The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-21
ines. and. taking the young man by the hand,

ines and, taking the young man by the hand,
said to him:
"when you take the platform, wsr--msanine
himself and other speakers Of his day--''shall all
take back seats"
This young man was one of Mr. Phillips's most
ardent admirers and. in later years, when be-
came acquainted with him. he gave me the fol.
lowing dramatic account of his first introduction
20 Phillips:
81 had just arrived in Boston one hot August
day, and was walking down fremont street.
with friend, talking about some recent speech
of Phillips, when my friend suddenly exclaimed:
There's Phillips nowr I looked across the
street and saw TALL commanding figure,
dressed, as was the fashion then, In a fine,
spotless suit of white linen. Come GENE across
and be introduced to him. my friend suggested.
L looked at that cool, elegant, spotlessly-
dressed gentleman. and then at myself, just of
the cars hot dusty and iisheveled and shrank
back But my friend seized me by the arm and
inslsted That mere was my opportunity, and that
| should not neglect it.
Brought face to face with Mr.. Phillips. and
presented to him as young man who was one
of his most ardent admirers and followers, he
kindly said: Why have you never been to
see meP
II stammered out something about never
having had an introduction, and he instantly
replied:
Agreement on great principles is always suf-
fcient introduction'-and Immediately the street
became temple. the dramatic narrative con-
cluded with eloquence that was worthy OF
Phillips himself.
Here again was the result of that magnetism
which always had the effect of lifting one up and
out of merely extraneous circumstances.
But it was not the magnetism or personal COM
tact that inspired Father Ryan, the poet-priest
of the South, to express himself rs he did about
Mr.. Phillips. three years ago, when he was visit
ing Boston.
Il wish you were going to stay with US longer,
Father said Boston gentleman who chill
ing upon him. Il should like to have you meet
some of the literary men of Boston
There is one man 1 should like to know more
than any other" replied Father Ryan, land that
is Wendell Phillips l am q Southerner by birth
and sympathy was in the confederate army,
and Mr.. Phillips and myself in all that direction
are at antipodes. but | believe he is sincere
man, and should like to take him by the hand"
Of course, 1T is to be supposed that Mr.. Phil
lips's espousal Of the Irish cause had something
to do with Father Ryans feeling, but not every
thing. The heart, the mind of the poet-priest
had been touched and fred long before by the
glowing utterances that had from time to time
reached him.
But, fascinator of men though he was. Mr..
Phillips did not associate with them very freely
in the ordinary ways of social life. He belonged
even make one of that llustrious band
of which Charles Sumner, and EN-
erson. and Hawthorne were distin-
guished figures, that used to meet
db TIC Oiu COruor UOOhSlor0 III TIE UdFS Wneu
w. d. Ticknor was at the head of the publish
ing house. The most delightful of takers. and.
what is go rare, the most SYMPATHETIC and attent
i've OF listeners-two of the highest social
graces--he yet held himself aoof from society.
Whether this was the result of circumstances or
choice shall never know. But that it affected
his knowledge of men there is no doubt. He
did not know men we'll, and if he misjudged
them at times 1t was not strange But these
misjudgments were sometimes tempered with
clear lightning PllmDSeS of character that
like illuminatoEs. OF the literary men of his
day his estimates were appreciative and just
Whittier, who voiced the anti slavery cry so eff.
fectively, was, of course the most valued by
him, but his love of form and beauty in any
channel was too strong for him to overlook any
eloquent expression. E. P. Whipples elegance
and grace of expression was thoroughly apprec-
ated by him. and Mr.. Whipples lecture upon
Martin Luther, with its strong radical hits which
boldly and wittily struck at the then existing
proslavery tendencies of our government by
way of ingenious smile, greatly delighted him.
When. three years ago. had engaged to write
note to Mr. Phillips, asking him if he could give
me some personal "reminiscences of our friend.
He replied: II wish / knew something about
Whipple. brilliant gem as he is. But don't,
never having been brought much in contact
with him. / remember one story,
when folks dreaded radicaism on the Lyceum
platform. some idiot advised timid committee
to invite Whipple. as a safe man. Ed. P. heard
now ne was commenced, ana TOOK GOWN Ills
lecture on Luther
1.-The folks stared, bit their lips and shook their
heads. We'll, If this fellow is specimen OF
your safe men we'd like to see radical
They thought no crazy ism could go beyond
that"
Radical to extremes upon the humanitarian
principles of anti-savery, prohibition, labor,
ETC., Mr. Phillips was no radical in religion
though his liberal ideas had carried him beyond
all bgotry and narrowness. The power Of be-
of ar f0r 11wv
strong for spiritual things. In the last CONVEX
sation that had with him, few months be-
fore his death, this belief was very warmly ex-
pressed.
said something of the depressing eff ect upon the
mind OF modern doubt and unbeef
In moment he exclaimed. emphatcally:
MY dear friend, it is only few foolish peo-'
pie who have these doubts. Why, have no
more doubt of Immortality than have of the
fact that I am talking with you at this mo-
ment."
Here was one of his sweeping statements: "a
few foolish people" yet as he spoke his confident
composure his absolute belief, seemed TO lift me
into clearer atmosphere, where doubt was I'M
known And this composure. this belief. went
with him to the end-to that day when, sudden
ly faced with the supreme fact of death, as he
essayed to rise from his bed, he quietly laid back
upon his pillow with the words, II am not afraid
to die"
He was afraid of nothing. of life as little as of
death, and he left behind him in that swift and
tranquil departure consistent picture of I'M
questioning acceptance and uncompromising
courage. The faults Of his methods will disap-
pear as the years go on and ne will stand in the
history of the time superb figure richly gift
ed and royalty disposing of these gifts to the
cause of humanity.
Drummer's Lively Trade In Kansas.
Chicago Herald
"Travel:n'p queried the elderly passenger.
who must talk or die. as he leaned over and
looked into the face of young drummer.
Guess am" replied the young man.
''Seln goods2"
YES"
where DO you travel 'FRONT.'"
Chicago"
Business purity goodl'