The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1897-01-16
jority; at least there was no voice raised
opposing the measure.

jority; at least there was no voice raised
opposing the measure.
General Cullom was new member and
had made no public appearance. He sat
in an obscure seat, unknown, scarcely
acquainted with a single man in the
house. He sent, by page "a note to the
speaker, asking if he would he recog-
nized in opposition to the bill. The
speaker responded that he would gladly
recognize him, but requested that he
should come to the center aisle.
The result was that the resolution, be-
ing Immediately put to the house, was
defeated by large vote. The speech OF
Cullom had changed the whole tenor OF
the clamoring majority and even won the
approval of the galleries. 1t was the first
time in the history of congress when a
single speech was ever able to defeat a
measure, backed by an enthusiastic ma
jority, bent upon its passage The signal
triumph for General Cullom was that it
was his first appearance upon the floor
of the house, and his first speech raised
him to the rank of the leaders and won
him national distinction.
Henry Clay was among those who
heard the speech and congratulated the
young congressman i'll person tie rec
ognized him as the ablest of the younger
members, the rising hope OF the Wing
party, then tottering OH its last legs.
Ever afterwards Clay and Cullo1n were
great friends, notwithstanding the
strained relations between Cullom and
Clay's oldest son, who was then in con-
gress.
General Cu1lom was intimate with the
great men of that period; was fond of
personal "reminiscences of them. Web
ster he regarded as the greatest man,
viewed from, the standpoint OF native
brain force, with whom he ever came IN
contact. Clay, however, was his person.
al friend, with whom he was actively as
sociated up to the time OF his death. lie
was with him during the latter days OF
illness, and closed his eyes and heard his
last whispered words.
In subsequent debates following the
Kossuth utterances and throughout his
career in congress Cullom sustained him
self with power and ability His great
speech was on the Kansas Nebraska bill,
and no speech during thar memorable
discussion was delivered with more con-
vi11cing force. In truth find in looking
over the Congressional Globe no other
speech in that debate at once so strong
and so stirring. 1t stamped him d great
debater. 3.f '>2e ~
Apart from his political career, he will
doubtless be remembered longest in his
capacity as lawyer and attorney gen.
eral. He is already tradition among
the lawyers of the state on account OF
the immense number Of amusing anec-
dotes told of him. They would fill a
book and make very entertaining vol
ume at that He was a strong lawyer,
though he read very little law. Books"
he said, 'twere made for FOOLS He went
at things first hand, without any artificial
aids. He had great and logical mind,
not a scholar, but primarily a man Of
power.
His career was wonderfully pictur-
esque, whether as lawyer or politician.
He had the ability to achieve great
things. He left his stamp unnistakably,
even though his achievement was scarce
ly proportionate to his abilities. Yet he
deserved and won a national distinction
and was indeed a "hoss in his day.