The Van Buren press., 1879-01-07
Senator Garland.

1 SSNuNo' ~"
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From "pcn and Ink Sketches of En-
incnt Public Men, written by l.. d. In
gersoll, and appearing in the Washing
ton Republic, Of the 22d ult, we extract
the following sketch OF Hon. A. II Gar.
| land
Senator Garland took his seat in the
Senate so recently as mt the beginning of
the present Congress. lie has not yet
had time, therefore, to show his strong
points in that body. For, be it known,
no man, however eminent he may have
bcen elsewhere, can become prominent
in the Senate except after considerable
experience in the chamber. Two nota-
bic instances, showing this fact, must be
stated. The first was in the case of the
distinguished Stephen A. Douglas, of IL
linois. He had, tor some time, been n
leading member of the House, and ia
nous throughout the country, when he
was elected to the Senate. Young, am.
bilious, and impetuous, he undertook to
" run things" in the Senate. His very
first attempt was dead failure. Under.
taking to bring upa measure and "push
it through he was astounded at these
words, rs they came swelling up from
the profound of Webster's deep voice :
That is not the way the business of the
Senate is conducted Douglas sat down.
A little later he made a similar attempt
and meeting with a similar fate, took n
back seat, and thereafter gradually won
his way to tho front. The other exam
pie Is In the case Of Senator Blaine.
When he entered the Senate there was
not man in that body so distinguished
AS he not statesman in the country so
popularin all parts Of the republic. And
yet it is only yesterday, as it were, that
he took Il prominent a leading part in
that body. Up to the present session,
he was no more prominent than dozen
Senators whose immortal fame will van
ish into thin air long before the close Of
the present century.
Senator Garland, in keeping pretty
quiet, thus far, is only complying with an
immcmorial usage of the Senate. But
he has seen n good deal Of public life,
though still only about forty five years
of age. Mr.. Garland was a member of
that provisional congress. which met
at Montgomery, Alabama, in May. 1861,
and instituted the so-called " ConfedeT
ate government. Later, he served the
same government in either branch of its
Congress, being a member oil its Senate
when the thing was smashed by the Un-
ion victory. He never
talks much about Arkansas Post. In
1874 he was elected Governor of Ark
ansas. He filled the office with general
acceptability to people Of all parties.
Very much more than this, he filed it
with exceptional ability, manifesting an
executive capacity and progressive,
liberal spirit, which, so far as know,
have not, of late years, been approach
ed by any Southern governor except
Gov. Chamberlain, of South Carolina.
Senator Garland is a lawyer by pro-
fcssion, and is universally recognized as
one OF the ablest men of the American
bar. His argument in his own case, in
volving the constitutonaity of the test
oath act as to lawyers, is most admira,
bic proof Of his power and skill In rca.
soning. The famous case is reported in
the fourth volume Of Wallace's Supreme
Court Reports. He is man of classical
education and large culture. In person
he is tall, well-formcd and good lookup
ss~ ~~c~r. no Vcrro. re ms 4 certain
benignant expression of countcnance
which is exceedingly pleasing. Few men
are more interesting in conversation. No
,,,,,, ,hnl hio
litical integrity that | ever heard of. He
is as perfect gentleman as the sun
shines on. If, with the exception of
Mr.. Bayard, there is a more able or bet
ter man in the Senate from all the old
slave States than A. IL. Garland, he has
failed to make it known. Al the proper
time Mr.. Garland WILL in the simple
course Of his duty let everybody know
that this opinion is correct.