Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-05-09

fetal to be impressive. his celepraleu
grafton on Washington.
When Edward Bates came back from
Missouri about 1858. to visit MS ora
friends. the name and fame when ne
had acquired since he went forth IN ms
young manhood to seek his fortune IN the
Par West made his presence In Richmon"
the sensation OF the day. People gain
cred around him in the streets, and every
BODY was charmed with the simplicity
of his manners and his cordial and kindly
spirit.
Soon the desire to hear this son OF
Virginia. distinguished as an orator ana
statesman. became so strong that ar
rangements were made for him to speak
in the old African church. de had'
think. the largest liberty as to his theme
The audience filed the house and listened
with evident pleasure and 1emohsUatlVe
enthusiasm. TO a discourse. not on the
political issues of the day, but on those
general subjects relating TO the PUBIC
welfare about which there is no dlIer-
ence Of opinion among patriotic citizens
His love for old Virginia, expressed IN
eloquent words that came from the neart'
deeply affected his audience. In coming
10 the city from the West, he had crossed
the Blue Ridge in a stage-this was De-
fore the tunnel. now used by the Chesa-
peake and Ohio railroad, had been bored
through the mountains, and before the
temporary track which was used betore
the tunnel Mr.. Bates referred 10 TINS
tourney across the mountain at What
do YOU call that gap?' he exclaliheu'
'Rockfish Gap" replied some one In the
audience He then described the
grandeur and the beauty OF the scenery,
as he beheld il from the window Of
the stage. and told of his deep emotions,
which prompted him to say, Driver.
stop the stage and let me get OUT ana
then. with increasing eloquence, he
depicted the appearance of the roll
ing hills and wide forests, upon
which he gazed, extending far 10
the east and told us how, as
he stood upon the top Of the mountain.
he had repeated the celebrated lines Oh
Scott:
.Iives there a man with soul so dead,
Who never to himself hath said,
This is my own, my native land'
The effect was thrilling and the ap-
plause tumultuous.
MR. Bolts.
John Minor Bolts often appeared be-
fore his constituents on tAlS platform.
The house contained seats Tor at least
1900 and probably often held as many
as 500 Mr.. Bots always had fu.l
audience. He was not an orator IN the
usual sense of that word He was
never known to use d figurative illustra-
ton. save in one instance. This was
much spoken Of. because il was said 10
be the only one 10 which ne mad ever
given utterance. and because II was APP
propriate and felicitous. He was speak
ing of the addition of new States ana
territories, and the widening extent OF
our couptry. when he said he would not
nave the wings OF the American eagle
10 spread too far, aest a stray shot from
an enemy should bring the noble bird 10
the ground lie commanded attention by
the clearness and force of his language
and his logic, the animation ana SIN
certify with which he spoke, throwing
his whole soul into his words with that
blood earnestness which Is always II
resistible. His voice was clear and pene-
,rating reaching every corner of the
building and every ear that was open
10 hear
AS he appeared before vast assembly
on these occasions, and gradually warm
ga nm 10 his subject, borne Upward by
the attention and interest OF his hearers,
re was fine example Of the great COM
,,onar His face glowed with mental
a,citement and his large form seemed
N expand as he spoke. Then came the
warmth of body, which appeared to make
his clothing oppressive, and TO require
,hat his great white vest should be open
cd There was not time with him Tor
,,ohottonjng. He had a singular and i'm
,resslve way of applying his fingers under
The lower button. and with one pull up
ward throwing the garment open at once.
with this operation came fresh gush
NJ words. and power. as II dam had
heen onened which hindered the cataract
~ his speech, and everybody was more
widely awakened to look out for what
was coming.
As a politician Mr.. Bolts lacked pru-
aence and tact. and 1t was anus
ing to hear him I'm private al
,ude TO the advice which his
friends gave him, and say, Now. am
going 10 be more cautious. Under the
man,pulations of an interviewer ~ the
nresent day he would have said mary
things which ne ought not to have said.
and spoiled his prospects and annoyed
his friends by hts frankness.
In the great debate on the Ashburton
treaty. which sought 10 adjust the line
between Great Britain and the United
States on our northern border. he ala