The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-02-19
atlt portraits.
Public Characters at Washington,
ALLEN a. THURMAN.


ALLEN a. THURMAN.
At the first glance down into the United
States Senate you would hardly select Allen
q. Thurman as leader. You might even
hear him speak without noticing his ability
or his influence; but after Watching the
body for o week or two, the conviction
comes inevitably that no mans words are
more worth listening to, and that no man 5
words command such respectful attention
In few hours Of defamation other SEN
ators show you all their airs and graces,
but t.ere is reserved strength about him
which opponents dread and friends confde
in. 1t is not measured, but every one
feels that it is there. He is perhaps the
plainest-looking, certainly the simplest and
most transformations man in the Senate
He looks like well-to-do old farmer of
,shrewd sense aud sterling honesty. His
clothes seem to be Of coarser material than
those of his colleagues, and his coat is of
loose, comfortable shape. Fore-shorten.
ed little in the view from above, he ap.
pears lOw-sized, but his massive head is set
upon square, massive body, the seat of
health and strength, rather than grace
His face, takeu alone, resembles
as it may appear--the portrait of Mr.
Thurman published in the illustrated pa.
pers last year, but that likeness as whole
was deceptive, as it gave an incorrect im-
preston Of the Senator's form. All his
features are large, and his mouth is es.
pecially so. Their habitual expression is
quiet sagacity and goodness; and the very
thought Of him suggests Kents declara-
ton to Lear: "You have that in your
countenance which 1 would fain call mas
tel" When he rises to speak he stands
firmly behind his desk, which is the last
in the row, and confines his movements to
STOPPING down to look for marked refer
ence in book, and his gestures to putting
on and taking of his spectacIes. His
speaking is essentially matter of bust.
ness, not Of display, and his voice, though
unmusical is strong and clear enough to
be heard without effort throughout the
Senate Chamber and the galleries. Out
Of the breast-pocket of his coat, as he
speaks, protrudes a red silk handkerchief,
and consequently the spectator is prepared
to see him draw forth, as the argument
progresses, little black box, tap it gently
aud regale himself with pinch of snuff.
Mr.. Thurman was long member Of the
Supreme bench Of Ohio, and his manner
of addressing the Senate is even now like
that Of judge summing up q case to
jury. Apart from his great legal learning,
clearness Of comprehension, logical method
of statement and readiness in reply, this
habit Of taking both sides of question
into account and considering them fairly,
may be esteemed one Of the sources of his
influence. It is this which gives his
words such weight; and when he stands up
men expect, as matter Of course, that
they are going to get clear idea of the
issue. He never overstates his own case
or draws conclusions that the facts do not
warrant, and hence is rarely open to u re-
joinder | think | have not yet seen any
one seriously attempt to answer him. His
very moderation makes his denunciation
uoap,y enec'lVe "nen u comes, breaking
OUT nerceiy, as it sometimes does, not the
result ., sentimental exeitement, but the
ehec1 Of an honest mans Indignation at
the contemplation of wrong. The great
faculty Of Imagination, the distinctive
Sharac'ers'lc Oh genius Judge Thurman
aoes no. seem 70 possess, and consequently
nc Is not great orator 50 much as pow
eri9i depater. Nevertheless, as observers
III washington are taking now as In Web.
s'er 'ime' Oh matches ana overmatches
IN TINS senate OF equals, It is generally
ne'a 'lla' no hepnoican Senator IS able
70 cope WIN the Onio democrat. In his
justice and considerateness and the purity
OF ms motive, thurman would have to
look 70 some other man than his foremost
antagonist Tor rivalry. A modern writer
mas said that It Is easy to find great poet
OF great soldier-that plenty OF people
are capable OF great sacrifices for the sake
OF aneotlon or principles, but that per-
iectiy unaffected man Is rare thing in
the world Thurman is one Of the few
that are 70 be found. lie is as simple and
unconscious under the public view in the
Senate Chamber, as IT he were sitting at a
friends whist-table laying schemes 10 es-
tabilsh his long suit.
When the Republicans carried Ohio last
tall, 1t was taken for granted that Judge
Ihurmans prospects fer the Presidency
were at an end. His opposition to the