Evening star., 1898-12-03

ington or in the ses-
sons of the cabinet, but should occasion
arise to defenu the course Of the admins
tration there are not eight more fully equip
ped men in the United States. They conld
make themselves felt on the platform or
stump with speakers selected from any
body or organiza ton in the United States.
One can stand outside the cabinet door at
each meeting of the Presidents advisers
ane never hear word spoken on the in
side This is because the business Is con-
Quoted in a husiness-like way, and the con-
versation is not above the ordinary tone.
Only once or twice in the last year was
there ever anything like speechmaking in
the cabinet soon. This was back just be-
fore the outbreak of the war with Spain.
President Mckinley was preparing a spe-
cial message to Congress and strong III
fluence was being brought to have him rec
ommend that the independence of Cuba be
recognized. The question was under dis
cussion, and there was considerable diffec
ence of opinion among the members. Sew
eTal began talks, but before they had fin
ished they resorted to oratory. Attorney
General Griggs had just then entered the
cabinet. He had never before addressed 50
distinguished an audience, but the fire was
in him. Arising. he made speech against
recognition which decided the cabinet
against that course. The speech is declared
b. cabinet members to have been the finest
ever heard by them. The young Attorney
General apparently recognized that more
than ordinary eloquence. combined with an
abundance of facts, would have to be used.
He rose to the occasion, and compIi-
mented on all sides.
The Secretary OF state.
Judge Day is speaker but not an ora
ter; not the kind of a man whose words
charm and delight his hearers. He is
methodical speaker, one who can present
facts in such a way that the reason is
swayed. The man who succeeded him
Secretary Hay-is both orator and
speaker. He can win with both eloquenrc
and reason. He is a student of audi
ence. After taking the size of his hearers
he conforms himself accordingly. He is
equally at ease at a banquet of great brains
in Great Britain or before audience OF
American workngmen. His pose and ges-
lures add weight to the argument and ora
tory which he presents. A long newspaper
training gave him a voca bulary and touch
of words which never fail to charm.
Former Postmaster General Gary was
more of a speaker than an orator. He was
succeeded by a man Of international repu-
tation as d finished and fluent orator. Post
master General Smith is at ease in any
gathering. He ranks with Secretary Hay
in this respect. He has thorough com
m&nd of language, and in making speech
o. writing an editorial his application of
words is engaging and attractive. He is
always in demand as an orator. His hap
piest efforts have been in after-tiinner
speeches. AS a political speaker he is skill
full and almost invulnerable. He is familiar
with every political topic and has made
many Il vote for his party by his eloquence
Secretary Longs E1oquence.
Secretary Long has for years been recog-
nized one of the foremost orators in a
state which has given to the Union Web
ster, Choate, Everett and Winthrop. The
popularity of Secretary Longs oratory Is
its absolute simplicity and naturalness.
He addresses an audience just as he
would talk to a group of men and women
in parlor, with ease, grace, and is re-
markably strong in persuasion. So quiet
and gentle We're Mr.. Longs methods that
as lawyer addressing the jury it never
seemed to the juryman that he was being
reasoned with, or that an argument was
directed at him. 1t rather appeared as if
he We're listening to the common sense
talk of a sympathetic friend. This Is the
secret of Mr.. Longs success as an advo-
cate and public speaker.
One characteristic of Secretary Long
which makes 1t possible for him to be sim
pie and natural, and at the same time earn
est and eloquent, is his ripe scholarship
Had he devoted himself TO literature lie
would have made shining mark. Even
his taking up a pen as a diversion has re-
suited IN some maSterful products. When
quite young man he wrote a poetic trans
lation of the Aeneid of Virgil, which is
still standard work. Some of his fugi-
tive poems have found places in the hymn
books, and many a gem of expression in
prose and in verse, is attributable to John
d. Long.
He was a great campaigner in Massa-
chhSetts in the days when party lines were
closely drawn and the state battle groun1
between opposing forces. He stumped the
state against Governor Butler and more
than any other man contributed to that
gentlemans defeat. OF late years Secre-
tary Long has been engroSsed by an
extensive law practice that he has been
able to accept few Invitations to deliver
after-dnner and other occasional ad-
dresses.
An OratOrfcaI Giant.
Several days ago there was a case in ;he
Supreme Court in which Attorney General
Griggs and Joseph II. Choate of New York
appeared on opposite sides. Il am going
up to hear the argument said a promi-
| nent member of the admins tration, "as 1t
will be a contest of giants" Mr. Choates
reputation was made long ago, and the
remark simply shows the estimate OF
governor Griggs, as he prefers to be
known. Before jury of twelve men, a
court or on the hustings Mr.. Griggs has
few superors as an orator. He has the
traditional face of an orator. When only
ordinarily interested In subject his ora
tory is more that of q trained lawyer eX-
pounding facrs, with a mixture of theory
and fancy that he thinks will win his case
but when he is wholly aroused to a subject
| his words flow from his mouth in a con-
vincing and beautiful stream. The repub-
| lican party has not had more successful
| speaker in New jersey. His democratic
| opponents in that state always kept away
| from him when possible. He knows what
| wit is and uses 1T with ease.
Secretary Alger falls little short of a
professional and finished orator. He is of
, good voice, Of ready wit and of better than
| ordinary presence. The Secretary was
never trained as an orator, although he
| once studied law and was admitted to the
| bar. As stump, political or business
| speaker Secretary Alger always proves a
! drawing card, but for an oratoricaI effort
| in which eloquence was to be employed, the
Secretary might show q little unfamiliar
! ity with the business. He Is quite reserved
| in his manner before an audience, end
! doesn't, like Senator Mason, take an audi
| ence into his confidence. What he SAYS is
| hard cold sense, and Is said in the reg
! ulation language of the man Of affairs He
| stands up in front of his audience a plain.
| blunt man, whose word goes because he
! has been successful In life, and because his
| ideas are respected as coming from a man
! who has the confidence of the people of his
! state and Of the country. On the stump
| the Secretary makes q fetching tall