The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-07-30
PEN PICTURE OF SEM TOE TRURALAN
OF OHIO.

| He was soon after elected to the
United States Senate in place of benjamin. F..
Wade, and took bis seat March 4th, 1869.
| He has since that time been the ackuowl-
edged leader Of the Democratic party as
Washington. Though not superior to Bay
ard In purity or ability, or perhaps equal
| TO him in dash and vigor, the frat place is
Econceded to him by his chivalric comrade
ON account of his age and experience. To
show how rapidly he made his reputation
| In the Senate, we quote o sketch of him,
written in 1870, after his first session:
Judge Thurman is fifty eight years of
age, though he looks much younger is
about five feet ten inches in height, broad
frame, rugged and healthy in appearance,
hair and whiskers well mixed with gray ;
his whole appearance indicating an iron
constitution. His manner lie easy, affable
and dignihed, combining harmoniously the
tortiter in re with the s9aviter IN mode His
habits are plain and simple. He has re-
markabie knowledge of men, with q clear
insight into character; activity without
bustle deal of patient energy firm, yet
mild bold yet courteous and undertaking
in what he conceives to be right. The &C.
cret OF the immense amount Of labor he
accomplishes is to be found in his methodi-
cal habits, the Systematic disposition of his
time and bis unwearying and regular at
tention to it. Judge Thurman entered upon
his Senatorial duties with the full con e :
dence of his friends, and they felt assured
that he must, perfOrce, take rank among
the first and ablest of our Senators. He
has not only fulfilled the hopes of his
friends, but has exceeded their most san
gulne expectations. He has in one session,
by the display of rare combination of
qualities, been freely accorded the position
of leader of his party in the Senate. In
manner and character Judge Thurman ia
more like John G. Calhoun than any other
of the leaders of the English Parliament OF
of our Own Congress. He is az bold as
Doug as, without his personal invective.
The keenness of his sarcasm, which he
generally directs against the measure he is
discussing and not his opponents, ia most
effective. His language, like Webster's, is
vigorous, teIee, pure English, rejecting Or
namentations free from any kind of afec-
He is like Henry Clay, in his direct and
candid craftsmanship, his sincerity, open
ness and freedom from equivocation OF dis.
gnise, characteristics which made the
Usage of Ashland" SO dear to the public
heart. MIR. Clay carried all before him by
his grace of manner and person, brilliance
and eloquence, and communicated to men
aud masses his own enthusiasm. Judge
Thurman commands attention and carries
conviction by the quiet yet forcible ear
Eestness of his manner. His oratory, like
Calhoun's, is plain, strong, wise, concise
ana Impressive hls great power consists in
the plainness OF his propositions, i'll the
clearness of his logic and his earnest sim
cerity. His manner of speaking is rapid,
forcible and pressing. He is never tedious
and never tires diedaining all rhetorical
hourishes and ciroumlocutions, he comes at
once to the point; possessed of'an analyti.
cal mind and fond of good common sense,
he makes clear bis views and leaves no
doubt as to bis meaning. As o debater
he is the peer of any in the Senate, which
arises from his extended experience, his
quickness of repartee, his thorough self
possession and control of self, with quiet
humOr which never fails to disarm the feel
debate, and to win the respect Of his oppo-
nents. He Is always most thoughtful and
respectful to his political opponents. This
taken in connection with the powerful
magnetism of his manner give him 10 return
the respect and kindliest feelings of thoee
he opposes; but in his attack on what be
conceives to be wrong be is most determined
and implacable.