National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1878-02-15
W0MAN'S CORNER.
Edited by Fannie n. wari.



scntation and acceptance wis being enacted
between the donor Of picture that has besa
twelve long years awaiting an appropriation,
and our thrifty Congressman who magnani-
mously allowed q woman TO pay for It, each
in appropriate roles. as they say on the show
bills. 1t required no great stretch of imagin-
alton for the minds eye to see into the near fu-
ture, when our legislative halls, having female
representation, will daily show just such an
array OF grace and dignity, sense and sweet
ness.
Then no more boots tilted upon desk tops,
fewer bouts ut rhetorical mud singing, aud,
let us hope, less profanity, tobacco expectorat-
ing, "cold-tea" imbibing, and other masculine
amusements. In that good time coming" Of
course patriotism, and no longer perquisitcs.
will be the handspring OF action the strong
will no longer monopolize all the fat places,
and the offices will be inipartially divided; 20
II required still less Hight of fancy 10 picture
both male and female presiding officers
Speaker Randall In his accustomed place, and
Vice. President Wheeler, who sat beside him.
metamorphosed in a pull-back, with bewitch-
Ing crimps and breezy dTaperies!
The address of Hon. James A. Garfield On
that occasion was learned and polished ora
torical effort, full Of the beautiful SMILES and
fowery phrases which distinguish this ex-cler-
gyman's speeches, and always command attoa-
ton.
THE GREAT EVENT,
however, was the words spoken by the Hon.
Alexander II. Stephens, that wondered
spectre, bowed by years and shriveled by sick
ness, his withercd hands beating the air with
automatic gestures, aud his thin voice, anon
low aud unintelligibls, then piping up In
shrill trebles startling to hear. II Is sight
not soon to DO forgotten, to see him feebly
wheeling himself about in an invalid's chair,
| all cuddled up in great-coat and mufiles, hn
attenuated face pceping out like sick child
convales"ing from the measles; 1t needs but
one glance, however, at that pair Of luminous
eyes to know that great and deathless power
is within, . strong soul that has well nigh
worn through its fragile sheath. Here wM
the man, second in power and perhaps first in
influence OF the late Coniederacy, addressing
u united Congress scarcely twelve years alter
the cessation of hostilities and the abandon
ment Of the lost cause.
Think of the occasion that called for his
words--"Lincoln signing the proclamation
einancipating the slaves Of the South" Re-
member thsta Democratic Congress- controlled
| by Southern votes, not only accepted this eter-
| nal reminder Of the old bone Of contention,
but were chiyalric enough to have their gre; :
Bourbon representative return thanks there
| for, and conclude that at last the long feud 10
over, now and for all time. Selah
This remarkable statesman struck TO-
| sponsve chord in every heart when he extolied
| Lincoln AS great and good man, one Whose
nature o'erhoMcu WIN the MIX Vi huthaa
kihuhess, generous fh.Rh"h'uo"s, most ruIy
win malice toward none ana charity log
All. MI Stephehs was iht'n'a'eis ncqua,nten
ticth Congress, and spoke from no sentimental
standpoint, but with earnest sincerity.
AMONG THE LISTENERS
| sat Senator Hamlin, who was Vice President
| on this side the line, coptemporaneousl with
| Stephens on the other He is now seventy
wears old. has never been i'll a day in his life
never wore an oyercoat, and confidently ex-
| pects 10 represent Maine in the Senate at least
| to the beginning of the twentieth century.
| His partisan feelings are as strong rs they
were a quarter of a century ago, and, though
| he NAV bury the Ratchet" he will never for
get where IL lies
| Next sat Senator Howe, of Wisconsin, who
| Ia also fnst apnroachinp the limits of his an
| pointed three score years aud ten. During
| Tho war h. was Union" to the core, but Of
iats years has soft.ned considerably with the
| peopl. of hi. section toward the crring South.
| A scat beyopd rose the dignncd form u
| Senator Allison. of Iowa who during the " ON
| pleasantncss" WAS n vigorous organizer Of
| troops in his State
| On IN, left ali in n row, sat An illustrious
trio senators burnside Cameron and Barnum.
| all interested listeners lust beyond appeared
| She scholarly face and white locks Of General
Banks, of Red. River fame, while General Ben
iamin Butler 6dgeted restlcssly about the
aisIcs, for all the world like e big boy with .
hal full Of bricks and nothing to throw thora
at, senator Lamar occupied rather an undig-
ui6cd position, lounging on one elbow on the
steps of the rostrum' surrounded by pages aud
CLERKS but moi A word ESCAPED him, and the
busy brain behind those oyerhanging brows-
age Copqressmen-was evidently at work
Then there was Senators Gordon aud Hill
the former great G,vorite among the ladies