The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-09-22
VIE GREAT MEN HAVE wEPT.
Instances Showing High Personages
Whose Emotions Found Vent.

1t is probably for the sole reason that
few men are ever seen 10 weep that
the opinion largely prevails that most
men are incapable of crying as women
all cry. in commissions and with the
copious shedding of tears. But the
opinion is in part. Not to
bring the name of the great exemplar
and holy pattern of mankind into this
place, it still may be nantioned that
he on one occasion wept. And MI
nent men in all history have done the
same, and, as ii would appear, the
more eminent some men were the more
easily were they moved to tears. In
all instances tears are the result of
excessive emotion, but those of women
are always in full supply and ready
at the call of the emotions
on the instant to flow, while
those of men seem to be, as
it were, at the bottom of the emotional
well, and hard to raise, except in cases
where the ~profounder feelings are deep
" and for long disturbed. Then they
flow, and flowing they move the wit
nesses to have like feelings. One emil
nent man seen to be overtaken
with a fit of crying when on a plat
form before an audience, has been
known to set others to crying also,
though the others could not possibly
have felt the matter very deeply.
Governor Richard Yates, Illinois
great war governor, had finely strung
nerves and his brain and heart both
were all alive to environment. He was
brave in the advocacy of causes hat
commanded his approval and severe
and relentless against the enemies of
those causes. But at the same time
he was as tender as any woman where
tenderness could have been looked for
in any man. He loved his friends. He
a q great attachment TO Jackson
vile. his own beautiful little city. The
good opinion Of it's people toward him
and their devotion to his interests were
the things in the world that he most
dearly priced. on one occasion, when
his fellow townsmen testified their love
and regard for him he broke down in
tears while responding in a speech of
thanks.
1t was near the end of January. 1865,
and the circumstances were these: He
had vacated the office of governor, Civ
ing place to General Oglesby, and
thereupon became an active candidate
for election to the United States SEN
ate. He had been for some time a
candidate. but not until then did it APP
pear necessary for him to particularly
urge his claims. Now E.. b. Wash
burn entered into sharp and even Bit
ter competition with him for the posi-
ton of senator. There vas on account
of this great excitement at Springfield
and throughout the state. Yates pri.
vate character was attacked, and the
influential males of Jacksonville came
up to the capital almost to a man in
order to show to the whole public how
we'll their most distinguished citizen
stood at his home. Washburn caused
serious breaks in the Yates ranks. TAX
ing away a number of Yates pledged
supporters. But. after all, in the eau
- ~ 49, yvaz vAY do arAV a
close-Yates was nominated and elect
ed.
Then the people of Jacksonville i'm
mediately set about giving him a nom
partisan reception in the opera house
in that place. All the Yates men OF
the legislature. many of the prominent
citizens of Springfield and of many 9TH
er towns in the state at once repaired
to Jacksonville to participate in the
popular demonstration. Newton Bate
man of the Illinois college made the
welcoming speech. n then the dis
tinguished guest of the evening began
his speech in reply. He had not got
very far i'm ii. however. when his voice
ouavered. his form shook and he cried
like a child. Among the men there was
hardly a dry eye in the large audi
ence. but the women were far less re-
moved: they apparently could not I'M
derstand IL all: Ii was not one of theiI
occasions for tears.
When Lincoln's body arrived in Chica'
go this community was deeply agitated
and when il was moved through tbs
streets on a catafalque his community
an one person was awed and bowed in
profound reverence. But not many tearf
were shed: though in the most prevent
ed suffusion at the eyes. But some mer
did cry. and they were noticed to be IN
steadiest heads in the pressing crowds
Ii was the result of strictly masculine
emotion. in which few women did ol
could share. Perhaps this incapacity II
explained by some Of the medical writ
tiers or perhaps y is a matter for tn
psychologists: anyhow, il is noticed tins
and time again that mems and womeni
tears do not often flow at the same tim
and firm the same causes. On publi'
occasions, and for national or othe'
great distresses. women are not niue
given to crying. while men are givel
TO crying there IL ever In the sick room
or at the common funeral il is different