The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-01-12

more and more resolved TO speak. his
manner. when at last be arose, was very
quiet. His vOics was clear and low. He
spoke first from bis desk, on the extreme
republican right. As be became animated.
he advanced along the line until he had
reached the middle aisle.
This quiet, self-msintaiued lswy er-states-
man estOnished every one by his boldness
and aggression. His voice rang out with
The clear notes Of bugle. His knowledge
Of law and his grasp Of the facts IN the case
involved. showed him 90 be the match OF
any one in the Senate. His bearing In this
debate, keen, eager, aggressive and skillful,
placed him at once in the front rank in the
Senate.
One Of the most remarkable maiden
speeches made on the democratic side in the
House OF Representatives was by Mr.. La
mar OF Mississippi, afterward senator from
that state and Secretary OF the Interior, and
now Justice OF the supreme court.
Mr.. Lamar was closely identified with
the southern confederacy, and for several
years represented it as minister in Europe,
seeking recognition there. When he re-
ceived his political rights and was elected to
congress from Mississippi, he was wrong
fully classed as one Of the most uncompro-
missing men Of the south.
During the stormy reconstruction period
in congress, when mems passions ran high
anu AZ Nl4o udOdLeS IuhUT LUluRB were
said, the voice Of moderation was seldom
heard. After nearly a year in congress
without saying anything, tits new Missis-
sippi member arose and began to address
the House. The galleries happened to be
packed, owing to the unusually exciting
character Of the debates of that time.
Mr.. Lamar showed himself at once TO be
a man Of great force of character, unusual
powers OF expression and breadth of view.
He came forward to tender the olive
branch OF peace. He used no words which
could offend. He was the one Of the
first to declare the war to be a thing Of the
past whose bitter memories should be for.
gotten.
He was the prophet of the new south. He
said that the prosperity of the country de-
pended upon harmony and good will
between the two sections. Without that,
the. blood and treasure poured out in the
past were worse than wasted. He was will
ling to forget and to forgive; if the con-
quered could do this, surely the conquerors
could meet the vanished on taat ground.
This speech, which was one Of the noblest
addresses ever delivered in congress. was
telegraphed in full to nearly every news
paper in the land; and the Mississippi mem
Der, who the day before had been COMPARE
lively obscure. sprang at once into the ma
tion's notice.
Another maiden orator hitherto unknown
TO fame, who made his debut in congress.
was Congressman NJ of New York, The
impression created by his first effort was
quite of another Sort Though a republi-
can, he was elected-by acoident-from a
democratic district. The majority there
was so large that the republicans could with
difficulty find any one willing to become
candidate. Mr.. M was a clerk in the
New York custom house. The democrats
IN his district, becoming involved in quar-
rel, divided, and nominated two candidates.
This elected the republican.
The result was an overwhelming surprise
to MIR. M. He arose at once from OBJ
scurity 20 the honor of representing the
great city of New York in congress.
He took his seat at the time of sthe great
financial debates preceding specie resump-
tion. He was tempted to take part In these
debates, and prepared a financial speech.
The work OF the preparation and excite
ment of its delivery turned his mind; but
this was not discovered until a few weeks
after.
Then it was found that Mr.. M came
to the House nearly every day with new
speech, and sought to have it printed in the
Record without having delivered it. This
would not in itself have been an evidence Of
insanity, but other things came to the
surface. and board Of physicians who sat
upon his case found him hopelessly de-
ranged. The excltemeut attendant upon
sudden rise, complicated with the study Of
the financial question of the day, had
proved too much for his intellect. He died
several weeks after In the Government In
sane Asylum, composing financial speeches
up to thevery last hour of his life.