ats after the war, and were not long in
finding honorable recognition. Carpenter was as brilliant and
versatile in intellect as he was naturally eloquent in speech and
wayward in morals. Carl Schurz displayed ability in the famous
debate with Morton and Conkling on the sale of arms to the French,
and his political independence in 1872 gave him great prominence
as a Liberal Republican leader; but that virtue has been less
conspicuously illustrated in later years. Morton became famous
soon after he entered the Senate. The "logic of events" had
revolutionized the opinions so vigorously espoused by him only a
few months before, and his great speech on reconstruction, in which
he avowed and defended his change of base, brought him into great
prominence, and multiplied his friends in every section of the
country.

In the House, Roscoe Conkling was recognized as a man of considerable
talent and great self-esteem. I have elsewhere referred to his
passage at arms with Blaine. He never linked his name with any
important principle or policy, and was singularly wanting in the
qualities of a party leader. No one questioned his personal
integrity, but in later years he was prompt and zealous in the
defense of the worst abuses which found shelter in his party. Mr.
Sherman was shrewd, wiry and diplomatic, but gave little promise
of the career he has since achieved through ambition, industry and
favoring conditions. Shellabarger was one of the ablest men in
the House, and was so rated. He was always faithful and vigilant,
and I have before given an instance of this in his timely action
on the question of reconstruction. Mr. Blaine, during the first
years of his service, showed little activity. He spoke but seldom
and briefly, but always with vigor and effect. He steadily grew
into favor with his party in the House as a man of force, but
without seeming to strive for it. I think his abilities were never
fully appreciated till he became speaker. His personal magnetism
was as remarkable as his readiness to serve a friend was unfailing;
but, like Mr. Conkling, he never identified himself with any great
legislative measure.

Henry Winter Davis was the most formidable debater in the House.
He was full of resources, while the rapidity of his utterance and
the impetuosity of his speech bore down every thing before it.
The fire and force of his personality seemed to make him irresistible,
and can only be likened to the power d