Birmingham age-herald., 1894-07-14
THE PERSONALITY OF pEBs.

THE PERSONALITY OF DEBS.
 The bad eminence acquired by Eugene Debs lends a certain interest to the man. We are naturally curious to know what manner of man this is who undertakes to paralyze continent and in the battle leads tlrost as many followers as Napoleon carried to Moscow. Not that we care par tieularly for his height or his weight or the color of his hair and eyes. or the style of his dress, except as these may serve to throw some light on the nature and character of the living force that we call Debs.
 All accounts agree that this man is vivid and winning personality. His parents came from France. He has educa- tion. He was a popular man in Terre Haute, where he was born and reared, being elected city clerk five times in succession. He was for seven years the most active force and best beloved leader of the fire mem brotherhood. He was a Democrat in politics, was member of the Legisla- ture, pulled into the race as a man popular enough to make success sure, Voorhees needing him. He put the Senator in nom- ination, and only the other day that great statesman praised Debs' abilities and aVOWeQ liE unaueCteu IOuuneSS TOT HIS youthful and brilliant supporter.
 Debs' wife and sister are in Chicago, and have talked freely of the man whom they plainly worship and believe in with ex- travagant loyalty and devotion. He is strong character, for women do not bow down to weddings, however they may love them. They unite in declaring their hus- band and brother the family pet and idol; domestic man, devoted to his parents-a home body; great reader of Shakespeare and of history and of Victor Hugo's novels; a man who has read stLes Miserableso more times than he can remember, loving those gloomy records of human suffering. At that point we catch the first real glimpse of the man who brooded over the wrongs of the weak and poor till his imagi- nation ran away with his facts, and he in- augurated a reign of lawlessness unknown in times of peace before.
 To a mind that way inclined a little drink is dangerous thing. Debs became a confirmed drunkard, a patient of Keeley, drunkard again and patron of another prescription. Yet he held the devotion of his family and associates through it all. We have each of us seen and known men who did that, whose hold on their family and friends no obliquities could loosen, and in every case they had two things talent and magnetic personality.
 So much for the good that shines through the evil this man has wrought, and that rises above his weak appetites. Now for the one fatal spot. In an interview with woman reporter his sister, whose loy- alty and admiration of her brother amounts to passion, said:
 "He doesn't go to any church at all,'' she said with emphasis. "He's an infidel. We are a family of inf1dels, every one of us. Col. Robert G. Ingerson, whom all know and admire, is our only Pope. And that reminds me that Eugene's voice is very much like Col onel Ingersoll's, strong and powerful and very pleasant to listen to. He doesn't make many speeches nowadays, but he is very good talker. He is rather deliberate in his speech, as he is in all his actions. Eugene is the reverse of Q nervous man. I don t believe anyone ever saw him in a hurry. He's not one of the fiery. impulsiVe klnd.''
 Inhdeiity inherited from France, fostered by close personal friendship with Ingersoll, fertilized with liquor and much breeding over the wrongs of the poor as reflected in Victor Hugo's fiction, left bright intel lect anchorless and adrift, so that it went upon a rock. A man of sunny tempera- ment like Ingersoll's can endure with no belief, but thoughtful and serious mind must find resting place, an anchorage, in some faith or other, else it ends in crime or a mad house. :,