Year: 1876

that weighed on his (Danford's) mind
about all these circumstances, that was
the good namd Of Kerr, a name that had
been borne without reproach for many
sessions Of the House.


THE STRENGTH OF THE POLITICAL IEsTI-


TuTIoNs


OF the country was in the good and great
men whom they had produced, and he
should be loath to believe that any man
occupying the high position that Kerr
occupied before the country would be
guilty OF such charge. He hoped the
vote on the report would be an unani.
nous one, without dissenting voice or
heart, and that every gentleman on the
floor who knew the Speaker Of the House
as they all know him, would join in
wiping out this attempted stain on his
reputation and on his character, and that
they would by their action to-day enable
Kerr to present to his countrymen an
evidence that his


NAME WAS As WHITE


to-day as il had been before, and il was
the duty OF the House TO Kerr, as u good
and upright man, to adopt the report OF
the committee without u dissenting voice,
so he might be in the future as he had
been in the past an honor to his country,
tower OF strength to his colleagues, and
a comfort and consolation 10 his wife
and children. Applause.


Mr.. Hurlbut said that the reputation of
our public men Is among the best riches
OF our country, and the man or men who
would upjustly and untruly detraCt from
the reputation OF public man, are not
only stabbing at. his life and character,
but are doing


MOST FATAL MISCHIEF
10 the success Of the nation. Ididnt wait
for this report to make up my mind that
the long record OF an honorable lie out.
weighed all the charges Of those loose de-
iamers whom these base times encourage
to detraction and scandal, and / only arise
here on this occasion to carry out by my
voice and by my vote the idea that for
one, as representative Of the American
people, having before my eyes the honor |
Of the people and the honor ofthe House,
which Is the honor OF the people, am
glad here to be able from my heart to say
that whatever shadow this momentary
mighthave cast on the days OF
the distinguished gentleman, the Speaker
Of this House, the days which some Of us
fear are numbered, II is the unanimous
voice Of this people through its repre-
that the Tgis OF long and hon.
orable life has protected him from the
envenomed shaft Of malice, that the cloud
is now removed, and that if his sun goes
down II shall go down in full honor and
in the esteem Of all honorable men OF
whatever party. [Applausc from both
sides Of the House..


Mr.. Garfield suggested that the vote on
The report should be taken by the mem.
bers rising. The suggestion was adopted
and all the members, 2l0 in number, rose
in the affirmative, none in the negative.


Mr.. Garfield then asked that it be en-
.ered on the record that the report was
adopted unanimously,


The Speaker pro TEN directed the clerk
10 let it be recorded on the record
AS THE UNANIMOUS VOTE OF THE HOUSE.


Mr.. Leayenworth suggested as highly
proper that the House should fnrpish 10
Kerr in the most formal manner Cer,i-
lied copy OF the proceedings on this occa-
sion, and he made motion to that effect.
The motion was agreed to, and the Clerk
was instructed accordingly.


LA FAYETTE.


The Speaker pro TEN laid before the
House the following letter, which was
referred to the Committee on Centennial


New YoRK, June 0, 1870,


nv Dear Sir: Half n century ago Gen.
La Fayette revisited America, and ms the
guest Of the nation made u triumphal
tour through the States. As you
know by reading and by tradition,
the affection, enthusiasm and grati-
Iude TO him awakened: by that visit,
has no parallel in the worlds history.
Would il not be equally appropriate and
wise, half a century after the visit OF his
grandfather, to invite Oscar La Fayette
ia the guest Of the nation to attend the Cen
anniversary Of Independence.
Our committee have decided to invite
Mr.. La Fayette, but it occurs to me that
Congress might give broader and deep
or elect to patriotic idea.


Very truly yours,
70 Hon. SIS. Cor.


m