The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-12-27
SAUNDERS AND MILLER.
Wilmington Messenger.


We do not recall the year, but it was
'befo' de wah' Hon. Romulus M. Saun-
ders, of Raleigh, was representing thaC
congressional district, and ably, Tor ne
was a strong, rugged man. He was no
doubt the ablest debater and canVasser
then in North Carolina among Demo-
Gratis. Hon. A. w. Venable was far be-
yond him in accomplishments, in WIDE
reading and general knowledge, and IN
edoduence, but Saunders was more tnan
his peer in vigor and mental Drawn ana
a resolute, pertinaciouS WILL HIS oppo-
nent for reelection was Henry watkins
Miller, a Virginian, University OF
North Carolina alumnus, very able law
yer a writer of superior gifts, lecturer
of fame in his adopted State, and be-
yond doubt then the strongest depater
in the Wing party in North Carolina.
General Saunders was probably twenty
years the senior of Mr.. Miller. He was
more ready than Miller. We knew the
latter personally well from 1916 to his
death about 1852. He required time to
prepare for debate or for a speech in
court. Give him the overnight to study
his case and he was indeed tremendous
have the case postponed for argument
until the next day. Give Miller ample
time for political canvass and no man
in the State would get victory over him.
The greatest defeat Mr.. Venable ever
received in discussion was by Miller.
This writer ascertained that in 1852, Mr..
Venable would speak at Oxford and an
nounce himself a candidate for re-elec-
ton. We found out what his main theme
or point would be. We got friend to
join us in a letter to Mr.. Miller about two
weeks in advance, telling him what was
to come off, and asking him to come pre-
pared for a speech in reply. This he did,
and he wrote it., and it was afterwards
published by the Whig National Commit
tee in Congress and $4,000 copies were
distributed free 1t was masterpiece
and the concluding paragraphs were the
most felicitous, eloquent and impressive
we ever read from his pen.
Well, he was to meet the Democratic
Boanerges. He was exceedingly well
read in history, in governmental policies
in politics generally. He had studied po-
litical history as a statesman, as a phi
losopher, as man of science. He was
familiar with what newspapers, congress
sional and parliamentary reports and
books had taught as to governments and
political changes. He had very keen,
dark, penetrating eye, a long face, fea-
lures strongly marked, head not CT
Websterian massiveness and dome-like
grandeur but we'll developed He had
grand voice-deep. full, rich, resonant,
sonorous. 1t perhaps lacked fexibility.
He had not so fine voice as the incom-
parable Badger the supreme genius Of
North Carolina. Nor was he Badgers
equal in dramatic qualities. The late
venerable Mr.. Edward j. Hale, of Fay
etteville. in old age held that Badger was
the greatest actor he had ever known
He was in no sense STACEY or with the
mannerism or pronunciation of actors.
He spoke the best English-pure and ele-
gant--we ever heard in extempore speech
or conversation. But Mr.. Miller had
voice, manner, solidity, solemnity and
earnestness that were profoundly impress
siye and captivating. He was master, as
we have intimated, of an admirable writ
ten style-lucid, virile, and sometimes ell
oquent. He often wrote and committed
his finest wrought passages to memory,
a custom not infrequent now among
speakers, and delivered them with the ar
dor and fire Of extemporaneous effort.
course did not write, but confined him.
self to the purely impassioned and rhet-
orical He was very caustic, biting some