The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1882-04-07
WASHINGTON, D. G., April 8,
CONGRESSIONAL oRAToRY

present age advantage over the pro-
ceeding ones. The ability to frame
eloquent sentences and clothe ideas
with the beauties of which the English
language is capable is one thing; but
the power to render such language eff
fectiyely on the platform, or on the
floor of Congress, is quite another
thing. These are two distinct qualih-
cations which, in these times, do not
appear to be sufficiently considered.
There are members of Congress
whose speeches are logical, the words
well chosen, the sentences polished.
These men seem to think if their
speeches bristle with forcibly expressed
ideas that is all the oratOrical finish re-
quired. This is one of the modern
fallacies as to the true meaning of ora
tory. A musician may play a beauti-
full piece Of music on an instrument
and entrance his listeners; another
musician, equally skilled as the first,
may render the same music on crack
ed, wheezy instrument, and his audi
tors will take no pleasure in it. A man
may tell story so as to excite the APP
plause of his hearers; another may
tell the same story in precisely the
same words, and it will fall dull and
insipid ON the bystanders.
Cicero being asked, "What is the
first qualification of an orator p replied,
"voice and action when asked
what is the second, he again replied,
"voice and action" By this he was
not understood to mean that good
sense was not first of all necessary for
the proper foundation. There is as
much necessity for the cultivation of
the voice for oratorical success as for
musical. 1t is noticeable how many
harsh, squeaking voices there are in
Congress voices better suited to
brighten unruly boys than to be heard
where the assembled representatives OF
the nation had gathered, and refinement
should predominant. Nine-tenths Of
the disagreeable voices heard in Con-
gress, or in other public bodies, are
faults Of which the speakers have no
excuse. Since the days of Demos
themes to the present time it has been
demonstrated that a repulsive voice
may be cured of it's worst Imperfect
tions by care and pains-taking. 1t is
sheer carelessneSs to give no attention
to the right uses of the organ of speech,
one of the noblest faculties with which
man is endowed. Orators of the pres
ent day, contrasted with those of a
former period. will be attempted in
another paper.
NEXT HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
However premature it may seem to
commence agitation of the election for
members Of the next Congress, the
necessity will probably be forced upon
the country, whether. distasteful or not.
Tt may as well be understood, from
this time forward, that a determined
effort will be made by the party now
represented by the minority in Con-
gress to regain control of the next
House of Representatives. The two
National parties being so near equally
balanced, renders the coming election
more certain of being holly contested.
When Democrats are asked what are
the National issues on which they
intend to go before the people, the
reply generally is, that National issues
are now obsolete, or at least not clearly
defined.
1t is believed the policy of the
Democrats, as far as practicable, will
be to put in nomination candidates for
Congress suited to the publicsentiment
of the district in which they are to be
voted for. If the popular sentiment
be for tariff, then tariff candidates will
be selected; if the current of opinion
be free trade, then men holding that
doctrine will be nominated; in districts
where the liquor interest has control
the candidates will be in accord. If
such a phenomenal district should ever
happen to be found where Democrats
are generally favorable to temperance,
then very likely temperance man
might be nominated. No one great
National principle will be insisted up
on. The prize for which the party
will go into the fight is power, and the
first step to gain that will be to capture
the next House of Representatives.
If Republicans expect to retain their
present ascendancy they must not
delay preliminary action. Many
Republicans incline to be quiet, and
desire rest from political excitement.
But OUT governmental interests are so
constituted that party rest and inactiOn
results in party defeat. Political Wig
lance is the price Of success.
ROGER A. PRYOR--AN INCIDENT.
Twenty years ago probably most
citizens of Wisconsin were familiar
with the name of Roger A. Pryor.
The incident narrated will be recollect-
ed by many of the older inhabitants.
That gentleman is now on brief visit
in this city, and his presence here calls
to mind Renaissance. In 1892 he
was a member of congress from Vir-
ginia. John F. Potter, of Wisconsin,
was member at the same time.
Words spoken in debate by Potter
were taken as personally offensive by
Pryor, the outcome of which was, the
sending of challenge to Potter, who
accepted it, conditioned that the
weapons for the encounter should be
satisfactory. Pryor stayed his impet-
uosity for the fight until Potter should
name the weapons. In due time
Pryor was notified that Potter had
decided the duel should be with bowie
knives. This startled the chivalrous
southerner, who beat retreat, declar-
ing the "code of honor" did not re-
cognixe that sort of weapon. Here the
matter finally ended. Some time after
this, during the holding of a National
fair in Chicago, Mr.. Potter was pre-
sented with a bowie knife of enormous
size, intended as token of admiration
for his courage in dealing with Pryor.
Mr.. Potter was not pleased with the
well-intentioned compliment and re
fused to accept it. lie disdained to
achieve the reputation of a fighting
man. After the expiration of Potter's
third term in Congress, he returned to
Wisconsin and settled on farm in the
northeastern part of Walworth
County, where he still resides, much
respected by all who know him. John
f. Potter is gentleman of education
and culture, Of quite demeanor. and
the last man who would be suspected
of quarrelsome propensities. Since his
retirement from Congress he has been