New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-05-21

elOquence He was opposed to the bill, but not to
the men. He was in favor of the private soldier
who suffered as much as the officer. Some OF the
citizens of Illinois say that his speech was to turn
the tide now gathering i'll Illinois in favor of Cen
eral Logan the other way General Logan having
written a hgh-sOundBg letter i'll favor of Shields,
and obtained much local credit for it among the
Illinois soldiers.
Senator Blaine followed in a short, ringing speech
in favor of including General Grants name in the
bill and during the debate be spoke in the most
earnest manner in behalf Of the ex-General. He
seemed to sodiGy the Republican vote, and the
amendment was carried by one majority-feas,
20 nays. %. Only Republican (Mr. Oglesby)
voted against the amendment One Democrat IMr'
Lamar voted i'll favor of it.
A long discussion followed, which was frequently
amusing. 1t was surprising to see how warmly the
Democrats spoke of General Grant, and how they
refused TO vote for him. They all respected him. but
did not want to put him on the retired list until the
proper time, which they explained being when
he becomes old and poor and broken down.
Mr.. Cockrell made a speech full of bathos which
was ridiculcd even by his Democratic friends
Judge Davis made the most sensible speech of the
day. urging that in no sense is General Shields en-
titled to 90 on the retired list The retired list he
argued is for old officers whose lives have been.
worn out in the service and he showed that DOM
in the Mexican War and in the Rebellion Cen
eral Shields served only four years There are
thousands OF officers all the country, he said,
who are certainly deserving and he could not vote
to place this soldier in special rank to the neglect
of Others. During Senator Davis's speech he con-
fessed that his politics sit very easy on him.
Senator Hill made very humorous speech, and
like all the Democrats, spoke well of General Grant,
He SAID he did not believe General Grant wanted to
retire NE wouldn't retire during the war: the SEN
aOr wished he YOuld retire if he would retire the
Senator would try to vote for him, especially If
he would retire to private LIE. The senator
thought some people on the other side would he
glad TO have General Grant retire; and this created
a good deal of amusement at the expense of the
Presidential candidates on the Republican side.
Mr.. voorhees, was another who spoke faNorabIy OF
General Grant, but like the rest he thought the TINE
had not come to place the General on the retired
first prepared by Mr.. Sargent for the retired list.
and read the names over and sarcastlcaly
commented upon them. When he spoke
of General j. 7. Butler being on the
retired list there great laughter; and when
General SchurZS name was reached he inquired
what kind of a retired officer he would bel Al this
there was another shout Of laughter.
During lhe whole discussion General Butler and
General Logan We're present and seemed 10 ENJOY
the scene. The utmost good nature prevailed
words tomorrow. Senator Conl,ling had the floor
when the Senate adjourned and will re-
ply pretty sharply, it Is thought, to the speech
of Senator Thurman, who spoke last. The debat"
to-day had two significant features. First, the
Democrats quickly masscd their vote against Gen
era Grant and secondly, senator Blame took the
lead III the debate in General Grants favor, warmly,
cordially and effectively.