The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-11-08
SHERIDAN AND JUDGE WEST.

Story About Two Great Orators, Neither of
Whom Was Feeling Very Well.
Washington letter in New York Tribune.
81 see." said an OLD stumpspeaker. "that Gen.
George A Sheridan has been pokin2 little
good -natured fun at Senator Evarts because the
Senator used up a whole evsning and didn't
leave time for any of the other speakers to have
their say. 1t is one of the trials OF popular
'stumper' to be frequently shut out in that way
by a gentleman of nstonal reputation. Sheri-
dan has had such an experience several times
and don't wonder that he is little sensitive.
Not many years ago he was advertised to ad-
dress big Republican meeting at Toledo 1t
happened that Judge West, the eloquent blind
orator, and a man OF great popularity among
the Buckeyes, was in the city at that time.
Tho local managers invited him to be
present and make few Introductory remarks
Though his health was poor. the Judge promised
to be on hand and, If he had strength enough,
to say few words He was there, but his
feebleness was 80 apparent that the managers
Of the meeting almost felt ashamed that they
had asked his presence. They, however. as
sured the Judge that he would only be asked to
make a very brief speech to enable them to
keep their promise and not dsapDoint his
friends. Judge West was greeted as he always
is, with enthusiasm. AZ the outset he told his
bearers he was not feeling we'll that evening and
the condition or his health must excuse any ex-
tended remarks. But when he got started in
the earnestness of his talk he forgot all about
his physical troubles and entered upon q COM
prehsnsive discussion of the issues Of
the campaign. When half an hour had
passed. George Sheridan, who was
seated on the platform, began to get
uneasy. At the end of hour be was fdgety.
Two hours passed, aud the stream OF elo-
ouence flowed on Sheridan showed signs of dis
gust. The audience. which had come to hear
him, was also getting impatient but the high
spect in which the speaker was held prevented
any demonstration. As the third hour was
nearing its end Sheridan got mp, and after put
ting on his overcoat sat down again. The peo-
pie applaaded and Judge West innocently
enough supposed the applause was meant for
himself and took a fresh start. His strength,
however, had really given out, and few min
utes after IL he closed rather abruptly, saying
he would discuss the subject he had just taken
mp some other evening when he was feeling bet
ter.
'You may imagine that the people who had
waited all this time TO hear George Sheridan
were not going to be disappointed. They called
for him uproariously. and without removing his
overcoat he came forward. His talk was some
thing like this:
"'Fellow Citzens-The hour is late. I was
advertised to address you tonight. 1 came all
the way from Cincinnati to do It. / want to
keep my promise. But before / begin you must
understand the situation. IL is only fair to warn
you that am not feeling very we'll myself, to-
night
Sheridan never finished the sentence. The
crowd laughed itself wild. Then it promised to
take the consequences of his ill-health. and for
half an hour he told his inimitable stories with
out botherng much about their application. But
the address he expected to make to the Toledo
people was never delivered, aud IL yoU ask him
about il you'll find he is still sore on the sub
iect"