Wichita eagle., 1888-03-22
INGALLS, GREAT SPEECH.

and knowing that he was present and
heard Senator ingalls, speech before the
senate, representative of the Common
wealth called on Mr.. Williams and OBJ
tanned from him his impressions of the
effect Of the speech and whether there
was any occasion for an explanation OF
anything he said, as indicated in the open
letter of Colonel Finley Anderson, a
member of General Hancock's staff, to
Senator Ingalls,, which has been pub
lished in the dispatches. In answer to
question on this last point, which was
first put to him, Mr.. Williams said:
"Apologize, should think not. You
should have heard that speech 1t was
grand in character, eloquent, incisive
and made lasting and favorable impress
sion upon its hearers
There was the greatest crowd" con-
tinued Mr.. Williams, ito hear the speech
that have seen assembled in Washing
ton for twenty-five years. 1t was cleo
was attentive, absorbed; the gal
leries We're eager listeners and the
house had been abandoned to hear the
Kansas, if nothing more can be said, for
it showed the position to which John J.
Ingalls, had attained among the leaders,
statesmen, and politicians of the country
at the capital, where the consensus of
opinion becomes the political or eco
nomic idea for the rest of the country.
Mr.. Ingalls, was rapturously applauded.
His speech was received most cordially
and enthusiastically by old soldiers and
Republicans, and the Democrats and
the confederacy seemed fairly appalled,.
Blackburn reply in no sense rallied
them. When the speech closed, no ex-
ceptions We're taken to it. 1t was pro-
nounced master effort and Black
burns reply had no effect up
on the general and enthu-
siastic estimate of Mr.. Ingalls,
effort. 1t was superb audience, national
in character, and SO far as any reference
MIR. Ingalls, made to Hancock, no excep-
tons were acknowledgements exceptions
and mugwump comments were an after
BIRTH
Mr. ingalls, speech continued Mr.
Williams, emphaticplly and in an
earnest manner, twas accepted without
censure, without criticism and without
the thought of there having been made
any reply to it, or the possibility Of so
doing"
Why" said Mr.. Williams, ..that
evening at the National hotel. the head
quarters of the ex-Confederates, the
evidence of the effect of ingalls, speech
was apparent. They were blue crowd,
and made the air sui purous with their
plantations of the Republican party, and
Ingalls, as its foremost representative.
And | take it that the condemnation.
excited and vehement denunciation of
opponents, is the very best sort of praise
and approval after all
The fact is. Mr.. ingalls, cut to the
quick, left the Democrats appalled, and
unable to answer, and they could only
indulge in the argument of epithet and
profanity"
But the Hancock episode::'
''That, as | say, was an afterthought
to annoy Mr.. ingalls,. Black burns refer
ence had no effect. But to best convey
the impression made by Mr. Ingalls,,
read this, (handing over copy Of the
Washington Post). That is the admins
tration organ, and while abusing it tells
the story, the effect of Mr.. Ingalls,
speech. and gives the estimate in which
it is held as an unanswerable arraign-
ment, even by the enemy, who, conced-
ing that it was a masterpiece, abused it
because there is no hope or possibility of
its being refuted by the Democratic party
or any leader"
What effect will the speech have
upon Mr.. Ingalls, chances for the presi-
dency?'
Now" emphatically said Mr. VIII
liams, you are coming to the very point
about which | want to talk"
Let me say that Mr.. Ingalls-and
know whereof / speaks universally re-
garded in Washington as the ablest man
in public life. l have heard this state
ment made of him repeatedly-Republi
cans alone do not SO estimate, but Demo-
Gratis as well accord him the first place
and the leadership in the ranks of the
Republican party"
Il would like especially to impress this
fact upon the people of Kansas have
heard it on all sides repeatedly and then
again and again said, that if Mr.. ingalls,
lived in an eastern state there would be
no doubt about his nomination for presi-
dent by the Republican party.
Acknowledged by friend and
conceded by foe to he the ablest
man in public life to-day, both sides
naturally defer to him and accord to him
the merit of being the fittest man thus
far mentioned for the presidency. l am
giving voice to public opinion as It's
crvstalized in Washington, and would
say that if Mr.. ingalls, lived IN an eastern
state he would be the Republican candi-
date for president as sure as the conven-
ton met.
Il would say, too, despite whatever
objection there may be reasonably or I'M
reasonably entertaSned on account of
location, that Mr.. Ingalls, is generally
and most favorably mentioned for the
office. And l would say under the cir
cumStanceS | have never seen a more
level-headed man than he. l spoke
TO him personally about it, and he re-
piled. and l want you 10 catch /
it exact, that 1T was an office neither
TO be sought nor stunned y high I
Office as he says, it IS one to which man |
can honorably aspire and which if won |
can only be regarded as an honor that |
must be repaid by the best services and |
indefatigable industry, talents and time !
of the recipient of so honorable a gift at |
the hands of the people.
Mr.. ingalls,, however, is not at all af- |
fected by the frequent and prominent |
mention of his name in connection with |
the office. He is not. and would not |
take any step to advance his chances and |
is losing no rest nor sliced one way or the |
other about il.
KANSAS AND HER GREAT LEADER.
Il may say" continued Mr.. Williams.
that he, Senator ingalls,. is at sea as all t
others are about the situation, the out
LII he, -