Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-05-20

and those ADJOINING. SomeDmeS' "h'h
he had number of appointments IN one
county, nearly tho whole Democratic
population -men, women, and children
wonld 90 20 hear him, and then follow
him around from day to day to swell the
crowd at every speaking rive or ten
thousand persons was not an uncommon
audience AT many OF his ordinary county
seat meetings.
A NATIONAL REPUTATION.
His first opportunity for achieving q
national reputation WAS III 1893, at the
trial OF John T.. Cook, for participation
in old John Browns raid into Virginia.
Mr.. voorhees, was employed by Gov
ernor Willard to defend young Cook,
who was his wife's brother. and on tins
occasion he achieved forensic triumph
that has seldom been equalled 10y an adj
yocate in this country. On the pub
LEGATION of Childe Harold, Lord
Byron said al avoke one morn
ing and found myself famous. "
With equal truth Mr.. Voorhees,
might have used the same expression,
when o few days after the trial the
country was ringing with the praises Of
this great speech which had beenprinted
in the Washington taiOn and copied all
over the country. The Legislature of
Florida printed the speech on white satin
and presented copy elegantly bound to
Mr.. Voorhees,. When he returned 10
Indiana he was received everywhere by
his friends with their thanks and congrat-
ulations. John l.. Robinson had earnestly
opposed Mr.. Voorhees, going to Virginia
10 defend one of the murdcrous gang
who had invaded Virginia 20 inclte ser
vile insnrrection; but on his return
Robinson was among the first to greet
and congratulate him on the hOnors he
had achieved and the splendid manner
in which he had borne himself. From
this time forward to the present day Mr..
Voorhees, has been regarded by his
friends as facjio prnccps among the bril-
liant.
1t is the common impression that Mr..
Voorhees, forte rs a speaker lies IN rhe-
torical pyrotechnics. This is a great
mistake. The truth is, the chief merit
Of his speeches consists in the compact
and logical strength of his argument,
clothed in simple and homely
English. An Old friend of the
Senator's, who has heard him speak
hundreds Of times at the bar,
on the stump, and in the Sen
ate chamber, compares his style
to q monoith column Of granite en-
twined with a beautiful Towering vine.
In the early years of Mr.. Noorheess
public career no had the greatest powers
of endurance He could speak hour
after hour with all the ease and grace of
swallow On the wing, or if occasion re-
CURED, be could swoop down like an
eagle from the mountaineering. his
memory WAS prodigiOus. In his early
wears he WAS an Omnlverous reader OF
history and polite literature. lie read
rapidly, but in great measure 1t stuck
like burr in his memory for life.
SUPERIOR OF THE OLD SENATORS.
1t has become matter of.dispute in
Washington who is the foremost orator
of the Senate. For logic and concise
language Carlisle is not surpassed by
any senator. There have been and are
number of others in the Senate
noted for their powers OF speech,
but they should not be named in
the category of natural orators. Among
these may be mentioned ex-Senators
Evarts and Edmunds, Senators Vest
and Turpic these are all forcible,
scholarly speakers but for natural ora
tory, which, in its commonly-accepted
definition includes, besides matter
and choice of language, voice, in
tonation, gesture, etc, Mr.. Voorhees, is
easily the superior of any OF them. EX-
Senator Ingalls, is finished orator he
is possessed of fine, strong voice his
elocution is almost perfect, But his
oratory is artificial, while that of Mr..
Voorhees, is natural. The former is a
master of invective, is great student,
has a retcntivc memory and happy
faculty of making dprOpOS use OF what
he has read, his speeches being always
filled with classic quotations. These
qualities, coupled with his elocutlon-
ary powers and marked individu-
atty, made MIN a conspicuous figure IN
the Senate, and he was often pointed out
as It's greatest orator. Mr.. Voorhees, has
strongly sympathetic voice and an
earnest delivery that impresses his hear
ers. His eloquence comprehends every
mode in which deep feeling may be ex-
pressed. either by words, tones, looks,
or gestures, vigorous understanding
glowing Imagination. rich and appro-
pirate language, with fluency, ANNA
ton. and suitable action. At times 1t
glances AMI beams like heat lightning,
and again burns and blasts like the bolt,
now scornful and savage, again mirth-
ful, or sympathetic. 1T is IN the last
that he appears to the best advantage.
This is the eloquence that springs from
a GOOD heart. How often has he used 1T
with effect when human life trembled
IN the balance In his criminal law
practice be is almost always to be found
on the side of the defendant ; he is ever
for the under dog in the fight. Thus We
find that in the late war his sympathy
was with the South.
Mr.. Voorhees, loves nature, and has
soul full of music He has been known
to stand and listen delightedly even to
the strains of a street-organ. Generous
by nature. he has sometimes denied
| himself the comforts of life that he
might assist friend in need. These
are qualities of heart more than of mind
that endear him to his Indiana constit1-
ency. His name will be remembered
by them with affection when others OF
wider fame and greater achievement:
shall have long since been forgotten.
The writer, though intimately &C
ouainted with Mr.. Voorhees,, has beer
at considerable pains to gather inforna
ton from his early friends and acquaint-
ances, and among others is indebted tC
Hon. A. b. Carlton, Teunis q. Gergin,
and Elias w. Van Norhis.