Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-11-24

YORK
at the other end Of the avenue from
the porch of the White House! But
haven't got them-cowards, dastards
dolts, and snivelling fools"
His decision was instantly made
He would expel enough Democrats from
the senate and the house to place his
two-thirds majority beyond question
The name of the president never pass
ed his lips. He referred to him al
ways, even in public debate, as "as the
man at the other end Of the Avenue
or "the former Governor Of Tennessee
who once threatened rebels-the late
lamented Andrew Johnson, OF blessed
memory"
| He ordered the expulsion Of the
new member of the house from India
ma, Daniel w. Voorhees,, and the new
senator from New Jersey, John P,
Stockton. This would give him a ma
jority Of two-thirds composed OF men
who would obey his word without
question.
| Voorhees, heard of the edict with in
dignant wrath. He had met Stoneman
in the lobbies, where he was often the
centre of admiring groups Of friends.
His brutal frankness, had won the ad-
miration of the Tall Sycamore Of the
Wabash" He could not believe such a
man would be a party to a palpable
fraud. He appealed to him personally:
Look here, Stoneman the young
orator cried with wrath, II appeal to
, your sense of honor and decency. My
credentials have been accepted by
your own committee, and my seat been
awarded me. My majority Is unques-
toned. This Is high-handed outrage.
You cannot permit this crime"
The old man thrust his deformed
foot out before him, struck 1t medita-
lively with his cane, and, and, looking
Voorhees, straight in the eye, boldly
said:
There's nothing the matter with
your majority, young man. I've no
doubt it's all right. Unfortunately,
you are a Democrat, and happen to be
the odd man in the way Of the two
thirds majority on which the suprem.
acy of my party depends. You will
have to go. Come back some other
time" And he did.
In the senate there was hitch.
When the vote was taken on the ex-
pulsion Of Stockton, to the amazement
of the leader 1t was tie.
He hobbled into the senate chamber,
with the steel point Of his cane ringing
on the marble flags as though he were
thrusting 1t through the vitals OF the
weakling who had sneaked and hedged
and trimmed at the crucial moment.
He met Howle at the door.
whats the matter in there?" he
asked.
They're trying to compromise"
"Compromise-the Devil Of Ameri-
can politics." he muttered. But how
did the vote fail-it was all fixed be-
fore the roll -call?"
Morrill,, Of Maine has trouble with
his conscience! He is paired not to
vote on this question with Stockton's
colleague who is sick in Trenton. His
honor is involved, and he refuses to
break his word"
Il see" said Stoneman, pulling his
bristling brows down until his eyes
were two beads Of white light gleam-
ing through them. Tell Wade to sum-
mon every member of the party in his
room Immediately and hold the senate
in session"
When the group Of senators crowded
into the vice presidents room, the old
man faced them leaning on his cane
and delivered an address Of five min
utes they never forgot
His speech had a nameless fascina-
ton. The man himself with his ele-
mental passions was a wonder. He left
on public record no speech worth read
ing, and yet these powerful men shrank
under his glance. AS the nostrils of his
big three-angled nose dilated, the
scream of an eagle rang In his voice,
his huge ugly hand held the crook Of
his cane with the clutch Of a tiger, his
tongue flew with the hiss Of an adder
and his big deformed foot seemed to
grip the floor as the claw of beast.
1.-THE life of a political party, gentle
men," he growled In conclusion, is
maintained by a scheme OF subterLuGes
in which the moral law cuts no figure.
AS your leader, know but one law
success. The world Is full Of fools who
must have toys with which to play. A
belief in politics Is the favorite de-
lusion Of shallow American minds. But
you and l have no delusions. Your
life depends on this vote. II any man
thinks the abstraction called honor Is
involved let him choose between his
honor and his life! / call no names.
This issue must be settled now petore
the senate adjourns. There can be no
tomorrow. 1t is life or death. Let the
roll be called again Immediately
The grave senators resumed their
seats, and Wade, the acting vice pres
ident, again put the question Of Stock
tons expulsion.
The member from New England sat
pale and trembling, in his soul the
anguish of the mortal combat between
his Puritan conscience, the iron heri-
tage of centuries, and the order or his
captain.
When the clerk of the senate called
his name, still the battle ragged. He
sa: in silence, the whiteness of death
about his lips. while the clerk at
signal from the chair paused.
And then a scene the like of which
was never known in American history!
August Senators crowded around his
desk, begging, shouting, imploring and
demanding that a fellow senator break
his solemn word Of honor!
vote! Vote! Call his name again!
they shouted.
For a moment pandemonium reign
ed.
High above all rang the voice of
Charles Sumner leading the wild Choir
US. crying:
vote, Vote! Vote!"
The galleries hissed and cheered-
the cheers at last drowning every hiss
Stoneman pushed his way among the
mob which surrounded the badgered
Puritan as he attempted to retreat into
the c!oak-room.
will you vote?" he hissed, his eyes
flashing poison.
my conscience will not permit 1t"
he faltered.
ITO hell with your conscience!" the
old leader thundered. go back TO
your seat. ask the clerk to call your
name, and vote. or by the living God
I'll read you out of the party tonight
and brand you Snivelling coward,
copperhead, renegade, and traitor!
Trembling from head to foot, he
staggered back to his seat, the cold
sweat standing in beads on his fore
head. and gasped
Call my name!"
The shrill voice Of the clerk rang
out in the stiffness like the peal OF a
trumpet:
Mr. Morrill,"
And the deed was done.