Democratic Sentinel, Volume 12, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 August 1888 — ELOQUENT AMERICANS. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ELOQUENT AMERICANS.

Silver-Tongued Statesmen Who Attract Much Attention in the Senate. Mazmejß of Qreat Political Leaden and i 'iiSw They Talk in the Upper House. [Washington correspondence.] There are several Senators in this city any of whom can draw a crowded house by announcing that he will ask the Senate to hear him on a certain day, and by accompanying this announcement with the intimation that he Intends to pitch into something or somebody; and if he makes the intimation quite sharp, thus affording ground for belief that he will be pitched into also, public interest in the event will be largely increased and the galleries are certain to be crowded. Ladies can't, with any sort of propriety, go to see a prize-fight, but there is nothing to forbid their listening to two Senators abuse each other, and when due notice is given of such a set-to the fair sex turns out well. On the Democratic side one of the Sena:tors who is most relied upon in debates of national importance is Senator Gray, of Delaware. In the debate on the Blair educational bill he demonstrated his right to lead--ership. It was generally conceded that his

argument against that bill served to kill it in the House. Sector Gray has a resonant voice and an easy method of delivery. As ho is a comparatively young Senator, but iB destined, if he lives, to take front rank among the orators of that body. On the Republican side of the Chamber Senator Plumb is one of the most effective speakers. Ho talks fast, disdaining all tho ■ studied effects of oratory, but he always speaks to the point, and if he were engaging m target practice in tho wild prairies of Kansas it could bo properly said of him that ho hits tho bull’s-eye every time. Ho is in nowise choice about words when he wants to condemn and abuse. Ho strikes sledgehammer blows, and when he means to ■depict anything as black he says blaok. He talks very fast, so fast that tho best stenographer of the Senate can scarcely keep pace with him, because he says what ho means; or. to use a prize-ring phrase, he strikes right from the shoulder. There aro no fanciful frills about his speeches. They are mado up of straightforward Western logic, and if anybody does not understand Senator Plumb it is because he is ignorant of forcible English. ■

Senator Morgan is one of the most fluent public 'men of the day. He is an easy, graceful talker', with a wonderful command of language. Ho is one of the fastest talkers in the Senate, though every word is distinctly uttered, because ho has never to stop for an instant for words to exprosshis ideas. He is lucid, too. Ho renders his subject clear and intelligible as he proceeds. Senator Hoar is deliberate and scholarly in his efforts. His speeches usually read better than they sound, because his voice, when raised to the tone necessary in public :H}>eaking, becomes harsh. He is not much ,given to gestures, but when excitod he has a way of drawing his mouth, oven while speaking, that means a good deal in the way of fiery energy and earnestness. Senator Dawes does not deliver many set ■ speeches, but he has a good deal to say in the running debates, particularly if there is •an Indian question involved. His voico is • anything but musical. It has a grating sound that would completely upset a nervous person. Senator Dawes has a habit while talking in the Senate of continually scan:ning the galleries. Ho gestures by throwing his arms straight out to the front vigorously.

Senator Manderson, without any attempt at oratorical effect, in an easy, pleasing and natural manner, is always entertaining and instructive. There is an air of candor and sincerity about him that commands respectful attention. His voice possesses a pleasing softness that is entirely masculine, •and he can always count upon commanding the attention of his associates. Senator Edmunds, the leader of the majority in the Senate, does not attach much

weight to set speeches and long arguments. His His speeches are, as a rule, very brief and altogether impromptu. But then he is cock-sure of re-election as long as he wants to remain in the Senate, and does not need to talk for, home consumption. His delivery is methodical and impressive. He never gets excited, but ho is quite a master in the use of cutting sarcasm when ' he finds it necessary.

Senator Stewart is like the ready letter •writer in one respeet—he is always ready to 4alk. No matter what the subject may be, he wants to be heard. ■ His seat is in the last row on the Republican side, but lie rarely ever begins a speech there. When a debate opens he is on the alert for an opening, and he gradually moves forward until he gets near th« centre aisle. Theh, when he can obtain recognition, he starts in a loud tone, and with both arms swinging in the air like the arms of awindmilL He rarely ever stops until entirely run down. Senator Harris, now one of the most influential Democratic leaders, is a vigorous talker. He never engages in debate unless he considers the subject of importance. He has a plain practical method of submitting his views and opinions that invariably commands attention. He is earnest, even to the appearance of has a -clear, ringing voice and marks his periods by bringing down his right hand. He is -conceded to be, by both sides of the chamber, the best parliamentarian of the body, and rarely fails to succeed in obtaining votes enough to pass any measure he takes charge of. His eloquence, whether exerted in public or in private, is usually potent -enough to procure all the votes necessary. Senator Don Cameron rarely essays to “speak in public on the stage,” rod he would

escape these few exhibitions if, like a school boy. he could play “hookey." He has no confidence in his oratory; admits that he was not cut out for a public speaker. Now and then he feels it to be imperative to make a speech, but he invariably reads from manuscript, and in a tone so low that the official reporter cannot hear him. But when he wants votes for any bill he can get them on both sides of the chamber, which goes to show that eloquence is not an essential qualification of our public men. Senator Hawley is perhaps the fastest

talker in the Senate; certainly one of the fastest His words follow as if in hot chase one of the other. He cannot be called either a pleasing or an entertaining speaker. He becomes entirely too much absorbed in his subject and talks too fast, though nobody will quesrhis earnestness or sincerity. Senator Blackburn is really one of the orators

of the upper branch of Congress, but since his promotion from the lower house ho has been deferentially respectful to that unwritten rule which prescribes that new members shall remain in the background for a time. He has never sought to force himself upon public attention. The only speech he has made in the Benate was his brief response to the attack made upon him by Senator Ingalls in the memorable onslaught of the latter upon Hancock, McClellan, and the South. On that occasion Senator Blackburn, in an impromptu speech of but a few minutes, on a subject that was suddenly presented to him, manifested his powers of the real orator in a manner that won for him the applause of his entire party. He is the strong reserve force of his party in the Senate. Senator Bowen, of Colorado, whoso constituents all call him “Tom,” oven including those for whom he has procured appointments hero, and he says he would not recognize them if they wero any more formal In addressing him, does not take much stock in eloquence as an element of Congressional duty. Now and then whep the silver question is uppermost he unrolls a lot of manuscript, but nothing less commanding than silver can unlock his eloquence. Even in dealing with the silver question he says he believes in plain, practical, incontrovertible truth. Senator Bowen is one of the most independent members of that high-toned body. He does not talk often, but when the silver quoetion comes forward and ho wants to speak he is entirely willing to excuse all who do not care to hear him. Senator Ingalls has become more conspicuous during the present session than any other speaker of the body. His power lies in severe invective, and, unless he has a stimulating subject liko politics his speeches aro not of any great interest. His speeches have all involved him in personal controversies. Senator Beck is one of the old reliables of the Democratic side. Ho ignores all oratorical effects and goes straight tb the point. He talks fast, but has tho faculty of mixing up his papers of reference. In the midst of an earnest speech he will begin to toss over the papers on his desk, and in a sort of aside say, “Wait a minute; I’ve got that thing hero, somewhere." Hois homoly in all his efforts, but honest and effective, and more than that, well informed on any subject he undertakes to discuss. Senator Gall is an ever-ready talker. No subject is permitted to reach a final vote until he lias a whack at it. Ho is very solemn in stylo, earnest in voice and impressivo in gesture, usually emphasizing each period of a sentence by bringing down the forefinger of the right hand. Senator Vest is relied upon by the Democrats to take up the gauntlet at any time that it may be thrown down by tho Bepublicans, and he is a champion whose koen-

est weapons of logic, satire amd ridiculo arc always at command. If he had a voice proportionate with his abilities he could bo one of the groatest orators of the day, but in listening to him the auditor forgets any vocal defects. Senator Blair is one of the “always-ready” sort; he can talk at a mark or against time, but has a sing-song way of speaking that does not fill the galleries. Senator Brown never speaks unless on some subject that is of direct importance to his immediate const.itutents—thon he obtains leave to sit down while reading his speech, and he reads it in a mumbling tono that cannot bo heard at the Clerk’s desk. But as ho is always careful about revision and sees that the speech is circulated in proper shape among his constituents he accomplishes his object. Senator Voorhees. of course, is not to be omitted from any list of Senatorial honors. He has been a public speaker of national fame for many years. His powers as an orator are too well known to need any description, as he has boen in public life for many years, to say nothing of his political addresses in ovory campaign for his party. Senator Cockrell eschews set speeches, but he is one of the most diligent members of Congress, and fully informs himself as to every subject that comes even including private bills. Ho is always listened to, because Senators who are not so diligent realize that they will learn the merits of the case under consideration by listening to

Senator Cockrell. Ho does not aspire to be an orator, but wants to be a legislator, and in that he is a success. Senator Evarts has not made any great mark as an orator in the body of which he is now a member. Ho speaks in a jerky way and still follows the habit of constructing long sentences. It is difficult, even after listening attentively to

him, to decide which side of the leading question he espouses. Senator Daniel, of Virginia, is an orator who will add to his fame in future Senate debates. He is yet but a new Senator, and he pays due observance to the traditions of the body requiring new men to remain in the background for a time. But his tormi of probation Is about out, and his friends may expect to hoar from him before the ex« piration of the Fiftieth Congress.

SENATOR GRAY.

MR. EDMUNDS.

GEN. HAWLEY.

SENATOR VEST.

SENATOR EVARTS.