The Washington times., 1901-12-01
Dramatic Events in Our National
History.
THE IMPEACHMENT TRIALS,
stormy Debates Preceded Dcciara-
ton Of Civil War-Impressivenes
of the Memorials TO the hartyred
Presidents-The Mckinley Services


tragedy that bereft the nation of its
President that Mckinley was Chairman
of the Committee on the part Of the House
at the memorial exercises held at the
Capitol In honor of James a. Garfield.
The eulogium was pronounced on that oc-
casion by James G. Blaine. and was es-
pecially beautiful and impressive.
AS the period for the conyening of the
National Legislature draws near, it is
natural to review some Of the notable
events that have transpired within the
walls Of Senate and House.
Perhaps the most stormy scenes enacted
in the legislative halls we're those which
preceded the declaration of war. The
great civil strife WAS foreshadowed and
accompanied by many events in Congress,
occurring at various times over consid-
cradle period. It was in the present Sen
ate ckzmbe. that Edward Dickinson
Baker. the Sen2tor-soldier from Oregon
delivered the brilliant speech which prov
ed to be his last utterance upon the hooF
Of Congress. with a zeal that never tir-
ed 3" writes Mr.. Sumner Of his brother
Senator. after recruiting men drawn by
The attraction Of his name in New York
and PhiladeIphia and elsewhere, he held
his BRIGADE known as the California Reg
iment) in camp near the Capitol, SO that
he psssed easily from one to the other,
and thus alternsted the duties Of a Sena-
for and a general" On the afternoon OF
August 1. 1851. ten days after the first
hattie of Bull Run. Mr.. Baker had enter
cd in the full uniform of colonel of the
United states army, and with his sword
laid across his desk. was listening to the
debate. when John C. Breckinridge, still
in the Senate. took the floor and began to
speak. with the poignancy Of which he was
master, against the insurrection and Sc
dition bill.
The soldiers eyes flashed fire as he
heard the words of the Kentuckian. and
upon the completion of the speech his
voice rang cut in answer and denuncia-
ton. What would have been thought"
he said, IF in another capital, in yet
more martial age. a senator, with The Ro-
man purple flowing from his shoulders.
had risen in his place, surrounded by all
the Illustrations OF Roman glory, and de-
clared that advancing Hannibal was Just,
and that Carthage should be dealt with
on terms of peace? What would have been
thought If. after the battle of Cannae,
senator had denounced every levy Of the
Roman people, every expenditure OF its
treasure. every appeal to the old recoliec-
tions and the old glories?" Mr. Fessen-
den. sitting by Mr.. Baker, exclaimed in
an audible undertone: He would have
been hs=led from the Tarpeian Rock!'
This melted the orator TO more powerful
utterance. Are not the speeches of the
Senator from Kentucky intended for dis
organization? Are they not intended to
destroy our zeal? Are they not intended
to animate our enemies? Sir, are they
not words OF brilliant, polished treason.
even in the very Capitol of the Repub-
Iic?"
SAYS writer in describing the scene:
The handsome face, the gallant figure,
the rich uniform, the correctness of the
iinproIuptu reply, and the fact that the
smoke of the guns was still in the air,
all combined to inspire the orator with
patriotic eloquence which makes the oc-
casion remembered today as one of the
most dramatic and effective in modern
times. The orator was killed three
months after his notable speech
The stormy scenes and stirring speech
es Immediately preceding the declaration
Of war with Spain are still well remem-
bered even by the younger generation.
The most famous impeachment trial in
country fnnly nj N
the Senate chamber On February 2l
1868. Mr. Coyode, of Pennsylvania, moved
the following resolution in the House Of
Representatives: Resolved, That An
drew Johnson. President Of the United
States. be impeached Of high crimes and
misdemeanors." 1t was carried by vote
Of I26 TO &. On March the Senate was
organized as a court Of impeachment. and
Salmon p Chase took the chair in ac-
cordance with the constitutional pro-
vision that when the President Il the
United States is tried, the Chief Justice
shall preside" The court was formally
opened for the trial on the 18th. The
vote, which was given on May rs. was;
For conviction. 30; for acquittal. 10. As
a twO-thirds vote is required by the Con-
stitutiGn to convict in such cases. the
President WIS acquitted by one vote. His
counsel were Henry stanberry, Benjamin
r. Curtis. Thomas a. r. Nelson. Jere-
mish 5 Black, and William M. Evaris.
Secretary Of War Belknap was impeachcd
in the Senate during President Grant s
aiministrati tion.
The memorial address on the life and
character Of Abraham Lincoln was deliv-
cred in the House on the 18th OF Feb
ruary. 1866 q the request Of both branch
IS OF the legislative body. The Marine
Band on this occasion occupied the ante
room behind the reporters gallery, and
diseoursed appropriate music.
on May Il. 1873, the remains Of Chief
Justice Chase were borne through the
5ronze doors OF the Senate chamber,
where The funeral services were conduct
ed. President Grant and his Cabinet were
in attendance. The Congressional funeral
ceremonies in honor of Charles Sumner
we're also held In the Senate chamber.
The pallbearers we're Senators Anthony.
sehurz. Sargent, Ogiesby. Stockton, and
McCrary.
At s o'clock on Thursday evening, jan
uary 16, 1879. the Senate and House as
sembled in the chamber Of the latter to
DO honor to the memory Of Joseph Henry
the famous Secretary Of the Smithsonian
Institution. Samuel J. Randall, as
Speaker. called the body to order, and
than r,roea-srd III. .,a,,cg Kfca progf