National Republican., 1883-11-30
cAnsrArns, MCCALL & Co.'s Famous orator
DEADLY PERIL AvERTED.
ConkIing's wonderfully Eloquent Speech
Before the Electoral Commission.
Lciltr % Me WhecIlng Re0lsltT.

Letter to he Whectng Register
At midnight we were furthSr than ever
from an agreement on the electoral lcommis-
sion bill, which had long before taken shape
and become the definite object Of our labors.
Mr.. Morton had just finished one of his un-
yielding, irritating efforts, and all hope
seemed lost. Then Mr.. Edmunds made the
formal statement, in behalf of the senate
committee, that the latest proposition of tho
house committee-it doesn't matter what it
was-could not bo accepted. Mr.. Edmunds
was the spokesman of the senate committee,
and as he finished IL seemed thoro was moth
ing for us to do but to go back to tho house,
report our failure, and let events take their
course But rs Mr.. Edmunds finished he
said, al believe Senator Conkling has some
thing to say to you."
SENATOR Conkling, who was sitting o little
in the background, turned so as to face the
party, threw one log ovor tho arm of his
chair, and in tho most quiet, easy manner
possible began to givo his views. He spoke
for full twenty minutes, and do not think
ever listened to an address more eloquent
and effective. It is impossible for me to give
you an idea of what ho said, more than to say
he pictured the critical nature of our position,
the responsibility resting upon us, the destiny
Of the nation, that might fairly be said to
rest in the hands of the little group gathered
before him He spoke as nevor heard him
speak before nor since Though evidently
without any preparation whatever, and with
out the cooperation of q large audience, large
room or formal occasion, he sat there with
one leg over his chair and made On address
which seemed almost inspired. Every man
present listened to it almost without stirring
muscle, and when he had finished there was
silence for quite number of seconds.
mot to worry you with details, the in
huence of that address was such that in half
anshours time the disputed point had been
arranged, and the report recommending the
electoral commission bill had been signed by
every committeeman except Senator Morton.
you can imagine we all breathcd easier,
and retired to our homes in better spirits
than when we assembled. OF course none
of us had any moro reasons than before to
think our favorite presidential candidate
would be seated, but we felt great crisis
was past, and there would be no civil war
over the possession of the white house.
81 have always believed that had it not
been for the fortunate incident that
placed Mr.. Conkling on our COM
mittee, or If he had not made
that wonderful address the moro stubborn
faction of the republican party would have
gained the ascendency, and that meant worse
The senate would have met on the second
Wednesday in February, according to the
general law the house probably would not
have been present in quorum, but with or
without the presence of the house the presi-
dent of tho senate would have opened and
read the returns, including the alleged
formal returns from the disputed states and
declared Hayes and Wheeler elected The
house would have declared sTilden and
Hendricks elected. and so. recorded upon its
journal. The result would have been two
presidents and anarchy.