The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-21
Tn the House of Representatiyes.

quietus upon the introduction of bills, and an
nounced that it was the hour for the House to
proceed to elect United States senator to sue
coed the Hon. Daniel w. Voorhees, BE-
fore subsiding into his seat the
Speaker stated that he would recog-
nize Mr.. Debs the representative from
Vigo county, whom the Democrats had selected
in caucus to present the name of their candidate.
the House. The honor of making the first NOM
mating speech in behalf of his party was accord
ed him by customary courtesy because the homo
of the Democratic candidate is in the county
that he represents. He does not possess any
exceptional oratorical gifts, but he speaks delibe
rately and distinctly, and has rather pleasing
voice. His speech was delivered from manu-
script, and was regarded as a creditable effort
His remarks were as follows
MIR. Speaker-A privilege in connection with
my duties as a member of this House, which
esteem an honor of high consequence, has fallen
to my lot, and | shall ask the generous indul-
gence of the Chair and of my fellow representa-
tives while, to the best of my ability, respond
to request well calculated to embarrass men
of more years and experience than can boast.
need not state to this House, as matter of
information, that the important duty of electing
United States senator, to be the sue
cessor Of the Hon. Daniel w. Voorhees,.
devolves upon this General Assembly could
not hope, did the agreeable task have assumed
require it at my hands, to enliehten this House
in regard to the superior abilities necessary to
enable a senator of the United States to meet
all the high requirements of his Office, and
worthily discharge its serious duties. The
merest reference to such subjects is
suggestive of qualities of head and heart
which should command the reverence of
the people | am aware that there have been,
in the common acceptance of the terms, good
men who were not great, and great men who
were not good, but | have learned from the
lessons of history. Notwithstanding the fraiities
of human nature and the imperfections OF the
methods of government. that in the lottery of
politics do very often become the favorites of
fortune and in taking the chances, secure for
their servants the right men, and in all matters
pertaining to the welfare of the state, such men
may be properly designated as the highest prizes,
since there can be nothing better. nothing of
greater value i'll government than the right man
in the right place 1t cannot be expected that
the people. however intelligent and sincere. will
always secure for places of great responsibility,
men distinguished for talent energy, courage and
virtue. but such great and good fortune is often
bestowed and when obtained. the people, if
qualified to appreciate the blessing will unite im
patriotic determination to perpetuate it, The
man who in public life, has been proved and
tested who again and again has passed through
the ordeal of temptation without scar or hlerl-
ish, becomes public benefactor, defyng the
ordinary methods of computation whereby to
estimate his value to the state and wisdom and
patriotism win universal applause when the peo-
pie retain such men in official positions.
Mr.. Speaker, shall not detain this House by
an extended reference to the lives the characters
and the deeds Of the distinguished men who
have represented Indiana in the Senate of the
United States We frequently hear men who,
in speaking of the past, deplore in comparison,
the degeneraey of the present. / shall stop no
longer than to say am not in sympathy With
their vagaries. In the month of November, 1877,
James ID. Williams, then Governor of Indiana,
appointed Daniel W. Voorhees, as the successor
of Oliver p. Morton, deceased, to represent In
diana in the United States Senate. The
name and fame of Morton had filed
the land. His great abilities had
made him the leader of his party in the
Senate. 1t was thought to be no ordinary re-
sponsibility to occupy the place made vacant by
the death of Morton. 1t was deemed a hereulean
task to maintain the advanced position of the
State which the admirers of Mr.. Morton claimed
was due to his mastery powers but, sir, / do
but repeat the truth of history when say, that
as soon as opportunity offered, Mr.. Voorhees,
came to the front in speech which triumphant
y vndicated the prescience of Governor Will
1ams, speech which electrified the nation by
the profundity of its craftsmanship, the majesty
of its grasp and the overwhelming power of its
arguments and eloquence and whatever else
may be said of the sad event. the fame of Indi-
ana did not wane by the death of Morton.
Voorhees, caught the standard as it fell from
Mortons hands, and the whole country, as he
bore it aloft in the fierce contest between mo-
mopolists and the people, with united voice
gave him an ovation of gratitude In
1878 Democratic Legislature ratified tho
wisdom OF Governor Willlamss appoint
ment by electing Daniel w. Voorhees, to seat
in the United States Senate, and for nearly six
years he has, in manner worthy of the highest
commentator, maintained his OVID andtIndianas
renown in that august body. His term expires
on the 4th day of March next and now, Mr.
Speaker, nominate Daniel w. voorhees, to DO
his own successor in tina Senate of the United
States for the ensuing term
mr. Speaker, the fact that am one Of the
representatives of Vigo county, the home of Mr.
voorhees,, is doubtless the reason why the honor
has been given me to nominate him for senator,
and though am among the Youngest members
of this House, with legislative experience as
limited as that of any other member, am
neither so Juvenile nor unschooled as not be
familiar with tho scholastic attachments, the