The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-09

His is not a personality to be summed
up in breath. His is not a character to
be measured at close quarters. That he
was one of the most picturesque and in
teresting figures of the generation is
true, but this not enough to say. He
was all that, yet he was more. Super
ficially regarded, he seemed a great de-
batter; a parliamentary leader of rare
shrewdness and wonderful resources; a
presiding officer of singular ability, and,
above all, a man of indomitable courage
and sclf-reliance. Socially he was pos
sessed of many and peculiar charms His
manner to women was always respect
fully gracious. 1t was not veneer. 1t
was the unconscious but eloquent ex-
preston of a deep-seated sentiment.
Among men he could be witty hu1nor-
GUS, caustic, kindly affectionate at will.
In the cloak-room, at the festal board,
in places where men are wont to congre-
gate, he made himself a source of pure
delight or cause of apprehension and
uneasiness, according to his mood. TO
laugh with him was joy. To be laugh
ed at by him was another matter. NO
one courted that experience second
time. In our opinion, however, referring
to him in his public and official capacity,
Mr.. Reed was greater as the leader of his
party on the floor than he subsequently
was as Speaker of the House. and this
is especially true of him when the Re-
publcans were in a minority. He always
seemed to grow with the obstacles that
confronted him and the difficulties that
beset his path. 1t is true that, as
Speaker, he performed an herculean task
in remodeiing the parliamentary machin-
cry and rescuing it from the paralysis
Of obstruction. His political opponents
paid him the most eloquent of all trib-
utes-that of imitation. Other men, how
ever, could have done the same thing,
for others have actually done it since.
In this respect, the late Samuel j. Ran
dali might have exhibited at least an
equal power had he wished to, or had
the conditions pressed him to that ex-
pedient. But have we had in Congress,
during the past forty years-to go no
further back-a man who could state his
proposition quite as lucidly, as clearly,
as graphically, and then sustain it with
such Overwhelming argument? Revert
ing to the session of 1884 -S5, for example,
when Mr.. Reed, whether by deliberate
appointment or by the logic of fact and
circumstance, dominated the Republican
equation in the House, we recall a pic
ture of such splendid boldness and ad-
dress, display of such magnificent and
fearless potency, it seems to US that
nothing quite as fine is to be seen in the
whole panorama of our legislation. He
was never eloquent, in the sophomore
acceptation of the term. He INDUCED
in no flowery rhetoric or melodious
phraseolcgy He scorned the roulades
and arpheggios of oratory. But in his
slow, drawing, incisive fashion he brush
ed away, as one would brush so much
filigree and gossamer, the cheap subtle
ties and specious mists that cnveloped
and proposition he had occasion to dis
cuss, until it lay bare, unlovely, pitiful
to the common gaze. In this arena he
was superb-a very prince of gladiatore.
No fallacy ever escaped his whitening
exposure. No deceit Or humbug could
evade his thrust. Whether he created;
whether he originated; whether he ever
successfully conducted an important
propaganda or has left vivid impress
upon our national evolution-these are
questions we do not undertake to answer
at this time. But that he loved his coun-
try, its dignity and honor; that he was
a pure minded patriot who never soiled
his hands with any. sordid or ignoble
stan-all this we know, and for this we
honor and revere his memory"
One who was thrown with him, and
knew him, says in the Washington Post:
'All admired him. Few liked him.
81 knew no better way of expressing
the attitude of the members of Congress
toward the late ex-Speaker Reed" re-
marked Hon. Charles l.. Henry. former
member of Congress from Indiana. last
night at the Ebbitt House. He had
few friends Most of the members We're
afraid of his sharp tongue. 1t was diff
ficult to become intimately acquainted
with him. He did not seem 20 care 10
have intimate friends Few men who
were associated with him seemed to Make
any effort to win his friendship.
''His sarcasm undoubtedly prevented
him from becoming as great a power as
he might have been with his remarkable
anility. Any man who has had an oppor-
tunity to hear Mr.. Reed speak, and who
watched his work as a presiding officer,
must admit his superiority. He COM
PEELED admiration, but seemed to lack
the qualities which win friends. If he
had done more to cultivate the good will
of the men with whom he was thrown,
7 believe he would have attained even
higher place among the statesmen OF his
time