Des Arc Weekly Citizen

Mr. Groesbeck's speech in defense of the President has created a great sensation in Washington. The telegraphic correspondent of the Cincinnati Commercial speaks of it in terms of warm commendation. He says:

The speech, from the first sentence to the last, was a splendid effort; undeniable in its statements, almost resistless in its logic and beautiful in its diction. No audience has ever been more completely under the chain of a speaker, and no speaker has ever more exhaustively or more ably treated a subject in the Senate chamber. If he had occupied eight hours instead of four, there would have been no complaints from those who listened. Mr. Curtis has given the law of the case, and Mr. Nelson the politics. Mr. Groesbeck seemed to combine both without losing the force of either, and to add occasionally beauty of expression which was entirely new to the case. His points against the different articles were singularly clear and conclusive. On the tenth article, which relates to the President's speech, he indulged in a vein of satire which was strong as Dean Swift and pleasant as Sidney Smith. He read the text of a bill which he said would do as substitute for that article, proposing a punishment of fine and imprisonment against any one who shall speak disrespectfully of Congress or its acts. This was enjoyed, especially by Fessenden, who felt its bitter humor, and by Reverdy Johnson, who laughed at its sharp irony. The first man to congratulate Mr. Groesbeck at the close of his masterly address, was Ben Butler. Chief Justice Chase had already done so during the fifteen minutes of recess at 1 o'clock though he had then heard only the first and by no means the best part of what was to be said. The city is full to-night of Mr. Groesbeck's praise, from hundreds who never saw or heard of him until to-day. It is universally conceded that no man has ever made a more favorable impression in a public speech.