The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1880-02-19
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AN OAOs1IAh ObuAONhAAs
Hon. Benjamin Patton, who was APP
pointed United States District Attorney
for this district by President jackson in
1882, and who presided over the Court Of
Quarter Sessions in this county thirty
years ago, being the predecessor Of Judge
Mcclure, Is member of the Ohio
House Of Representatives from Defiance
county. He made a speech in the House
on the 9th ult, affirming the Democratic
doctrine of States rights, as opposed to
Capitalization and secession, which is
cOmplimented by both Republican and
Democratic papers. The Cincinnati Com
wa1Oidl said ofit:
"Judge Patton occupied an hour or
more delivering his speech. 1t was a
mastery effort from his point Of view,
and was attentively listened to BY all
who could get to hear it. II was remar-
kable for its purity OF diction and nis
manner OF delivery. The tall and dig
nifed gentleman, surrounded with at
tractive listeners, made q picture that
suggested strongly the ideal old-time leg,
iBlative body, whose people depended
upon speeches for information in tead of
newspapers, as they do nowaday." E"
The Democrats Of the Legislature
thought so highly of the speech they
had 10000 copies OF it printed for circu-
lation. Col, G. B. Flood, an old time
newspaper man, writes Of it,
IT have heard more speeches in the
Ohio Legislature since 1910, than any
other man now living, and never heard
one more able than that of Judge Pat.
ton. The members gathered around
him and listened with rapt attention.
Allow me to offer my congratulations to
the Democracy of your legislative dis
trict on the ability of their member.
Like Saul among the prophets, he stands
head and shoulders above any other
man in the House."
The Columbus Dispatch referred to his
speech in this way;
The speech was one of considerable
length, and carried the hearers back to
the older days of the Republic when
statesmen and political jaCk.daws oCcu
pied the halls of legislation. Mr.. Patton
was accorded the closest attention and
the most courteous hearing,and his
courtly style and manners of the old
school gentleman and scholar took away
the harshness OF his utteranCes. The
speech WAS the event thus far, of the
session, and will constitute a marked
episode in the LXIVth General Assem-
bly,. although eminently Democratic
the speech was marked throughout by
the most careful courtesy toward the
other side, courtesy that was appreciated
and acknowledged by the Republicans in
the respectful attention they gave the
venerable speaker.
Judge Patton in a note to the editor of
the Post, few days ago, said ut is
pleasant coincidence that after the lapse
Of nearly thirty years without seeing
each other, Lecky Harper, formerly of
the Post, and l met as members Of the
Ohio Legislature. We are a great com.
fort to each other. When the rush of
members Republican and Democratic),
came on to tender their congratulations
at the close of my recent speech, his
heart was with his hand when it grasped
mine, and l would not swear that tear
was not started in my own eye"
We hope the venerable Judge will
long be spared to illustrate by his ripen.
ed wisdom and high sense Of honor the
principles of Democracy. AS young
man he saw Andrew Jackson inaugural.
ed in 1929, and we trust he will SEQ an
other Democratic President take the
reins of Government next year, and get
the old ship back in the Jackson drift
PtS. PoSt, 1lth inst. ......