Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1899-08-11
QUINN TELLS OF INGERsOLL.

QUINN TELLS OF INGERSOLL.
In the Tammany Times, of New York
to which j. NJ. Quinn, formerly of the
Tribune, is contributor, there is an art.
icle from Quinn's pen on Robert &. Inger-
soil. 1t is a kindly tribute FROM a warm
hearted mar to a great One of the
incidents woven into the article is found
ed on Quinn's experience on the Tribune
when lngcrsoll lcctured here. He says:
Icannot forget the kindness with which
the great controversialist received me
when, as the representative of a Western
newspaper, l called upon him to obtain
an interview on the Blaine-C Cleveland
campaign. He Lad refused to discuss
politics in the large cities through which
he had passed on his way westward, and
| felt that | was on a hopeless mission.
However, l mustered courage for the at
tempt. 1t was the morning after the de-
livery of his lecture Oh "OrthodoXy'' and
but an hour before the arrivalof the train
on which he was to depart. Instead of
~encountering unapproachable dignity, |
found a warm, hospitable, Democratic
combination of sympathy and sunshine.
Whether through compassion for the re-
porter or a desire to take a hand in the
campaign, he promptly consented to an
interview.
Write out your questions, | will write
the answers" was his good natured COM
mand. The questions were presented.
CHANGING over the paper, he said:
Every well: return in a half hour and
~, ,.il1 .,.,-p .~,, %>s -.
than three quarters of al hour remained
for him in town. AS the train whistlcd
| entered the hotel lobby to find the Col
oncl handing a large envelope to the
clerk. 1t was the interview which was
the feature of the paper on the following
day. 1t was thoroughly 1ngersollian-
bright, ,epigrammatic and forcible. OF
course, he was for Blaine, reports of a
knight and himself to the contrary not
outstanding. 1t was Il comparison be-
tween Blaine and Cleveland and an appeal
to the Young men of the country. He
painted Blaine as an ideal patriot, saving
of him. "the 18th of July courses through
his VEINS" a remark which, had it been
printed in New York instead of in Oak
ota. would have become a vote winning
y ttIS licuSllouI LIZ IlullOus
This is butone ofhundr.ds of instances
that could be related by newspaper men
throughout the country who, no matter
what their creed, loved the true humanity
of the man. No struggling reporter even
visited without departing with lighter
heart and a better opinion of mankind.
Although differing from him in his be-
lief in Christianity, Quinn says of Inger-
soils genius as an orator:
He vas the master word painter of his
time. From out the garden of his mind
speech came in garlands fair. His brain
was filled with summer thoughts which
blossomed OF his lips.
He clothed his arguments in floral
garb and made them welcome to unwill-
ing ears. A thrust was hidden in a vocal
rose, and in his gentler mood he led his
hearers where the violets grew.
He was an orator supreme, a poet of
SURPRISING gifts, but best Of all. he was
the prince of lovers. With him, love
never grew cold. The divine flame
burned with increasing warmth through
all the years of his career. Fortunate in
the winning of a bride, he made his
home the temple of his devotion: and
when Death came it found him with his
sweetheart true, a loyal lovers smile
upon his face.
And of the effect of his opposition to
orthodoxy:
The church is strengthened rather
than weakened by attacks. Let no one
assail it and it's followers become inditfer.
ent. Strike at it and millions rise up ir
its defense, their loyalty strengthened
their zeal quickened. The old church
OF ages has gained steadily and will con
tinue to gain SO long as time shall last
Christianity is the vital moving force O.
our civilization. 1t has been the saft
harbor for the children of the past. it i!
the haven where unborn generations ar,
to be schooled for the battle of life. It.
teachings of right and wrong are baset
upon eternal Truth, and the man VIII
rises uppublicly to denounce it, strength
ems the church and weakens himself.