The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1901-03-20

Der from Brooklyn, by saying to the
general when he was addressing con-
gress: The gentleman from Massachu-
setts has been occupying much time in
trying TO persuade this body that he is
right and ii 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 mo-
ments. it is said. the little animal gath
cred its bruised remnants up in the
ditch as best 1t could, saying as it hob.
bled off: Much bravery. but damn poor
judgment. Butler, receiving the re-
marks in good humor, took his seat al
most GREATNESS, and the lower he got
deWn 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.
think General Ben Butler was the
best posted man on all questions be-
fore congress L ever saw Now and
then some congressman, inferior to him
IN brains anC information, got the adj
vantage of MIN. but he more often
came off victorious in that arena He
and sam Cox once got into one of those
long running DEBATES on the floor of
congress, each often putting questions
to the other in the most pertinent and
brilliant way 1t 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 if saying, Now, old fell
low, I've got you where you must con-
fess or surrender.
Butler, being tired of the badgering,
turned on him as a lion does on his
prey, and said, Shoe fly, don't DOdder
me. From the very manner in which
1t 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
ms money bag, and he wilted as if an
ice shower bath had fallen suddenly
on his little person. Butler walked
over and CONGRATULATED him upon mis-
defeat. Both had a good laugh over
1t and both retired at once as if hunt
ing some place that Mrs. Nation would
smash with a Ratchet"
q q -
This reference to Cox reminds me
Of an incident told by that gentleman
himself. Senator Bayard and myself, >
said Mr.. Cox, were to speak at Alba
ny We had an immense audience.
Bayard led off in one of the best eff
forts of his life. the very air was
charged with magnetism, he was
cheered to the echO as he proceeded,
and when he sat down there was a
perfect storm Of applause. I was to
1olloW- L was boiling over with enthu-
ssasm myself. and as 1 stepped forward
| raised my arm and, extending the in
deX finger towards the vast throne
sc1ied out in the citation of my spirits
BOYS, we've got 'em, we've got EN-
we've got EN-" ThereupOn a very
thin, shrill, piping voice arose above
the din Yes, you've got 'em bad;
what's your lcker?" The voice was
so peculiar and the witticism so apro-
pos that the whole audience was con
Vuised with laughter. But, imagine. if
you can, my chagrin. L was unable
70 go on, and retired while making a
forced effort to join the general mer-
riment.'"
Judge Stiles tells me of a very
amusing incident he himself witnessed
in Iowa, where Henry Clay Dean was
making one of his most impassioned
addresses before a large outdoor au-
dlence- he was appealing with all the
terVor of his great eloquence to the
grandeur of the Democratic party, the
glory or it's achievements its patriot
ism and old-fashioned honesty As he
touched upon this latter point his form
heightened, his eyes glistened with
pride and, turning himself with raised
hands TO the different points of his au-
dlence, ne defiantly exclaimed in tones
which, once heard, could never be for
sotlen; L defy and challenge any man
IN TINS vast audience to point out a
single act of eXtravaganc in This or
any other Democratic administration. ,
tThiS was during President Ruchan-
ans administration.
"Whereupon, in the rear part of
the audience. a man arose and
SAID, / can point out one
What was 1t? Point it out, point
II OUT defiantIy retorted Dean
calmly folding his arms. Tt was when
the Democratic party made the govern
ment pay Henry Clay Dean for praving
IN the United States senate Dean
probably for the first time in his life
on the rostrum, was nonplussed. For a
moment he was speechless with rage:
then, raising his voice to a tone that
carried 1t far beyond the confines of
mat vast audience, and shaking his
hst at the fellow, he exclaimed with
the ferocity Of a wounded tiger:
You are a liar sir; you are a. liar.
sir My prayers might be Instrumental
IN saving all but such hypocrites to re-
Hgion and such renegades to society as
you; all such are beyond the sovereign
grace OF God 1t is useless to say that
the man wilted under the reply made
Dy MI Dean. No one has ever heard
OF him since. He should have known
the buzz saw was in full motion. Mr.
Dean was the quickest man in repartee
l ever knew. He touched and killed.
smiled and buried"