The San Francisco call., 1895-10-13

General J. B. Fry and his relations with
the Department of War, Conkling having
attacked General Fry and the Maine Con-
gresham having warmly defended him.
The question required on three succeed
ing days, each day accumulating fresh bit
terness of feeling. Conkling's manner
throughout it all was irritating and over
bearing in the extreme, until at the close
Blaine's genial temper quite gave way and
the incident was closed by the following
fierce argumentum ad hominem:
As to the gentlemans s cruel sarcasm, I
hope be will not be too severe. The con-
tempt of that large-minded gentleman is
SO melting his naughty disdain, his grand
Eloquent swell, his ma jestic. supereminent,
overpowering, turkeygobbler strut. have
been so crushing to myself and all the
members of this House, that / knew it was
an act of the greatest temerity for me to
venture upon a controversy with him"
Referring to chance newspaper COM
parison of Mr.. Conkling to Henry Winter
Davis (Which he interpreted satirically),
Mr.. Blaine continued:
The gentleman took the comparison
seriously ana it has given his strut addi-
tional pomposity. The resem blance is in
deed great, it IS indeed striking. Hyperion
to a satyr, Thersites to Hercules, mud to
marble, dung-hill to diamond, a singed
cat to Bengal tiger, a whining puppy to
roaring lion. Shade OF the mighty Davis,
forgive the almost PROCLAMATION of that
jocose satire"
Conkling sat silent under the scourge,
but he never noticed Blaine thereafter
during the twenty years of the formers
life, nor even mentioned the name of his
hated rival, though serving with him for
years in both houses of Congress. Blaine,
however, cherished no such bitter antag-
onism and was willing at any time to make
such overtureS toward reconciliation as
could be made with dignity and honor.
While Blaine was the Republican candi-
date for President in 1884 friends strove to
bring about reconciliation between the
two leaders. AT that time Mr.. Blaine said
to the peace-makers that he would be
happy to invite Mr.. Conkling to be the
guest of honor at the finest dinner he
could arrange, if they could assure him
that the invitation would be accepted. The
committee departed, but were unable there
after to give Mr.. Blaine the desired as
surance.
PROCTOR KNOTT CRUSHED.
The most thrilling episode in Blaine's
political career was his notable defense of
his character in the House Of Representa-
tlves IN 1876, after having been charged
with dishonesty III the matter of obtaining
certain railroad bonds, the matter having
become the object of investigation and
The plot was to break down Blaine in the
Republican National Convention, then
about to assemble. One Mulligan had OBJ
taine6 package of Blalne's private letters,
which he was about to bring before the
committee, and it was given out that their
effect would be to blacken Mr.. Blaine's
reputation beyond hope of restoration
In an interview with Mulligan, Blaine
secured the letters by force, and the
next day made in the House of Rep
resentatives what was probably the most
remarkable speech of his life. One by one
he took up the charges and demolished
them. Aroused to flaming anger by the
maievolence of the attacks upon his repu-
tation, he spared not his enemies in the
shriveling heat of his righteous indigna-
tion. He proved by conclusive argument
that his private letters could not be sub
penaed by the investigating committee
for use against him. The climax of the
dramatic scene was reached when Blaine,
advancing to the desk of the House, con-
tinued:
Now. Mr.. Speaker 1 have defied the
power of the House to compel me to pro-
duce these letters. / speak with all re-
spect to this House. know its powers, and
thrust l respect them. But say this House
has no more power to order what shall
be done or not done with my private cor
respondence than it has with what I shall
do III the nurture and education of nv
children; not particle. The right is as
sacred In one case as 1t in the other. But
sir, having vindicated that right, standing
by 1t, ready to make any sacrifice in de-
tense of it, here and now, if any gentleman
wishes to take issue with me on behalf of
the House, | am ready for any extremity
or contest in behalf so sacred a right.
Now, while [ am so | am not afraid to
show the letters. Thank God Almighty,
am not afraid to show them. There they