Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-04-02
THE BATTLE OF THE BOUQUETS.


We have all heard of the War of the Rose
that once devastated all England Recon
developments at Washington seem to indicate
a purpose Of naugurating Battle of the
Bouquets in this country, that, once COM
menced, will spread until it has ravaged the
whole nation from Maine to Mexico and from
the Atlantic to the Pacific, laying waste the
beautiful garden-spots that TEEN with color
and fragrance in every village and hamlet in
the land
The morning after Malone made his cee-
brated speech in the Senate formally taking
possession of the Republican party and attach
ing it as tail to his reputation kite, his desk
was found burdened with mammoth bouquet
consisting of rare exotics culled from the
White House conservatory. He smelt of it
and like dutiful husband sent it home to his
wife. Logan soon made speech, whereupon
his admirers sent to him a floral tribute con-
spicuous for brilliant colors and pungent
odors. Then Brown of Tennessee was reward
ed for the flowers of rhetoric in which he in
dulged with choice posies artistcally punched
together. Hoar, Dawes and VOORHEES, spoke,
and the echoes of their voices were
smothered by an avalanche of rosebuds and
japonicas, hel,otrope and heartsease. Then
Kellogg, of Louisiana, and H II, of Georgia,
mounted the forum and for a day or so battled
for their respective causes. The result was
dazzling. Kellogg was fairly smothered with
bouquets, while on the desk of Hill was
beautiful ship, with hull of fragrant exotics,
rigging of the frailest tendrils and cabin framed
of exquisite petals and rosebuds 1t was the
gift of Virginia ladies as a testimonial for the
able manner IN which the Georgian had de-
Tended the honor of the Old Dominion against
the sword of one of her own Senator's (which
had been treacherously pointed to pierce her
fair fame"
This rivalry-for to this complexion has it
come-is very pretty and sentimental. But it
is terribly exhaustive, at this season of the
year at any rate, upon the resources of the
greenhouses IN the vicinity of Washington
The President has the advantage over his COM
petitors in this as in almost every other re-
spect. He has a conservatory maintained at
the expense of the country at large, and to
which contributions from every foreign
country are constantly received. He will,
'AiSiSiOi|, W "oiS w supply tuc ucllduu
for bouquets for his partisans long
after the greenhouses of private
individuals have been denuded of
their blossoms, and besides can furnish
more costly and rarer varieties than are at the
command of private individuals. He has the
heaviest battalions, aud will be able to win the
battle, whether it be of long or short duration.
unless the surrounding country is appealed to
by the Democratic ladies for reinforcements.
The battle is an interesting one as far as it
has progressed. Unless halt is soon called
the public will be able to Judge of the number
and fervency of each Senator's adj
mirers by the number and magnif-
cence of the floral tribute that each
day adorn his desk. But if carried too far
there is danger of serious complications. The
Senate chamber will be turned into one gigan.
tic dollhouse. The presiding officer will moi
be able to tell from his seat whether he is beino
addressed by VOORHEES, or magnificent sun
flower; whether it is Hampton or full-blowr
peony that is asking recognition; whether it i:
Logan or some swarthy tropical plant that is
demanding attention; whether Conkling or {
proudly waving daffodil is endeayor
ing to be heard. Let these things be taken in
to consideration before the Battle of the Bou
quets has become so general as to enlist thu
whole country on one side or the other.