The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-24
FIGURES IN PUBLIC LIFE.
"Reminiscences of Events That Hap
pened Many Years Ago.

Did you ever think" said Governor
Crittenden. how little It sometimes takes
70 knock an orator off his feet? Some
thing less than fifty years ago George c.
vest went from Frankfort TO some lit
lie town between that place and Shelby
ylHe 10 make his first political speech In
detailing the matter to me he said he
thought he was ready for any emergency
or opponent. was loaded with facts fig
ures and rhetoric. Quite a crowd had
gathered before a small store to hear the
young man, some sitting on boxes, some
on Kegs and many on their launches
Vest said he felt In first rate order. Just
IN the right spirit to knock out everything
and anybody who might oppose him on
that occasion. that he had prepared a
Few candy sticks in sentences to catch
ths ears or the groundlings. AS he was
long, lank, freckle-faced fellow. about six
rect and a half high. arose from his
aouDled-up position and exclaimed as
he walked from the crowd Go n nv
peckerwood- This. said Vest came upon
him so Unexpectedly it completely Knock
ed from his mind his line OF Thought He
was unable TO proceed any further. at
once sitting down in the profoundest sor-
row. He made a vow he would never re-
turn to that village again II is well
known TO Vests old friends that his hair
IN those early days was as red as the
topknot of a peckerwood, and that made
the remark peculiarly fitting to him
] once saw General Butler knocked al
most speechless on the floor of Congress
by Simeon B. Chittenden. a member from
Brooklyn, by saying to the General when
he was addressing Congress: The gem
ueman from Massachusetts has been oc-
cupying much time in trying to persuade
THIS body that he is right and it is
wrong. which reminds me of the little
bull that planted itself on the track of a
railroad, to knock the locomotive into the
ditch. In few moments. 1t is said, the
little animal gathered its bruised rem
nants up in the ditch as best IL could say
ing az 1t hobbled OF: Much bravery. but
damn poor judgment" Butler receiving
the remarks in good humor, took his seat
almost GREATNESS, and the lower he got
down into his seat. the more he laughed.
Few orators could get the advantage of
old Ben, anywhere. or in any kind of a
'scrimmage' in words He was always
strong, aggressive. and cool
Il think Gen. Ben Butler was the hes,
posted man on all questions before Con-
gress i ever saw. Now and then some
Congressman inferior to him in brains
and information, got the advantage of
him. but he more often came off victorI-
Gus In that arena. He and Sam Cox once
got Into one of those lorg running de-
bates on the floor OF Cong ress each often
putting questions to the other in the most
pertinent and brilliant way II was
Damascus blade against Damascus blade
At last Cox put some worrying questions
to him. leaving his seat to do So with a
CLEAN in his eye as IL saying. Now, old
fellow. I've got you where you must con-
Tess or surrender Butler, being tired of |
does on it's rey. and said, Shoe fly, don't
bodder me- From the very manner in
which it was said. and coming upon the |
House so unexpectedly. the House burst
into one prolonged laugh. Right there
and then. as Uncle Remus says. Cox lost |
his money bag. and he wilted as IL an ice
shower bath had fallen suddenly on his |
little person. Butler walked over and |
him upon his defeat Both |
had good laugh over il and both retired |
at once, as If hunting some place that |
Mrs. Nation would smash with a l
Ratchet"
This reference to Cox reminds me of |
an incident told by that gentleman him
self. Senator Baysrd and myself said
Mr.. Cox. were 20 speak Mt Albany. We |