The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-04-03
A HIGH ESTIMATE OF TILLMAN.
4 Good Man to Have in the Senate.
What Prof. DOwd Says.

written for Charlotte Observer.)
University of Wisconsin, Madison,
Wis, March Ex-senator Tiilman
spoke here Thursday night on the ne
gro problem. The weather was bad be-
ing cold and rainy. walked in the audi
torium a little late, expecting to find
not more than 100 people present.
Much to my surprise 1 saw an audi
ence of 1880 people, each member Of
which had paid so cents for admission.
There is something remarkable about
this fact. Was this large audience due
to the deep interest felt in the negro
problem? If so, is it not remarkable
that Wisconsin people should wish to
hear a. man on that subject VINO is
known to represent views the most OPP
posite from those now held or former
ly held by the majority of the people,.
Did these people come out to IA
simply because he is sensational. a
man with a pitchfork. a sort of wild
man from Borneo? After hearing the
speech I answered this question in the
negative. I saw Senator Tillman in a
new light. A few years 6 ] heard
him in a South Carolina, campaign.
The subjects discussed were local and
personal and I came away ~unfavora-
bly, impressed. His speech here show
ed me that he had developed p good
deal since that time. His style was
better, his language better and his
grasp of ideas and his store of infor-
nation respecting history and litera-
ture, were more those Of the scholar
and statesman.
There is no discount1ng the fact that
Senator Tillman is a man of eXtraor-
binary power. The demagogue who
rides into office upon popular cur
rent may attract attention for awhile.
but he 500 collapses as he has moth
ing Solid to rest upon. Senator Till
man has been to the front too long to
be claSSed as n demagOgue. He Is an
honest man, an earnest man, q cour-
ageous man and fundamentally actu-
ated by he highest feelings and senti-
ments. When he told this audience
that all of the political honors that
could be heaped upon him were as
nothing compared to his love for home
and family he was loudly applauded.
The people believed what he said. In
this particular he is a genuine repre-
sentative of the best that there is in
the southern men. However people
may a V differed from his reasoning.
and felt themselves opposing his IDEAS.
they could not but realize that there
was In the restless figure pacing up
and down the platform, a type of man
too rare not to be admired. He sue.
gests something of the rugged charac-
teristicS of Andrew Jackson. and in
n sense he represents the best that
there is or ever has been in southern
craftsmanship. He has profound con-
victions, an overwhelming passion for
the cause which he espouses, a frank
ness and an aggressiveness, together
with the ability to hit the mark that he
aims at which are indispensable re-
quisites of effective oratory. Attach
ment for some great cause and deep
sincerity of purpose count for more
than erudition, rhetoric or grace of
style. First of all. the orator Or writer
must AVE some irresistible devotion to
a principle before he can hope to win
and retain the ear of the public. In
the case of Tillman his passion is for
democracy, in the sense of maintain
ing the rights and manhood of the in
dividual as against any political OF
economic or social domination. All
of his feelings side with the common
atty and oppose any power which may
take an unfair advantage of the people
OF course he cannot appeal to people
Of opposite sentiments, although such
people open their carr to him an J
dread him. 1t is his intense personal.
ity and his burning love for democra-
cy which explain the secret of his
power in South Carolina n explain
why 1900 people in this city pay $500
to hear him speak.
l differ in many respects from his
political views and doubt the discre.
ton Of many of his utterances, but
fundamentally, especially as regards
his general sentiments, 1 believe that
he is n of the best types of men and
| that III iS Fortunate for tho o11rtr thoI
such a man has a seat in the United
States senate. His errors of judgments
and his lack of Liberal education. mill
tate against him and prevent him from
taking the highest rank.
JEROME DOWD