Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-07-01
About ,rOnn MsrshaIl.


/ notice going the rounds Of the
press a most absurd account of how
this dead orator got up and got off bis
electric bursts of 0ratory; we are told
that Tom wrote, rewrote, studied,
trimmed and at last reduced TO wri
ting his grafton, and then committing
it to memory and practicing it in the
woods, sought an opportunity among
his boon companions to let off the
fireworks while pretending drunken
ness.
| knew Tom Marshall intimately; he
was man of genius, erratic, willful.
lazy and Indifferent. Had he pos
sessed any particle of the application
and design implied in this silly story
he would have been recognized as a
statesman instead of q brilliant loafer
AN oratorical Bohemian; feared by
his friends, admired by his enemies,
and beloved by everybody.
To those who knew this remarkable
man personally, the thought of his
pretending drunk is to be relocated,
like the Chinese Government com.
mission said of Christianity, to things
which amuse. The story is enough
to make mule laugh. Pretend drunk
enness. | have seen Tom in hun
dred, and they were the most positive,
solid, through-aud through DRINKS |
ever knew.
Tom was quick to learn nd slow to
study. To a singular quickness Of
apprehension he added suggestive
ness that was at once original and true.
He made these qualities tell in the
most striking manner by a powerful
memory and the happiest facility and
felicity of utterance | ever heard. In
conversation, upon the stump and on
the floor of the Houce, sentences we're
struck out perfect in their construc-
ton. He never hesitated for word
or amended phrase.
The lie to this silly story the papers
are spreading is to be found in the
fact that his happiest efforts were
drawn out in debate when the prepare
ton charged was utterly impossible
He was, in fact, more of a debatcr
than an orator.
What a keen wit and delicious sense
of humor the man possessed Strange
TO say, this quality Of humor was not
accom- panied, as generally is the case.
with pathos | have heard Tom, grand
10 his utterauces, original, striking
and witty, but | never heard him
pathetic. In this he differed from
his friend and rival, Tom Corwin, Of
Ohio The last named could pass
from laughter to tears, and from tears
to the widest fun, with the ease Of a
master.
Throughout Kentucky there vet
lives an admiration of Tom MarshalPs
brilliant utterances, and stories are
told to-day Of his wit and quieknessin
repartee.
There is one story so illustrative of
this quality, when once another rot
the better Of him, that | can not
refrain repeating it, although you are
doubtless familiar with the oit.told
tale.
Tom was engaged in the trial Of a
case somewhere in the interior of
Kentucky, when a decision Of the
Judge struck him as SO bad that he
rose and raid:
There never was such ruling as
that since Pontius Plate presided on
the trial Of Christ"
Mr.. Clerk" responded the Judge
fine Mr.. Marshall $40 for contempt
Of court.
II confess, your Homer" continued
Tom, that what / said was a little
hard on Pontius PLATE; but it is the
first time in the history Of Kentucky
jurisprudence that it is held that TO
speak disrespectiully of POntius PLATE
is contempt Of court"
Mr.. Clerk, make the fine $40 for a
continuous contempt" said the Judge
solemnly.
W ell Judge, Tom added, as you
won all my money last night at poker,
lend me the twenty"
Mr.. Clerk" cried the Judge has
tlly, remit the fine. The State can
better afford to lose the money than /
car"
Il congratulate the court upon its
return to a sane condition" said Tom
resuming his seat amid roars Of
laughter"