The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-12-29
A CLOWN on THE PLATFORM.

A CLOWN on THE PLATFORM.
FIRST Appearance ef Dan Rice as q
Temperance Lecturer.
1st. Louis Republican,
Dan Rice, the veteran circus man
made his initial appearance yesterday in
the role of temperance advocate. The
st. Louis Sanitarian was the scene of his
work. Three o'clock in the afternoon
was the time set for the opening of the
meeting. Dan had arrived long before
that hour and had taken position among
the Sunday-school children. When the
regular meeting was called the folding
doors were thrown open and those who
came to attend it saw Dan surrounded
by little children. After singing and q
few words from DR.. Boyd, of 1ndianapo.
lis, and prayer by Mrs. Cox, Mr. Cordell
arose and introduced man whom he
said was known in every city and village
in the United States-Dan Rice.
The old Snowman stepped forward.
He was dressed in a dark suit of cloth
ing that looked just little the worse for
wear and an overcoat which matched the
suit exactly. His face was some shades
paler than usual and the rosy tint which
has hovered around the tip Of his nose
had almost faded away. The large
sunken eyes looked q shade brighter
than usual. Their owner, however,
showed no signs of nervousness, but de-
ported himself in as cool and collected a
way as could john B. Cough or any
other veteran temperance lecturer. Dan
is a good actor, and if he really adopts
the profession of an evangelist will make
a success of it. .,...
As he spoke yesterday he illustrated
his words, making gesticulations with his
hands, twisting his face out of shape and
initiating the style and speech of one in
a drunken condition. When he said
Then I grew cunning" he put on a
cunning look. When he said II felt very
sick. | needed some stomach bitters,"
he initiated the manner of man just in
that condition. When he spoke Of his
mother his voice faltered. When he
said, "From this time on temperance
will never have stronger advocate than
Dan Rice" he spoke like man who was
in earnest and who intended keeping the
promise.
at is rather an awkward position this
to be in," said Dan. "I didn't expect to
come here. The other day l received a
letter from Mr.. Cordell, asking me to at
tend this meeting. l told him / couldrt
do it. Mr.. Cordell called upon me yes
terday and induced me to come. My
mind has been undergoing a remarkable
change recently. l have been SO mixed
up with my profession during the last
few years that in adopting this new
course / am moved by impulse. do
not even know what am going to say
now, but l feel better than have for
years. l am glad to be here this after
noon. 1t did me good to be with the
little children before the meeting. l
felt honored at being among them. |
have moral courage and am not ashamed
to face any of you as some men would
be. Some would have too much dignity
to stand up here. Too much
dignity is not democratic. Laugh
ter. Solomon says that it is a wise man
who conforms to the exigencies of the
hour, and as l have always been consid-
cred clown, a zany and fool, l think
it is about time confofmed to the exi-
gencies Of something else. Laughter.
| have been minister, but not Of the
gospel. l have been a minister Of fun.
My mothers family we're all Methodists,
and my mother used to prophesy that
one day / would be a minister, and she
often prayed that would become one. l
heard Moody the other night. The pray
ers and songs made me weep like child.
Here Dams voice faltered. When l
heard that old song my mother used to
sing wept like child. came away and
resolved to lead new life. The night
before Zach. Chandler's death in Chicago
we were standing at bar together,
drinking. He said; This is my last
drink, Dan. I have fulfilled
my mission That was his last drink
for he died that night. | have had my
last drink; and I trust to God that / have
taken it in time. This is glorious work,
and it is glorious 10 be in it. People may
sneer at me if they like, but / can bear
the brunt Of their scorn. Ii return to
my profession-and / have not made up
my mind as to whether I will or not--I
want to meet that heterogeneous mass
with whom l have been accustomed to
associate and destroy that curse that
ruins and sends 50 many Of them to early
graves. Even in the arena and in my
professional attire will strive to reach
these masses. Let them sneer at me
when I get my harness on. came unpre.
pared to speak here, but new | feel
inspired-morally great. l believe
there is more manhood about me to-day
than there has been at any time dur.
ing the past forty years. Let people say
what they will Of me, I will 60 on. Let
the press say what it will. The press
has had a good deal to say about me. 1t
has said some pretty hard things
| [Laughter.] When was young l used
to get mad at what they said. l recollect
once an abusive article that was written
against me and Barnum. wanted to
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