Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1886-08-05
JUDGE THURMAN.
Glowing Tribute ofan Old Friend OF
the Ex-senator.

From 'Ten Years Among the Senators" by j.
z. French.
Judge Thurman is good deal more of
statesman than a politician. and in
style and spirit seems much like one OF
that venerated school of statesmen
whom we love to Call "tne fathers of the
republic" Hunt the Senate through,
from lis first assembling in 1889 down
to this year of grace 1886; search the
men from all parties, and for cordiality
of spirit, for integrity of purpose, for
sincere devotion to the common inter
estS of all the country; for strong, CONT
prehensive. practical sense, you will be
troubled to lind the u.an in all this cen
tury of senatorial history who by right
can claim precedence of Allen G. Thur
man. He is partisan, indeed, as are
ali our public men; but he is Demo+
crat in far higher sense than known
to party-he is Democrat of the origi-
nal significance. He believes in the peO-
pie. Like Abraham Lincoln, the largest
| American since Washington, he
loves the company of the people and
keeps close by them. And while he has
never been favorite with the pOliti>
clans the people have great faith in him.
Judge Thurman entered the Senate at
time when his party Was small mi
nority of the body but he took up the
battle good naturedly but fearlessly,
making square fight on every issue as
it arose never knew Mr.. Thurman to
evince any irascibility under Interrupt
tion save on ole single occasion, and
that was at night session, when all were
more or less nervous and irritable from
the exhaustion Of the leng sitting and
hot debate Indeed, the session had
been quite continuous for three days and
nights. Mr.. Blaine in debate was al
ways aggressive, and from bis long pu-
pilage in the House, where one has to
| tight for fair chance, his persistency,
it must be confessed, sometimes put a
a strain upon the courtesy" of the Sen
ate. So it was on this occasion. Mr..
Blaine was not content with pushing bis
sharp interrogatories at Mr.. Thurman
once or twice, but kept repeating them,
in his earnest tene that would be heard
and every time, in their shrewd remod-
cling, perhaps a little more perpleXing
to his opponent, until Mr.. Thurman 5
patience was entirely exhausted, and
rolling between bis bands the familiar
red bandana until it was but bali, and
throwing it wrathfnlly upon his desk,
at the same time stamping bis foot, as if
commanding a refractory schoolboy, he
cried out at the top of his voice: sit
down, sir! will not be interrupted in
this manner. Why, You are more active
than 'jumping-jack.'
Then the red bandana was picked up
from his desk and slowly unfurled-nOt
in this instance us token of war-and
as it went TO the face of its manly own
er we had one of those blasts which
broke the solemn dignity of the Senate.
A hearty smile broke over that rugged
face. A few kind words we're rendered
to the Senator from Maine, as if sorry
for the moments fret, and then his ques-
tions were fully considered.
One visiting the Senate but few
times would hardly have marked Mr..
Thurman as one of the leaders of tht
body, so little of self-asseriion or dog
matism was there in either his spirit or
manner. He intimated no special influ.
euce, and his ability was not upon the
surface but rather reserved strength,
waiting for adequate occasion. But il
the visitor had watched the proceedings
of the Senate for days, then the cOnvic.
tion would have been inevitable that nc
mans words commanded more respect.
ful attention.
Alien G. Thurman is virtuous and
enlightened statesman, Astounding with
that genial courtesy which has lis seat
in the heart. A man of real genius, and
of brave. and lofty. and commanding
spirit, with delightful simplicity OF
character; the ablest man of his party In
the country;a giant in the Senate;
man who would fill the English mission
with that unquestioned American senti-
ment. that sturdy honesty and rugged
ability which would be grandly refresh>
ing to every American worthy the name;
man who would bring ripe learning
and weighty character to the bench of
the Supreme court-aud yet, to the
amazement of the country, this grand
man is suffered to remain in private life,
whether his party is in power or in de-
feat,