The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1876-02-24
Public Characters at washington,
Allen C. Thurman.

At the first glance down into the United
States Senate you would hardly select
Allen G. Thurman as a leader. You
might even hear him speak without mo-
ticing his ability or his influence; but
after watching the body for a week or
two, the conviction comes inevitably
that no mans words are more worth
listening to, and that no mans words
command such respectful attention. In
few hours of defamation other Sena-
tors show you all their airs and graces,
but there is reserved strength about
him which opponents dread and friends
confide in. 1t is not measured, but every
one feels that it is thore. He is perhaps
the plainest-looking, certainly the sim
plest and most unostentatious man in the
Senate. He looks like a well-to-do old
farmer of shrewd sense and sterling hon
esty. His clothes seem to be of coarser
material than those of his colleagues, and
his coat is of a loose, comfortable shape.
Foreshortened a little in the view from
above, he appears low-sized, but his mas
sive head is set upon square, massive
body, the seat of health and strength
rather than grace. His face, taken alone
esembles-strange as it may appear
the portrait of Mr.. Thurman, published |
in the illustrated papers last year, but
that likeness as q whole was deceptive, |
as it gave an incorrect impression of the |
SENATOR'S form. All his features are
large, and his mouth is especially 50.
Their habitual expression is quiet sa-
gacity and goodness; and the very
thought of him suggests Kents declara-
ton to Lear: "You have that in your
countenance which | would fain call
master" 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
a marked reference in a book, and his
gestures to putting on and Caking off his
spectaces. His speaking is essentially
matter Of business, not of display, and
his voice, though unmuscaI, is strong
and clear enough to be heard without
effort throughout the Senate Chamber
ard the galleries. Out of the breast
pocket of his coat, as he speaks, pro-
trudes red silk handkerchief, and con-
sequently the spectator is prepared TO
see him draw forth, as the argument pro-
crosses, a little black box, tap it gently
and 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 a Judge summing up a case
to a jury. Apart from his great legal
learning, clearness of prehension,
logical method of statement and readi-
ness in reply, this habit of taking both
sides of a question into account and con-
them fairly, may be esteemed
one o. the sources of his influence. 1t is
this which gives his words snch weight;
and when he stands up men expect as
a matter Of course, that they are going
to get clear idea of the issue. Henever
oyerstates his own case or draws conclu-
siOns that the facts do not warrant, and
hence is rarely open TO a rejoiner |
think | have not yet seen any one serl-
ously attempt to answer him. His very
makes his denunciation
dOubly effective when it comes, breaking
out tiercely, as it son etimes does, not
the r, suit of sentimental excitement, but
the effect of an honest mans Indignation
at the contemplation Of wrong. The
great faculty of Imagination, the distinc-
u hap nta OF ,ff frapiuS Iul,VA nhnr- | ,
Ia does not seem to possess, and con-
NentIy he is not great orator so much
ia powerful debater Nevertheless, as
observers in Washington are talking now
as in Websters time, of matches and
in this Senate of equals"
it is generally held that no Republican
Senator is able TO cope with the Ohio
Democrat. In his justice and consider
lteness and the purity of his motives,
Thurman would have to look to some
other man than his foremost antagonist i
'or rivalry. A modern writer has said i
hat it is easy to find great poet or a {
great soldier-that plenty of people are
capable of great sacrifices for the sake of 1
affection or principles. but that per- !
eCtly unaffected man is rare thing in :
he world. Thurman is one of the few a
hat are to be found. He is as simple l
md unconscious under the public view q
n the Senate Chamber, as if he were c
sitting at friends whist-table laying s.
schemes to est blish his long suit 4
When the Republicans carried Ohio il
asst fall, it was taken for granted that
Judge Thurmans prospects for the Presi-
lency were at an end. His opposition 10
he financial folly Of his party made him
in the West and his attempt
o explain away the platform, instead Of
ejecting it, made him unpopular in the D
East. But sterling worth wins its way, il
md he is gradually gaining ground. 1t 4
S now said that he will have the support y
If Pendleton and other leading Demo a
rats Of his State at the next National Il
and one omen is strongly C.
n his favor-he has long been happy in s.
he opposition and enmity ofthe Cincin- 7
lati Enquirer, which invariably brings 4
Ii
In conclusion, it is well enough to say
hat there is certain easiness and tOler- A
lnce about Thurman's disposition which
would constitute his only defect as a
resident at thisjunCture, which requires
| man of aggressive habits of mind and
reat executive capacity. The party, p
houd always hold in honor the man a
Who, against the counsels of Democrats il
ike Groesbeck and newspapers like the o
Enquirer, cast aside all cowardly counsels o
o abandon the organization, and boldly I
.ntnrpd info tha punVuSS If 1879 On tbp | a