The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-04-17
ONE VIEW OF SENATOR QUAY.

Says DIR. Edward Bedloe, to the Chca.
go Times Herald There Is disposition
IN the middle states to regard Senator
Quay's candidacy for the nomination for
president as in some sense jest. DO not
think 1t. There are no elements of joke
about it. Neither in any mark or point
does Quay answer the description of a
favorite son. He has been for years
as broadly as the nation extends. There
Is no Republican principle to which he
does not adhere, and let me say right here
that his views are not at all uncertain.
His position Is known. Quay never
lodged or ducked in his life; he has not
said one thing here and another there: he
has not advanced principle or a propo-
sition in congress and disowned 1t on the
stump. 1t Is not necessary to put him un-
der oath and take his deposition to get
Ideas. He is hiding nothing. He would
make a strong candidate, and of his sue
cess no man who understands him or the
situation would hazard doubt.
"Quay's courage has always been a dis
tinguishing trait. He combines both the
moral and the physical sort. He resigned
his command of "A Pennsylvania regiment
on account of long continued weakness
which made it impossible for him 10
survive three months more field expert
ence. The acceptance Of his resignation
came the day before Fredericksburg. He
had gained repute as warrior who did
not know fear, and his fellow Officers en-
deavOred to keep him out of the fight
He would not listen to any arguments.
but insisted he would not turn his back on
his men when the lines were arranged for
trouble. He was conspicuous in the
bloody day of Dec. l3, 1862, and rode in
the six times repeated charge of the ter
rible heights of St. Marye Seven thou
sand federal soldiers lay dead on the
pathway to the confederate works Weak
and sick as he was, Colonel Quay was in
the thick of the smoke.
"Aid-de-Camp Pearson says that where
ever the fire was hottest Colonel Quay
was riding, cheering his men on. When
an attempt was made by Il part of the fed
erals to restrain the advance of TylerS
brigade Colonel Quay brought order out of
what threatened to be disastrous confu-
sion.
Ride over them,' he shouted, and the
determination which the men of the One
Hundred and Thirty-fourth showed to
obey his order stopped all further attempt
to hold them back.
General Tyler give this eulogium Of
Colnel Quay's gallantry.' continued Dr.
Bedloe. "'Colonel Quay was upon my
staff as voluntary aid-de-camp, and TO
him am greatly indebted. Notwithstand-
ing his enfeebled health. he was in the
saddle early and late, ever prompt and eff
ficient, especially so during the engage
ment. In the charge on Marye's Heights
his coolness and gallantry were of a most
conspicuous character, such indeed as few
men in sound health could have equaled,
and such as never say eXcelled under any
circumstances. l but feebly express 1t
when / say his conduct commanded my
highest admiration. Not satisfied with his
labor of the afternoon, and, although so
weak from his sickness as to be scarce
ly able to travel, he remained In the field,
aiding in removing the wounded from un-
der the enemy's guns until after mid
night
Company +, of the One Hundred and Thir-
Y=fnurth. the company which had TWEEN,
ty-three out Of its tifty-twO men Killed or
wounded within the short space Of twelve
minutes. ~ ,,,,
by dismounting. but rode his horse to
within a few yards Of the WALL
; 1.-The GOODNESS of Colonel Quay. is well
shown in a remark which Captain Clark
ing made to reform the line near the
enemy's works, but under cover of pro-
tecting knoll. The confederate cannon
were roaring and the whistle Of the mus
ket balls could be distinctly heard: As
was quite natural, certain degree Of ter
ror pervaded the troops, and seeing its
manifestation in the efforts of some of the
men to more fully protect themselves.
Colonel Quay, who was aStride his charger
and making energetic efforts to restore
order. exclaimed:
"'Damn It, boys, what are you lodging
for; If can sit on my horse and the bull
let's go over my head, they certainly can't
hit you!
/ Il
"The personality Of such a, man Is in
teresting. He is not exactly the kind one
might expect him to be, solely from OBJ
serving his political career. He Is retir-
ing in manner, subdued and unsensational
in address. He Is domestic in his tastes.
and when ne Is not In the senate or en-.
gagged in political conferences he Is usually
to be found in his own home. There In his
family and among his books he passes
much time. He loves to entertain his
friends, who ever find there a spirit OF
wholesome hospitality. Those friends who
are admitted to the privacy OF his home
circle are few in number, but he Is at
tachad to them by. an affection rarely
found among men who are wrapped up In
public affairs. Quay Is student and
son, ethng of a hookworm. He has one
of the largest and most carefully selected
private libraries in Washington. 1t con-
tains about 10000 volumes, and little ex-
cept the highest gind of literature. He
buys every book that has to do with .he
history Of politics of his own country as
IL comes out, and there are probably not
half a dozen men In public life who are
SO thoroughly familiar as he with the po-
litical annals Of the United States"