The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1890-01-02

lie was often seen 10 Jump from stree
car and stop his stenographer on the
street, and there dictate something thai
had just struck his fancy. Most of hi
work was done in that spasmodic way
He loved brilliancy and originality
but wearied of the hum-drum every,
day round Of the newspaper grind. He
was emotional, and was never 50 happy
as when at work on something that ap-
pealed to his feelings. When his inter.
est was aroused he would tax himself
to the full extent of his abilities.
Mr.. Grady's fame is without doubt
due more to his eloquence as an orator
than to his work as a journalist. He
was born orator. His presence as he
faced an audience was eloquence per
sonitied. His voice was clear and mu-
sical. His we'll rounded sentences,
composed of the most euphonious
words, fell from his lips with distinct
utterance and sweet ringing sound.
While he was not a loud speaker, he
so we'll modulated his voice that every
person in his audience heard what he
had to say. His manner was graceful
and his gestures Were most appropriate.
AS he warmed up to his subject his ges-
lures became frequent and lis speak
ing rapid. In his most rapid speaking
he never mouthed his words. Every
word fell from his lips distinct and
strong. He was very happy in the
choice of his words. Many of his most
famous orations were delivered extern
poraneously; but in none of them could
his language be much improved upon.
He had the right words in the right
places and the sentences most harmo-
niously arranged. He said that manu-
script hampered him. He thought
over what he intended to say and
trusted to the inspiration of the occa-
sion for the form of expression. The
speech delivered often varied very
much from the speech prepared. The
famous speech on the New South de-
livered before the Southern Society in
New York was a spontaneous outburst
and many of its utterances were due to
the excitement of the occasion.
His orations were finished with great
care and will take permanent rank in
the literature of the South, while his
speeches will soon pass away as tempo
rary sensations. The oration delivered
last simmer at the University of Vir-
ginia was one of the grandest specimens
of American eloquence. It was full of
hA1-A>I;f-i-:--o--J -J-srrFrE- 1-o-r----'r-7r''--
historical allusion, and at the same
time was underlaid with the soundest
and highest statesmanship: was
not passing oratorical meteor; but was
the utterance Of native Southerner,
who had studied the times and spoke
as if he had a message to deliver to the
people. 1t will take rank as a State
paper. The recent speech at Boston
has deservedly added to his fame. It
is recognized as the best deliverance
yet made on the Southern question.
1t has done good and will continue to
do good. 1t will speak on although
the eloquent lips of it's author are closed
forever. 1t was glorious martyrdom
to give his life to make so true and so
patriotic an appeal for his country!
His fame will rest securely upon that
grand last effort. It will be the laurel
wreath that will crown in all time the
brow Of the orator, journalist and
statesman.
In his home Mr.. Grady was most
happy. He was fond Of beauty and
had collected around him many valu-
able and rare specimens Of art. His
library was filled with the literature of
the world. His house was all ideal
home for a literary man. He was free
and easy in the family circle and was
always anxious to be with his wife and
children. He was affectionate and
generous. His friends were always
welcome at his tireside. He was proud
of his home and proud Of the city he
had done so much to build up. On all
occasions Of public interest he was
called upon to lead. His house was
the headquarters of all visiting celeb
rites. Many were the receptions and
dinners given there. They were all
great successes and are indelibly fixed
in the memory of those who partici-
pated in them.
Mr.. Grady was an earnest believer in
the Christian religion. He was regu-
lar in his attendance upon the services
Of his church, and was leader in all
movements that he believed concerned
the morality Of his people. He was a
member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church South, and was an officer in
the Atlanta church that he attended.
III the great struggle several years age
on the question OF prohibition, Mr..
Grady was a profound advocate of pro-
hibition, and spoke nearly every night
while the contest was at its highest to
try to influence the people of Atlanta
to Danish whiskey from their city
He was bold in action after he had de.
cidcd what course to take. He was
just and careful Of the rights of others
but when he had deciden upon course
OF action he threw his whole soul into
the cause he espouSed.
His place in Atlanta will he hard tc
ill. He was called to lead every move
ment begun there. He was president
0f thp Piedmont EYOOSiti0n-in fa