Chapter III

Alexander H. Stephens Resolves to Withdraw from Congress.—Taunted
With Cowardice by Know-Nothings.—Re-enters
the Field as a Candidate.—Letter to Judge
Thomas.—His Great Anti-Know-Nothing Speech at
Augusta, Georgia.—His Re-election.—Perversion, After
His Death, of the Sentiments and Language of His
Augusta Speech.—The Virginia Campaign of 1855.—Letter
of Henry A. Wise, of Accomac.—His Famous
Alexandria Speech.—His Wonderful Anti-Know-Nothing
Campaign.—A Contest of National Importance.—A
Second Patrick Henry.—His Election a Death Blow to
the Know-Nothings.—Large Number of that Party in
the 34th Congress.—Sketch of Henry Winter Davis, the
Maryland Know-Nothing.—John Kelly Meets Davis in
Debate in Congress.—Their Speeches.—The Irish Brigade
Attacked and Defended.—Kelly’s Speech Published on
Satin.—Anecdote of Andrew Jackson and Col. Hayne.—The
Debate Becomes General.—Kelly, Akers and Campbell
Take Part in it.—Minnesota and the Naturalization
Laws.—John Sherman, Muscoe Garnett and John Kelly
in a Lively Debate.—Sherman Insists On the Order of the
Day to Cut Kelly Off.—Elihu B. Washburne Demands
that Kelly be Heard.—Objection Made.—Kelly Postpones
His Speech.—His Influence in New York and Congress
Exerted Against Know-Nothingism.—High Estimate of
His Character Expressed by Lewis Cass, James Gordon
Bennett and Alexander H. Stephens.—Kelly Urges
Augustus Schell’s Appointment as Collector of New
York.—Kelly at Washington.—How Received.—His Simplicity
of Character.—Rugged Strength.—Attracts
Friends On All Sides.—Devotion of His Constituents to
the Man.—They Regard Him as Another Daniel
O’Connell.—Large Personal following in New York. 45