The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-04-24

being the greatest orator, save Prentiss,
this country mas seen.
have heard Bailey, and TO me II seems
that the predominant quality OF his nina
Is logic, the aDiiity 10 measure the fneaii-
ing Of pending pioDiems, the quality OF
accurate statement. the aDiiCy TO take the
broadcast view OF their meaning ana the
philosophy OF their trend; logic In their
analysis that Is as clear as II Is accuratei
and connection of thought so as 10 form
uncrring conviction His is the quality
OF mind that mas struggled against inn
petuosity, intuition and passion. until
thought Is goddess, and truth Is high
priest. I do not believe there Is pubic
man in the Union freer from the tricks
Of the political speaker, or who rises to a
serener height Of craftsmanship in dis
course, than Bailey. One who hears him
feels he has message based on rational
reasoning; and the charm OF tho man
personality rivets attention 10 the dis
course OF the orator. He lacks only Bry-
ans quality of voice TO be the greatest
speaker of his day. He Is greater than
Bryan In brain. greater In presence, In
gesture, In personal force, In self confi-
dence, In magnetism. With Bailey the
audience continually forces itself to re-
strain vOciferous expression of commenda-
ton, because, besides convincing judg-
ment, he has the personal quality of direct
personal appeal to the heart. He nor any
other public man can touch the heart like
Bob Taylor. but Taylor cannot avoid sac
rifcing the value OF logic TO the Joy OF
reyelry in conquest over excited human
emotion; Bailey can do both, and we'll. 1t
Is no test Of misunderstanding TO the
contrary notwithstanding-to be able to
voice one united. excited thought or I'M
pulse OF a concourse OF persons I have
seen great religious revivals, wherein poor
speech touched hearts to tenderness, con-
viction to resolution. and sensibilty TO
tears; and the ranting of demagogc ha-
rangues to move political conventions TO
Wild acclaim, when It voiced united opin-
ion. But the test of oratory is ability to
take a letharglc audience. interest their
attention in premise, convince their judg-
ment in logic, touch their hearts In SYM
pathy and move their will in action; and,
greater still, SO to manage hostile convic-
ton This 1t takes courage rare among
men to undertake. and abilities yet more
rare to accomplish; and this Bailey has
done, is doing, will do An utter fearless
ness of men and measures and mutations
actuates him; confidence In right and faith
In self
The old Idea OF orations was statement
OF premises. statement of propositions,
their analysis, and peroration as a resume
and an appeal to action. This new style
adapted to modern business conditions
has changed this; but there still remains
adherents of the old style, the style of
Cicero, of Clay, of Webster, of Davis. of
Houston of Permissible classic style of
the thinker and the statesman and schol-
ar; and Bailey Is it's noblest representa-
tive. His peroration today was the most
thrilling oratory heard In Houston during
the five years have been here. He i'm
presses me as being the foremost states
man and political and economical scholar
of his day: the most chiyalric knight who
is in the gallant lists OF high debate: the
nsdst fascinating personality of public
men. He lacks only some quality of voice,
some measure of scholastic attainment,
some quality of impassioned imagination,
of being beyond criticism; but has a COM
bination of more qualities that make the
thinker, the student, the statesman, the
orator combined, than are possessed by
any other American young or old. | am
proud of him as Texan. as Southerner,
as an American, and | hope his future Is
as lmiless as his abilities.
Joe II Eagle.