The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1882-03-25

in the slime way at the coming election
Good-by; ought IN have told you before
that my name is Tom Corwin, who was
nothing hut wagon boy and who adj
NIT is pretty black" Before Mrs Shan.
non could recover he was gone, but he
kept his woId concerning the old Cover.
nor at the election.
A great many stories are told about
Corwin's dark complexion, and no one
enjoyed telling them more than he him.
self did. Once when in Tie South be said
he was invited TO attend an octoroon ball.
With ticket for admission in hand Mr..
Corwin presented himself TO the door
keeper, who was cclored man. THE
doorkeeper said Corwin, "looked nt the
ticket and then looked at me; then ut the
ticket and then closely ut me. After n
short examination the dooikeeper said,
i am sorry, sir, but can't ADMIT you; you
are shade too dark, sir; shade too
DARK. lake the next door'
In Columbus, in 1S45, in company
with some prominent lawyers, among
whom was the cynical Tom Marshall. OF
Kentucky, Mr.. Corwin was putting some
good-natured fun at Marshall about Lis
(Marshall's) career in Congress, arsball
with grave countehance stepped up to
him as though he was stranger and ad-
dressed him in distant yet irier dly man
ner; said. Sir is your tribe at peace with
the whitesf"
As jury lawyer he bad no equal in his
day. 1t became popular saying among
lawyers, that TO give Corwin the last
speech in defence in criminal case was
the same as verdict of mot guilty.
He had more than ary other man OF that
day the pnw,r of absolutely wren ching
from en- unwieldly jury verdict to suit
himself.
In 1888 he ran for Congress against an
old judge named jackson, who though
an able jurist was a very weak stump
speaker. Knowing his power Corwin's
friends were anxious for joint debate
between the rival candidates. Judge
Jackson's friends we'll knowing the ire
sistible force of Corwins eloquence there
fore concluded to put up job on them.
They consented TO the debate and fixed a
place in the center of the District and a
day just few days before the election.
In those days the people we're not inform
ed as they now are; they were without
newspapers and, as is well-known,a a pop
ular speech often turned hundreds OF
votes. Jackson's friends knew that in
debate Corwin made 10 preparation but
depended solely for his arguments upon
the speech of his opponent. They ar.
ranged therefore that the judge should
speak first and th,u Corwln, then the
judge and Corwin TO close. Each speech
was limited to one hour except C'rwiu's s
last which was limited to half an hour.
The people from all parts of the district
representing both parties cane and en-
camped near the place where the debate
was 10 be held. After the usual number
Of fat oxen had been roasted and devour-
ed, the people, numbering thousands,
assc cmbled before the platform to hear
the rival candidates and determine from
the speeches which man would the bet.
ter represent them in Congress. Every,
one expected that Corwin W, uld abso-
lutely demolish the judge except thu
judges intimate friends. Mr.. Corwin,
rs usual, made no preparation, but ex.
pected to base bis remarks upon thrs Sc of
the judge. When the judge was called
up he merely greeted bis friends and told
them he wns not an orator but Judge
that it would 'e folly for him 10 attempt
to debate with so skilliul DE- batter rs
MIR. Corwin was, and that be would, there
fore, waive his right to the first hour and
ask Mr.. Corwin to proceed Immediately
with his speech. Alas for the peech
which Corwin intended to base upon The
jndg 's remarks. He was so taken back
that he for once foui d hins.ll unubl, to
talk Greatly 10 the disparagy ment OF
his friends lie bludered through lis hour
AMI made a complete failure. The
Judges friends were in high spirits and
the tide ofaffairs was greatly against Cor
win. The Judge was then called out,
but again intimated how unable he was
TO cope with Mr.. COrwin in debate but.
when looking over the audience, seem
ingly by accident, he noticed MIR. Bor-
ough, ard said he woul ask him TO come
mp on the platform and say few words.
Now John Borough. afttrward Governor
OF Ohio, was man of great power on the
stump himself. He came forward, and,
as Of course was intended, made one OF
his s'rnngest speeches. He made inn of
Mr.. CurWin's speech, alluded ironically
to his great powers as dc batter, attacked
his party, a. L held him and his friends
mp TO ridicule.
Then came the great master Of the ros-
trum, who by this time had recovered
from his first defeat aud. fired mp by Mr.
Borongh's caustic spe ch, v as ready aud
anxious for the attack. He knew that
his election depended upon the neat half
hour, aud so put forth bis finest n rts.
Iu few MINUTES he won the attention of
the entire audien and launched hrs
scathing ridicule and sarcasm at Mr..
Borough, reservipg the Judge I'll the | Is
He swayed that vast people as be pleased
and never was his power over an audience
more clearly shown than in this case He
S ooi there and as he spoke they heai d
-nd saw AID knew n thing but Coraiu.
Just Mt the last he turned to pay his re
spects TO the Judge. He sNid; Now,
NY conntrymrn, you stand 0n the eve Of
AN election. IL a few days You will de-
eide whether Judge jackson or mystlt
will represent yOn in the Congress of the
United Stat $. Vote rs you think proper,