New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-19
MR. CURTISS GRAFTON.

Mr.. Curtis had yesterday theme worthy OF
his oratory and literary genius. His cuAHgy on
Wendell Phillips at the memorial meeting in
Boston Is conspicuous not only for purity OF die
ton and elegance Of form and finish, but also
for sustained strength and imprisoned earnest
ness. We do not believe that Mr.. Curtis has
ever before reached So high level of orNtory as
in this noble panegyTic. His literary art ana
rhetorical graceS are always tautless, but ordi-
narily he has lacked the fire which must melt
the orators own heart before he can hope to
move the hearts of his auditors. On this oc-
casion his classic periods were aelOw with latent
heat. He was himself profoundly moved Adj
miratiOn for the personal character and public
services of the man to whom he was paying
reveTent homage mastered him. what might
otherwise have been merely a critical estimate
of leader Of the anti-savcry agitation, or q
scholarly review Of a m0mentOus period In
American history, became masterpiece OF elo-
quence-a tribute to character and genius wrune
from n heart thrObbng with intensity of emo
ton. 1t is because this Grafton Is permeated
with sympathetic feeling that we have not hesi-
tated to pronounce it superior to anything that
Mr.. Curtis has previously done. On this ac-
count, and because THE TRIBUNE had COM
handing part in the great battle for freedom
wherein Wendell Phillips achieved his fame, we
take pleasure in furnishing our readers on the
seventh page--the first of to-day'5 supple
mentary shcet-with the full text of this nOblo
speech.
The orator made no attempt to explain away
any Of the vagaries and eccentrlciues of the
great agtatOr's career. In one of his opening
sentences he referred significantly to the fact
that Mr. Phillips belonged to no political party
and seldom voted, and for the greater part of
his life spurned the Constitution as a bond of
iniQuity and the Union as Il yoke of oppression
There is no effort in this speech to make the
orator of the Abolitionists what he never was
q statesman and political leader-nOr to impart
to his career a logical consistency and complete
ness which it did not have. Homage to per-
sOnal character is the burden of the orators
tribute The entire speech Is set to this
KEY. Wendell Phillips is described as young
lawyer, of Bthe best NewEngland lineage,
looking forward in the consciousness of
commanding powers to a professional career
of the most brilliant promise. Thet Future
rises before him benignant presence, reckoning
to him with iewelled fingers and tempting him
with visions of triumph in social and political
life He is waiting for his first clients and smil-
ing because they pass by on the other side.
Suddenly The client comes. Scared, scOrned
"and forsaken, that covering and friendlcss
"client was wrOnged and degraded humanity"
From the day when he saw an American pur-
sued by mob in the streets of Boston for low
ing freedom and execrating slavery, Wendell
Phillips renowned all that professional life, po-
litcal leadership and social ease could offer him,
and accepted laborious struggle defamation,
outlawry as. his portion. Mr.. Curtis describes
with deep feeling the historic scene at Faneuil
Hall when the orator first found his voice, and
then follows him step by step in the path of
INSTRUMENTATION whereOn he had there en-
tered 1t is an inspiring recital of a noble life
devoted TO the welfare of humanity.