Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-03-17
wednesday Evening March. IL, 1850
WASHINGTON LETTER.
speeial corre.pondenee OF tho Ledger ]

Cptclhl correspondence OF tue LtuBtTsI
WASHINGTON, D. c., March H.
Among the many men who gave re-
nown to the talent and the force of
English eloquence-in which l include
alike the Scotch and the Irish-there
was a man who made but one speech.
In a noted work recording the loren
sic eloquence of England's greatest
orators he is mentioned, and this
specimen of modest, though elegant
oratory, is yet known as " his first, his
last, his maiden speech, his dying ef-
fort. In this cliosophic tribute, it is
not beyond the province Of a discreet
criticism to recognize the excellence
and award the merit due the genius of
such a mind, novel and even extraor-
binary as it was then and may have
been adjudged since. During the
three months of a session of more
than usual stupidity, in so
far as o%ratorical juego is con-
cerned, and with a timidity of
characteristic, though lamentable
errors, grievOus iodeed, it truly is
a relief to hear once more the peal Of
sublime utterance and witness the
flash of manly talent their warning
truth of sentiment and unchecked
strength of logic. | allude to the
speech which Hon. John +. House. of
GAINESVILLE, made last Tuesday in the
house, in favor of the bill to prevent
federal oficeholders contributing
money for election or other political
purposes. In years gone by | have
listened to this mar on the stump and
in the court room. His utterances
ever clear, his thoughts always grand
and his manner never wanting 10
dignity, long since gave me an opinion
in accord with his majestic character
as a man, his qualities as a counsellor
and his attributes as a citizen
fitted for the highest duties
and most exacting obligations in
public life. This speech, which many
uuhesitatingly pronounce. the mos,
faultless effort of Tennessee's mos,
brilliant orator, is worthy the careful
consideration of every citizen inter
ested in his country and the perpetu-
alton Of her civil institutions. 1t is
not initiative; it is not sycophantic: il
is not untrue; IL is not whimsical; it il
not prosaic Look where we may, and
search the annals of congress, but no
where can be found a speech more
profound in its truth, more apt in its
illustration, and more cruelty Just in
its arraignment Of the guilty men who
disgrace American civilization, and
add infamy to the wrongs already done
to the institutions Of our country.
When MIR. House made his speech
he was heard. There is a
great deal of meaning in
these words, He was heard. -
The whisky soaked members. the
round bellied and the gaunt, the ner
vously impatient and the guerulous
dyspeptic, as well as the numerou.
brain warts aud compounds of egotisu
and political imbecility gave him theil
attention. 1t was a homage which
true intellect compelled. This Of itsel
was not a compliment merely, but /,
triumph. His bold attack Of Hayes
Sherman and the rest who have pur
jured their own vows and prostitute,
official positions tn the most debasin.
purposes, was as powerful as it wa
unexpected. By this speech Nj
House, with common consent and nm
exceptional acknowledgment, ha
seated himself at the very head of hi
party. And in this achievement h
has not been assisted by the dig
nifty or Importance Of a CON
mittee chalrmanship. Unhapil
be does not have sue
a steed, for when the house of repre
s~eutatives organized last March. III
proprietor of the democratic liver
stable did not see fit to give him
horse to ride his way to distinctio
aud eminence. However, he has game
the goal, and his speech now receiv,
the attention which true merit an
undaunted talent always commau
from the press. The leading paper
both democratic and republican pa
much attention and give to his speed
the criticism always bestowed IN Il
productions of great mind. 1t is
noticeable fact hal the New Yol
Tribune, in order to detract from Il
rightful effect which this speech mu
have, for se~venty.fve thousand eopi
have been ordered for distribute
the democrats, saysi 1t was ma,
in the interest Of Tilden. If an III
truth could diminish the effect
such q speech by classifying the pu