The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-12-08
Tom. CorWin,
HIS SPEECH BEFORE AN APPRECIATIvE
AUDIENCE.

It was one of Corwin's campaign
years, way back III The fifties, or may
he the forties, and he had been max.
ing the circuit of the State in behalf
of the Wing ticket. He had gone
through the southern and middle
counties, and had been assigned to
The reserve to wake up the Yankees,
as he said, and so had lighted down
at gainesville.
The meeting was morning one;
after the old fashion, and the far
mers from all around the country
had come to town to hear 'the great
Mr., Corwine," rs they called him,
make speech. When the organiza-
ton had been effected and the speak
er introduced, he felt that he must
do something worthy of his reputa-
ton as "the great Mr.. Corwine. -
He laid down his stock of facts and
figures in systematic order, building
from them an argument that he
thought irresistible, working at it
patiently until he thought the struc-
ture complete, but upon looking into
the faces of his auditors was unable
to catch q single responsive look
There they sat, bolt upright before
him, dignifed and quiet-so silent,
indeed, that Tom could hear the
ticking of the old clock at the far
end of the room. There wasn't a
ripple of applause, nor a smile, nor a
clap of a hand.
This discouraged Corwin a little,
but he thought he could wake them
up with some of his oratory. So he
sailed in with some of his impassion-
cd fights of rhetoric, and no orator
that America has produced had a
more glowing fancy or could utter
more eloquent things than he. Still
there was no response. There his
audience still sat, upright, unmoved,
as so many gate posts. Then he
concluded he would try the virtue of
his funny stories, and told string
of them as only Tom Corwin could
tell q story.
Selecting a particularly dignified
old fellow in front of him, he direct
ed his budget of side-splitting yarns
ut him, but ne'er q smile broke from
his lips or those of any one present.
Then he went to making faces at
them-tho funniest faces that ever q
man made-faces such as only Tom
Corwin could make. Still not a
smile, not hint even that anybody
enjoyed the performance. There
they sat before him, giving that dig
nifel attention which they thought
the occasion required; but no one
opened his mouth or moved hand or
foot in the way Of response. Finally
Mr., Corwin sat down thoroughly
esgusted.
Then tall, lank, cadaverous look
ing individual, sitting off in one cor
ner of the room, slowly rose to his
feet, and clearing his throat very
ieisurely, said: "Mr. Chairman, in
view of the fact that we have had
the great Mr.. Corwine here with us
to-day, greatly to our edifcation, l
therefore move you, sir, that we now
proceed to give Mr.. Corwine three
cheers" SO saying, the gentleman
sat down.
Then another lank, cadaverous in
dividual on the other side of the
room, rose to his feet slowly as the
other, and said: "Mr. Chairman, /
second that notion" And he sat
down.
Then the chairman with due SOL
emnity, assumed perpendicular to
put the question. "Fellow-citizens,"
said he, sit has been moved and duly
seconded that this towu meeting pro
coed to give three cheers to the Hon.
Mr.. Corwine for the able and mas
terly address he has delivered in our
presence to-day. All who are in ia
Vor OF that motion will signify the
same by saying aye" A dozen or
more voted in the affirmative
THOSE of a contrary mind will say
no." There were none. "The mo-
zion is,adopted," Then he sat down,
and silence again reigned.
Presently a'little. dried up, weazen
laced old man in the back part of the
nall got up, and in a cracked voice
called out, "Mr. Chairman, hooray
Tor Mr.. Corwinew And he took his
seat,
And then the dignified party in
the middle of the audience, at whom
tho soLa, l,,I - y. |