The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-04-11
ON ORATORY.
Theme Discussed by Veteran
Citizens To Secure Charter.

The regular meeting of the Veteran Citi-
zens' Historical association was held yes
terday afternoon In the auditorium OF the
Mathewson street NJ. II. church. After
the reading OF the records by the secre-
tary President Daniel A. Cook stated that
on account OF the illness OF the speaker
the committee had requested him TO speak
on this occasion. In consenting Mr.. Copk
said that his subject would be American
Orators and Oratory."
Mr.. Cook spoke without notes and gave
very able and also eloquent description
OF several of the most noted Of American
orators with recitation OF extracts from
their most brilliant speeches and orations
In opening he alluded TO the great change
from the earlier periods OF American his
tory. when i'm Virginia, as well as else
where. every politician seemed to be look
ing forward to be president and the "sine
qua nom and crowning ambition was TO
achieve fame, influence and distinction as
"A great orator on the forum and I'm the
state and national halls OF legislation.
This sentiment and tendency, no doubt,
received much encouragement I'm the al
most universal celebration OF the Fourth
OF July In the great agitations for national
independence and In the many heated
anti-savery discussions throughout the
land, all OF which were no doubt OF ines
timable value and benefit to the American
nation. high eulogism was paid 10
Daniel Webster, the defender OF the con-
stitution. as One OF the greatest and
grandest orators the world has produced.
The eloquence wit and classic oratory OF
Wendell Phillips. Theodore Parker and
William Is. Garrison were portrayed at
length, with a history OF their wonderful
career. and with two recitations from the
orations of Mr.. Phillips.
Eulogistic mention was also made Of the
eloquence OF James G. Blaine and reel
tation OF his eloquent speech at Music
hall. when introduced by the lamented
Senator Anthony. was given. In closing
he spoke OF the young. gifted and eloquent
speaker of the Rhode Island house OF
representatives. who gave up his life 1T
Bull Run sullivan Ballou. He recited the
letter written to Mrs. Ballou and his two
writer. few hours before his death,
letter certainly the most tender and beau
uful as ever 0as conceived or placed in
any written language. The letter closes.
II hope TO meet you I'm heaven; meet me
there. and bring thither my children
AT the close OF the address the president
introduced Hon. Amass NJ. Eaton. who
offered the form of a charter 10 the legis-
lature 10 hold property not exceeding
tions. burial places and the preservation
places and moved that committee of
three beapppointsed by thepresident. which
an invitation for discussion and called
upon Rev. DR.. j. q. Vose.
DIR. Vose responded at length, and said
he had listened with great pleasure to
the address OF President Cook. IL was
especially interesting because OF his ac-
auaintance and having been schoomate
OF Maj. Ballou. Great results had fol-
lowed their labors and time alone can
fully record their inestimable patriotic
value
Hon. Mr. Easton was much gratified with
n
cases, perhaps, there was aot so much
oratory as in former t;mes. when the
giants I'm the legal world pleaded I'm the
Rhode Island courts, 1t was now very
much a question of dry logic facts and
figures.
Mr.. William Henry spoke of his long
Daniel Webster, OF his magnificent pres
ence-how men and boys were wont to
gaze with wonder at his unapproachabie
mien. address and bearing and gave sew
eral anecdotes of his acquaintance i'm
Marshtield, the home of the great orator
Mr.. J.; II. Brown spoke of his having
heard Clay. Webster. Calhoun, Tom Ben
ton. Sam Houston and South Carolina
Butler I'm the old senate chamber of hav-
ing heard Glen. Baker. the greatest orator
OF California, and the orator at United
States Senator Brodericks funeral i'm San
Francisco. OF his bidding goodbye and
shaking hands with Mai sullivan Ballou
at Long Bridge. Va. before the battle, Of
the eloauence of Hon. Thomas A. Jenckes
I'm the house of representatives. the father
of the civil service reform, of the Bold
Eagle. Tristan Burgess the greatest
orator of Rhode Island who silenced the
great South Carolinian. and was offered
an apology by him for his abuse of Rhode
Island by that great speaker com
mencing, 'Inousque abutere nostra pa
tientia, O Catilina, Carthage delenda."
and of having heard him in an eloquent
speech before an immense audience I'm the
Log Cabin Hard Cider campaign OF Tip
picanoe and Tyler. too.
MIR. Gallagher spoke ~ length OF The
Fourth of July oratory of the FORMER
times. lie spoke Of tbs eloquent oratinn
OF Hon. Thomas Davis at a Fourth of july
Cclebra tion at Pawtucket lie was VERY
much impress Il by that speech and be-
came an advocate Of anti-slsvery prin-
Ciplcs.
memorial resolution I'm memory or
Mr.. ]. &. Appleton was passed and Miss /
Mary \. Appleton made remarks. testify |
ing TO the great regard and pleasure lie
enjoyed I'm coming 90 the meetings OF the
veterans. Resolutions OF thanks for do-
nations OF books through Mrs. Chaffee /
from Union for Christian Work society
and from George ". Murdock were passed
4 bouquet OF flowers from the treasurer |
was presented 10 Miss Appleton. George |
r. Murdock was elected an honorary |
member \ vote OF thanks was pa ssed To !
the speaker. after which tho association |
adjourned