Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1888-04-19

\CIN\JyyTYN billows and pa
SGU b1NU tiently clinging to
Z 5AMM the thread of his
WDNE I discourse, even
while the loud
boom of the breakers caught up his shrill re-
marks and hurled them into space, he was
not preparing to make an impression upon the
history of his time, as we have been taught.
He was simply rehearsing speech which he
hoped to deliver at the Clover club, of Phila-
delphia.
People who have formed the idea that
Philadelphia is not given to sociability and
cheerful interchange of thought are unfa-
miliar with the methods of the Clover club,
especially under the administration of Moses
Purnell Handy.
For the information of those who may read
this piece, yet have not had the pleasure Of
addressing this successful organization, let
me say that it is a custom of the club to in
vite eminent statesmen, poets, judges, hu-
morists and other freaks to come to its
annual dinners and make speeches. The
club assists in the delivery of these speeches,
adding thoughts of its own as the orator pro-
ceeds, and also making inquiries regarding
the personal characteristics of the speaker,
which are calculated to divert his attention
from what he was about to say.
The only way to speak successfully at
Clover club dinner, believe, is to avoid say
ing what you were about to say.
had the pleasure of holding a converse
Zione with the Clover club on the occasion Of
its sixth annual meeting. l had been led to
believe that the air of refinement which
people notice about me wherever go would
entitle me to the respect and kind considera-
ton of the club. Even should that fail, how
ever, thought that no one could help admir-
ing my unwavering confidence in myself, a
confidence which is all the more heroic and
praiseworthy on my part, because it has
not been shared by the general public. 1t is
no great honor to indorse popular man, but
it is certainly meritorious in any one to show
confidence in one who needs it very much.
But the Clover club is not constructed with
view to the building up and fostering of
rhetorical industries. 1t is built upon the
moral theory that man who speaks publicly
does so for the edifilation of the audience.
This is quaint and extremely eccentric idea.
Generally it is otherwise Public speakers
arise and enjoy themselves, while the audi
ence, though largely in the majority, has to
suffer- il the members of the Glover club do
not like the tendencies of a speech, they sug-
gest to the speaker some other line or
thought They do not do so Extensively.
| They approach him in courteous way, SO as
| to avoid giving him pain, Perhaps they sing
| eleven or twelve verses in reference to the
Derby Ram, table delicacy of which the
club is passionately fond, or in some other
adroit way they intimate to him that the
pleasure of the audience should be consulted
before that of the speaker
did not know that. had always before
selfshly reveled in the wonderful cadence Of
nv own melodious Skowhegan voice, for
getting that the audience had rights.
enjoyed it very much, for was down at
the foot of the table having fun with DR..
Bedloe, and knew that at this rate, with
hundred guests to be gently scared half to
death in that way, would not be reached
before Friday, and thought that l could get
away before that time. 1t was at this supreme
moment, when saturated with a soothing
sense of security and congratulating myself
on the wonderful way in which Mr.. Maltby's
dress suit fitted me, that the president Of the
club, observing that I had my mouth full OF
ice which l did not know what to do with,
introduced me to the brilliant assemblage.
I felt embarrassed and was about to say SO,
I believe, when Ex-Governor Bum, who was
appointed and received the portfolio as gover-
nor of Idaho solely by reason of his great
powers as a conversational, said something
| to me which did not bear upon what l was
about to say myself.
While was thinking of a bon mot which
would wipe Governor Bum from the face OF
| the earth, such as a reference to him as
| Bunny, and request that I might be per-
L., hooI in, laroa a
good cry, or something like that, Mr..
jerome, gentleman from New York, who IS
| 60 years of age, said something which was
highly enjoyable, but which, after Col.
| Thomas P. Ochiltree, Col. McCaull and Col.
| Mcclure join in the same time, seemed to
omen ND an entirely new line of thought from
what had intended to follow.
Twas about to administer tart rebuke to
Mr.. Jerome, when I happened to remember
his greater age and resolved not to do so.
NY attention was also at this time attracted
by the sounds of music. 1t was a Tyrolean
air, and referred to the Derby Ram, which
seems to have wild fascination for the gen.
tlemen of the club, and when such voices as
those of Wayne MacVeagh, Gen. Horace
Porter refrain it is well worth going to Phil
adelphia and sitting up till long after Q
| O'CLOCK 10 uedT.
So l decided not to speak while these well
known vocalists were engaged in song. As
they were encored, they obliged by singing
'Maryland, my Maryland" with improvisa-
tions by the great impresario, Mr.. Jerome.
| then stood on the other leg awhile and
tried to recall what I had said, which had
reminded the auditors Of these songs, but
could not. In all my remarks SO far, al
though had been on my feet twenty minutes
or SO, 1 had carefully avoided saying any
thing that would call forth an attack Of this
kind. had used no language which would
naturally provoke such men as Col. Taylor
| or Col. Mcclure to song.
was on my feet about twenty minutes,
but during that time can say truthfully
| that said nothing which now regret.
People afterward spoke Of my impressive
manner and said also used rare discretion
In avoiding so many unpleasant features
which are apt to stir up i'll feeling at such q
| time.
They named whole columns Of things which
| had thus evaded, and every one said that it
I had erred at ell it was in the direction OF
conservatism. All the members Of the club
who expressed any opinion about it said that
they were in favor Of printing my remarks
with rubber stamp.
There can be no more comfortable sensa-
| 49, I fancy than to be q guest at one OF