The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1870-11-11
WisG&ll W..
From the Washington city Gazette.
HON. ALLEN G. THURMAN, OF OHIO, AS A
LEADER.

In glancing over the personnel of the
American Congress, which has just closed
its labors, we are greatly impressed with
the anomalous fact, that among 50 many
brilliant orators, profound scholars, deep
thinkers, able and learned jurists, practical
business men and experienced Legislators
there is butone of them all, in both
Houses, in the general acceptation, who
combines the peculiar and essential quail
fications, to be the leader of his party
or at least, there is only one, who by univer-
sal admission and acquiescence commands
that position. Among the great party
leaders, both in England and his own
country, the difference in their mental fea-
lures has been so great, that it is impossi-
BILE to determine what combination OF
qualities are necessary to make a success
full leader in legislative body.
Pitt and Fox, the great rivals and great
leaders, were as unlike as possible in every
respect; while Burke, in manner, style OF
oratory and intellectual character was again
entirely different from either. How little
alike were Sir Robert Peel and Lord
Brougham; the former stern, harsh and un,
bending, though open in his designs and
direct in accomplishing them; the latter
smooth, fortuitous in his manner ofarrivin9
at the result of his policy, very Mach
iavelli in action.
In our day how widely different was the
brilliant orator and powerful leader, Henry
Clay, from the great orator and statesman
Daniel Webster. They were dissimilar in
mind, manner, eloquence, and in every
other essential as they were different in
person. And yet they were acknowledged
leaders of great minds. What two could
be more diverse than John G. Calhoun and
Andrew Jackson, both in their political
views, although ofthe same party in theil
manners, habits, and physical and menta
qualities Hence it is hard, as we sale
before, toHf fix standardl of leadership, tc
whose requirements every aspirant for SUI
premacy should come up.
The leader to-day to whom we propose
to refer, is the Hon. Allen G. Thurman, Of
Ohio, who was elected by the Democratic
party of that State, as United States Sena
tor to succeed Hon. Benjamin Wade
Judge Thurman is fifty eight years of age
though he looks much younger; is abou
five feet ten inches in height, broad frame
rugged and healthy in appearance, hail
and whiskers we'll mixed with gray his
whole appearance indicating an iron con
stitution. His manner is easy, affable anc
dignifed, combining tremendously the for
liter in re with the suaoiter in mode His
habits are plain and simple. He has re
markable knowledge of men, with clear
insight into Misunderstanding without
bustle-a deal of patient energy-frm
yet mild-bold, yet courteous and undevi
ating in what he conceives to be right
The secret of the immense amount of labor
he accomplishes, is to be found in his me.
thodical habits, the systematic disposition
of his time and his unwearying and regu.
lar attention to it. Judge Thurman en-.
tered upon his Senatorial duties, with
the full confidence of his friends, who
felt assured that he must, perforce, take
rank among the first and ablest of our Sen.
ators. He has not only fulfilled the hopes
of his friends, but has exceeded their most
sanguine expectations. He has in one
session, by the display of rare combina-
ton of qualities, been freely accorded the
position of leader of his party in the Sen.
ate.
In manner and character Judge Thurman
is more like John G. Calhoun than any
other OF the leaders.of the English Parlia