The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-10
CONKLING'S SILVER TONGUE.
His Memorable Appearance at "A Chi
cagO Convention.

From -. Devlin-Boss."
Blaine had been named in the conven-
ton at Chicago which saw the tremendous
struggle between Grant and himself for
the presidential nomination, and 1t was his
rivals turn. Then forward on the speakers
stand strobe another man., and every eye
was turned on him. 1t was Roscoe Conk-
ling.
There was something in the figure of this
man, something in his conscious pose. in
the confident, almost vain poise of the
head. as he swept his glance over the hall,
which marked him as a man of power. He
seemed TO say TO them, Here am! Re-
gard mel He looked like a great actor in
the moment before he delivers a period
which he knows will stir his audience.
Tall, broad-shouldered, his body tapering
TO fiat hips and long, firm legs, Conkling
stood squarely and gracefully. His head
was thrown back a little. The lines of his
face resembled a cameo. The high forehead
on which lay a lock of hair. curling from
the rather scant brown of the crown. the
strong, large nose, the carven lips. carried
into jutting prominence by a trim beard of
yellowed brown, fecked with gray-au
these stood out in bold relief. The steelv
CLINT of his eyes pierced his watchers. so
imposing and magnetic was his front. for
all of its theatrical suggestion, that the an
plause which had greeted his appearance
was redoubled ere he opened his lips.
Then his arm was appraised. silence
chained the vast hall; and the thousands
hearkened 10 such a speech as few of them
had ever heard. AS the minutes sped nv the
words came from his lips, without hesita-
ton, but with many a dramatic pause
They poured out, not as a torrent: but
now as a silvery stream. now as q strong.
running river. now in the rumbling organ
notes or a mighty cataract, each one dis
tinct, measured, resonant, musical; modu-
lated to the feeling OF the speaker. KEYED
to a pitch of intensity, TO pathos. or sar-
casm, to recollection of noble deeds and
declarations. to acts of mercy and prom
Uses of achievement as splendid and insnir-
ing as any. His utterances were polished.
bitter and enthusiastic. They stlng with
their vindictive lashing; they burned with
the ardOr OF a cause. And Grant, Grant,
Grant was the name which he linked al.
ways with his exordiums, appeaIs cono
mands. Blaine was the target of his at
tacks, open and covert. 1t was Grant;s
name with which he conjured. but n vra
the tide of his own eloquence which hora
him along and carried his listeners win
him amid the scenes he pictured. into fields
of strenuous life and glorious deeds. until
enthusiasm burst all bonds. Again and
again they rose, and drowned his voice in q
roar of cries and beating feet and hands
and made him wait.
When he had finished-quivering. glow
ing, masterful, his eagle eyes flashing in
exultation-the thousands were on their
feet, and made the building shake with a
storm of applause. a sea of flags. andkar~
chiefs, fans. hats beat the air. To the ear
and eye il seemed as IL nowhere I'm All that
vast hall there remained a tongue that yss
silent. an arm that was not appraised in
celebration of the magnificence of these ut
t~erances.