The daily gazette., 1879-07-15

until the silence was almost PAINFUL.
Then Allen began his speech. Never
once did he allude to Murphy's attack.
but with all the earnestness of sincere
conviction he discussed the questions of
the day. The crowd, which had laughed
him to scorn before he began, listened
entrsnced before the speech was ended,
by which time it was evident that his
triumph was complete. lie was elected
by one majority over Governor Near
thur, Murphy receiving only fifty
four votes. The seat was contested by
Macarthur, it is said, too, with much
personal feeling, and Governor Nc
Arthur's daughter, to whom Allen was
betrothed, broke the engagement and
married Colonel Coons, Of Louisiana.
While Mr.. Allen was in Congress from
1888 TO 1886 he served on the Committee
ON Indian Affairs, but in the debates he
was looked upon as valuable suppol ter
of the Administra alton. Before his term
expired he was renominated by the
Democrats. In speaking Of his early
career Governor Allen was fond of re-
lating one of the incidenes Of his second
| Congressional campaign. An appoint
ment was made for a joint debate at
| Portsmouth, where the Court was sitting.
Mr.. Bond, his op onent, began and hav-
| ing consumed nearly all the time quietly
ole away to Washington Court-House
seventy five miles of, where handbills
announced that he would speak the next
day. In addition it was announced that
Allen was afraid to meet bis opponent in
debate and his absence lent color of
truth to the report. His friends sought
/ \ ~ A I
len e. Thurman, sent messenger to
him at Portsmouth. The messenger ar
riv-d just at nightfall of the day before.
Bond was to speak at Washington Court
House and heavy rain had swelled all
the streams and made the roads almost
impossible. Mr.. Allen, however, could
not be d'ssuaded from attempting the
Journey. Mounting his horse he rode
out into the night and found the roads
getting worse every m ment, for it was
still. steadily raining. Hepushed on un-
Ill he came to the Scioto River, risen out
of itS banks over the surrounding coun-
try. The ferryman's house was on the
opposite bank, and when loud cries
awakened him he appeared only to re-
port that his boat was out Of condition
ami could not live IN the current. Mr..
Allen asked about the ford, and was in
formed that 10 feet of wafer was rushing
over it. He determined to swim his
horse over the stream, and bidding the
ferrymau go to the ford and hold high bis
lantern as a guide he rode in, and after
much effort gained the other bank. The
ferly lyman cried "Thank God and Gen
eral Jackson" He reached Chillicothe
by breakfast time, wet TO the skin, weary
and almost famished. Dry clothes and
breakfast made him ready for the hust
ing and before the speaking began h
was at Washington Courthouse, whe :,
he exposed the f aud that had bee
! perpetrated upon him with great effect
The Administration was PARTICULAR
weak In the district just then becaus
, the mail service was not such as met tn
T needs of the people, and Consequent
Allen as an Administration man wa
heavily handicapped and beaten by 20t
, | votes.
It is said of him that when he wa
3 about to leave Washington at the ex
] piration of his term he went to bid good
by to President Jackson who expressed
: much sorrow to lose him, and calling T.
, | his Sc cretaIy a,ked for his appointment
l DOOhs w uCu IL Wdo OiOuSuU nC tdi
: TO Allen and said, "Mr. Alien, want t
r keep you in public life. Run your ey
n through that book and see what plac
!. you think would suit you" Withor
hesitation the defeated Congressman II
h piled 81 am very much obliged to 20
: Mr.. President, more obliged than l ca
, tell you but l cannot now and l
> not think ever Will accept any office b
, appointment. If l am to stay in publ
q life it must be in position to which th
i people elect me-" "You are right, sir,
. said the President in his characteristic
way, and closing the book parted wit
3 the jealous young Democrat with war;
expressions Of regret.
Returning to Chillico he he spent I'll
next year in the quiet practice OF. his pr
fession, but the succeeding year WI
q pretty well occupied in a canvass of I'll
i State for Martin Van Buren, against Gel
eral Harrison. The Democrats keI
, the State Legislature by one majorit
a aud Allen was chosen as Senator, b
q term beginning March 4, 1887. There
!, story that Mr.. Allen sought admissio
; at the White House the night before b
n took his seat, to be refused admlssio
q till he insisted on his name being take
v to the President, when Jackson came
: the door to admit HIM and sitting dow
: together they talked out the close of I'll
q Administration while Jackson smoke
q his cherished cob-pipe and told his plaI
! for rebuilding the Hermitage, retir
a ment to which he was contemplatin
+" With hearty Godspeed from his frien
e aud party leader, Mr.. Allen was tt
O next day sworn in to sit for six yea
l. of the stormiest sessions the America
o Senate had yet seen. His past expe
g ience in Congress, his intimate relation
4 with the Administration and his hie
n standing in the body, holding the pos
"a ton of Chairman of the Committee {
= Foreign Affairs, brought him early int
prominence. The beginning of his ter
4, of office turned upon the new Sub-Tre
"a sury law, and at latter date the attemI
.. ed reestablishment Of national banl
% was the prominent feature of debat
a. Upon both questions Mr.. Allen was
h. strong supporter of the Administrator
p Joining with Senator Benton in the su
r, port OF the traditionary policy Of the d
g. mocratic party.
a At the close OF his first term Senate
=, Allen was reelected and retained his Sc
o. accordingly for twelve years. bridgil
IL the administrations of Van Buren,, Hi
m risou, Tyler and Polk, retiring with @
Is CLOSE of the last administration. 1t W
o. during the last A dmi INSTR alton that
IN came most prominently before the cou
r. try In the debates on the Oregon bou
:. dary throughout which Senator All