The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-04-26
CONKLING'S SPEECH.
Brilliant Scene in the Senate.
The Democrats COMPOUNDED by
the New York Senator.

BOSTON April PA Washington special to the
Advertiser says yesterday was one that will ever be
memorable in the parliamentary history of this coun-
try, aud will take rank with those historical occa-
sions in the old Senate when Webster Clay and CAL
houn were there. OF Mr. Conklings speech it is con-
coded by friend and foe, Democrats and Republicans
alike, that it is beyond question the greatest effort
of his life. MIR. Conkling, when he took the floor,
found himself surrounded by an audience composed
of the leading public men OF the nation. Mr.. Ev-
arts in the front of the diplomatic gallery;
Secretary Sherman and Attorney General Devens
occupied seats on the outer of the Republican
side while to his left, among the Democrats were
Secretary Thompson, who sat next to Mr.. Voorhees,,
and Secretary Schurz, who stood few feet be-
hind him. Mr.. Rogers, the Presidents private Sec
retary was also present. The four members of the
administration were among the most attentive lis
teners. Every Senator in his seat, and all
turned toward the speaker the moment he addressed
the chair; and for the three hours that he spoke
with two exceptions, they followed him with the
closest attention to the end The exceptions were
Mr. Beck of Kentucky, who, after Mr.. Conkling had
been speaking for some time, apparently apprehend.
ing from the tenor OF Mr. Conklings remarks that he
was about to quote his famous speech, and not de-
string controversy against such an antagonist
quietly rereated to the cloak ROOM and Mr.. Groome
of Maryland, who has seldom remained five minutes
in his seat since he became Senator and who spent
most of his time az usual in running all the
chamber, whispering in the ears of senators and
members, greatly to their annoyance.
In the rear of the chamber swarmed members of
the Representatives Every sofa from the cloak-room
was brought into requistion; then chairs from the
committee rooms, until at last ex-Secretary Rebeson
General Garfield and other prominent members of
the House compelled to take seats in the area
in front of the desk. The galleries were packed so
densely that would have been impossible to sea
another human being in them. In the Senator'S gall
ery ladies filled the aisle, and even the door was
opened that those who could not enter might catch
the words of the orator in the corridor beyond The
halls and obbes themselves were thronged by disap-
pointed hundreds who had exhausted all means of
obtaining admission. An incident that attracted
general attention was the entrance of General Sher-
man while Mr. Conkling was referring to the REBEL
ion. The general at first stood in the central aisle,
but few PAGES from Mr.. Conking, but was soon af-
ward escorted by Senator Davis of Illinois his own
seat in the front row, while the judge himself sat in
of the chairs of the Associated Press reporters
facing the audience. 1t was, perhaps, unfortunate
that the judge should have placed himself in this
conspicuous position for subsequently he was the OBJ
ject of Conklings keenest thrusts The presence of
General Sherman, too, became more marked by Mr.
Conklings allusion to him by name in connection
with his famous march "trom Atlanta to the sea-
1t was four O'Clock when the speech terminated,
and Mr.. Conklng appeared as fresh and strong as
| when he began. For five minutes after he ceased
speaking he held levee Senators and Representa-
| tives focking around him and shaking hands with
| him. The Democrats remained in their seats as if
| spel-bound. No one rose to reply; the argument
was unanswerabe. AT night the great speech was the
uppermost topic of conversation everywhere. Mr..
Hamlin Of Maine, who first became Senator in 1s49
declares that it the best delivered in the
Capitol. The Democrats are now completely demon.
| allied, and not even their leading men have the
slightest idea of what their will be after the
President vetoes the army bill, which he will certain
y do 1t impossible to do justice to this speech in
brief summary. 1t was very plain to the vast audi
ence that the Democratic leaders were deeply dis
| turbed by the argume mt.