The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-10-25

the ablest stump speakers Of the west.
The tributes that the masses paid to his
oratory have never been exceeded, and
yet, although Smith later became a mems
Der of Lincoln's cabinet, he seems to have
been forgotten. In war time Davis was es-
teemed by many as, In some respects, tha
most fascinating Of stump speakers HIS
Was fiery impassloned and always terribly
in earnest, and his power was so great
that he was able to handle a Baltimore
mob with ease. A very brilliant future
was predicted for him, but he was cut off
in his prime. Curtis gifts as an orator
were Of a kind that appealed only to an in-
telligent and thinking audience, but given
this. he was one OF the most admirable
speakers Of his generation, with POLISH
and grace very like that Of Wendell Phil-
lips, one of the most perfect orators that
ever spoke the English tongue.
James G. Blaine, as stump speakers
suggested much Of the career of Henry
Clay. lie was not n superb orator, bue
he was unusually, earnest, magnetic and
persuasive speaker, and never failed to
arouse the enthusiasm and win the af~
lection Of his audience In his own pes
culiar field he was without a peer Ros-
coe ConlSling, after Blaine, was the ablesc
stump speaker the republican party has
boosted since the war. His speeches
seemed to be extemporaneous, but, as a
matter of fact, oratory was with Conk-
ling an arduous and laborious art HIS
speeches were written out, polished with
infinite care, and then committed to mems
ory, but so remarkable was his memory
that the delivery Of even the longest
speech seldom, IL ever, varied from tha
manuscript he had previously prepared.
Conkling on the stump, as in private life
was impressive, rhetorical, sarcastic, and
words came from his lips In superb
rhythm and delicious melody. The con-
trast which he presented to his great RI
val Blaine was a atriking one. Conklina
inspired respect, admiration and intellec-
tual approval; Blaine commanded affec-
ton, and that quality which, when dis
played I'm a soldier, would lead an army
into a forlorn hope. Each will be es-
termed in his own way as the greatest
Of the post-bellum speakers.
The achievements on the stump Of tho
gifted and witty Sunset" Cox. the poll
shed and pleasing Daniel Dougherty, ana
the shrewd and acrimonious Benjamin F.
Butler, are still fresh in the minds Of tno
people, but all were inferior as orators to-
James A. Garfield, who from 1865 to 1880
was one OF the best stump speakers before
the public. Garfield had carefully cult
waited ali the arts OF the orator, and oe
striking presence and powerful, vibfanu
voice, was ever eloquent and impressive-
His manner in his speeches was first en-
gagng, by reason of its frankness ana
moderation, and afterward impressive by
It's earnestness and vigor AT the climax
Of speech. he gathered up all the forcs
of statement and logic he had been mar
shaling, and hurled them upon his LISTEN
ers with tremendous force. His eyes d.
lated, his form seemed to expand, his
voice took on a sort OF explosive quality.
his language gained the hight OF slmplo
and massive eloquence and his gestures
became 50 energetic that he seemed, at
m ha
siedge- hammer blows, throwing his argu-
ments forward like the solid shot from n
cannon Garheld's brilliant and melo-
dramatic career, with its startling ana
pathetic ending, was due In the main to
his power as a speaker, which calls to-
mind the curious fact that, notwithstand-
Ing the political influence which capacity
on thes lump gives to him who possesses
i, Garfield and Lincoln were the only
Presidents since the formation Of tha
government who had any gift OF that
kind.