Democratic Sentinel, Volume 1, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 October 1877 — COCKLING AND CURTIS. [ARTICLE]

COCKLING AND CURTIS.

A Dramatic Scene Jn the New fork Republican Convention, Graphically Depleted by George Alfred Townsend. George William Curtis took the platform about 5 o’clock. He was applauded, and began very hoarse. He asked that thp second resolution be read again, and took a drink of water while it was read. He then read a resolution through an eye-glass, well written by himself, and perspicuous. He made a speech on this resolution, clean cut and eloquent at first, and, after a time, wordy and ineffective. Curtis’ manner was classical and lyceumlike, and his face expressed nicety and devotion, but not manly energy. At times he appeared te lose his points in listening to his echoes, and people remarked that the unknown Forster was more effective than his colleague. The latter, however, tempted no personalities until toward the close, when he said that efforts had been made to defeat him as a friend of the administration, for patronage had attempted this. Curtis finely referred to Conkling as “ intoxicated with the flattery of favorites, or blinded by his own ambition.” He said “ God : speed to the President.” Curtis then gave a sour testimonial to Conkling, and then remarked r “I am a Hayes Republican.” He showed himself to be no weak rival of Conkling—a natural man of speech and discussion. Hamilton Ward then delivered a speech, and attacked Curtis directly, and referred to Hayes being escorted through the South by the commander of the Black Horse Cavalry, while the Republican Governor of South Carolina was a fugitive in banishment. He used a scriptural quotation, intimating that Hayes was an apostate. Ward again brought forward Gen. Grant’s name, and it was received with furious applause. Giles W. Hotclikiss then made a quaint speech. He attacked Schurz and Evarts direct. For years they had been attacking Republicans, and now they were giving the party its shibboleth. One year ago, at Saratoga, the doctrinaire element hail its way, and the Republican party was buried under a Democratic avalanche. Andy Johnson’s supporter, Evarts, was now the President’s adviser. The Republicans of New York State were sore all over from being too much experimented with. Mr. Curtis was a small man, not able to get the suppor of any large body of men, and envious of big men who did. Hotchkiss kept everybody laughing. Seymour Dexter made a speech in favor of Hayes’ policy, a fine military speech, saying that he carried a musket during the war, and was glad to sec the leader of the Black Horse Cavalry escorting the President through the South. He was loudly applauded. Mr. Curtis arose and stood in the aisle. Conkling slowly arose and took the platform. Curtis continued standing. Forster, Curtis’ colleague, interposed a motion. Conkling tried to speak, but Curtis insisted. Conkling descended from the platform disgruntled. Curtis here sought to wreck the force of Conkling’s expected speech by announcing in advance that it would be highly powerful. Curtis said he had not introduced a firebrand, but a torch—a torch he still held. He spoke well, but too lengthily. Conkling was uproariously hailed as lie arose. His speech was more than an hour long—was the greatest speech he ever made before a political convention, and the most extraordinary instance of offhand, critical oratory probably ever made in this country. Its Conklingism was its individuality; out its general sweep, perfect diction, manly bearing, and invincible fearlessness lield everybody spellbound. Mr. Curtis got up only once to apologize, as he saw .the thunderbolt forged for him. The venom of this speech was concentrated. Its chastity and elevation of style yet relieved it from all demagoguery or mere point-making. The elocution of Conkling, considering its length, was an extraordinary instance of physical strength. He spared nobody, yet he did not personally score Hayes. He omitted no single point made by any of his opponents, yet he had no notes. He resorted to no anecdote, but everything was spirited and plain. An irresistible current flowed through all the tenor of his remarks. He closed after 11 o’clock, leaving all the reporters so astonished and exhausted that very few who heard the whole speech will attempt an account of it. He carried the convention, and probably would have done so had it not been previously committed to him.