The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-03-17

Ex-Gov C p. Johnson, of Nilsson a,
Hart Benton

Ex-Governor Charles H.. John
Missouri, an n Iaper read al fH.
meeting of the Missouri Fges
ton At Columbia. talked a.ue,
ingiy OF Thomas Hart Bent4r
styled the most prominent a.
character of the State. in I'll.
his address. he said.
At the close OF his Ia,
campaign for Governor. / batrl
liver his last speech III Nilsson.
the closing event OF ms r..D.-.
Ntical career. The place VAS 81.
street. not FAR from where
city hall in ST. Louis. Ihar.
immense crowd. ana he received
occasion respectful attention t.-
an address OF over two hour T..
pearance and manners there v..
parent apprehension Of II" overs
ing defeat lie was 10 receive. v..
proud. naughty and dofigut leas.n.
manifest in his every Wo9l and.
us personality was made as .,..
as ever. his tail. rohus; 0ul l.a.
figure towering above all III ..
as illustrative OF strvugt and p.a...
tie fact that he had travelled u,e.
miles. met With a ~coutinuo4s u..
lICln l4c people ana mace ~ .##.
His style on the platform vas utt.. #.
ferent from that in the senate. -
slightly more condcscera'uE I'D tua.
Vas always senatorial. He -tan....
during the greater time in one place,
Casionally advancing n ste. t|0rg.r.
turning and doing the Same in a sill. ..
~Icction. There was little variety In
poses. He held his head ani body .r...
the head occasionally thrown back. while.
Increased the portlincss and dignity
his appearance. When inclnIng rorus.
he did SO slowly and maJesticall. Dill.
principal gesturing was dome with i.
right ham and arm. his LET rarely
f&ised higher than his head. H iuluLe..
i'll no appeals to the kinllioc cLot....
and was never rhetorical. H. re}aa.I
attention by the clear mamie in Wl...
he pronounced propositions, and tI.
strong and earnest arguments with Hh#g
he sustained them. An intelligent listen
er was impressed with the idea taat l.
was being taught something NV. II.
was always historical in Illustration. Il
department. OF knowledge IN which ha
was we'll yersed. TO the majority Of
bearers he was most attractive ass au
orator when indulging = sarcasm, luy,o-
tive and denunciation. During H.t1
times he became excited, raised, pointed
and shook the forefingcr or his clIuea.I
fist, and in a climax brought If down
with emphasis.
"All the characteristics have noted
were manifest in the speech to which /
listened. His invective was as strong
and vigorous as it ever was. and ly
seemed 20 relish the indulgence. | was
reminded Of the time when he asked a
friend, just after his speech in the senate
on the omnibus territorial bill, if be
diGn't give Clay hell He took especial
pleasure in cxcoriating two Of his we'll
Known prominent opponents for their at
titude oward him. He though, they
were beyond the pale of salvation. When
80 aroused his enunciation became clear
er; be emphasized each word as if throw
ing them out separately as Wen as con-
junctively.
after the meeting / was in his room
with Mr.. Blair and several others. ] r.-
member how inpatient he was TO have Il
correct report OF his speech in the Mis-
souri, Democrat of the next day. IT Wa7
his custom always to require thar Il
proof be sent to him-he read and coy
rectcd it himself. His mauuecrip Sho"
ed q small and cramped hand, but a
printer would call it legiLle. White
there he talked about his campaign. sail
he would be elected; that ~ pcolI.
were enthusiastically In his favor. And
he referred with a ~contemptuous smiI.
to those parts of his address in whl.3
he demolished his local enemies.
"Tha was the last time / saw Mr. Bon
ten. Not quite two years after this
on the steps of Christ church. ..
the corner of Fifth and Chestnut streets.
in the city Of st. Louis. and saw %
hearse drawn by six black horses de,k.I
with sable plumcs, aLG within was il
casket containing the remains Of Mis-
scuri's illustrious statesman. Thousands
or people looked upon the scene with q
feeling of awe and reverence. Iha
and habilaments of mourulas
we're on all sides. But there was OBJ"
thing in the pageant that struck Eln as
strange and remarkable. There were
men on horseback in front. at t.e
sides and in the rear of the heaTsc. APP
p~arently among the chief mcurncra. waH
| knew to be the most implacablc AMI
yindictiye foes of Mr.. Benton when live
ing. | thought it remarkable. J "t
quite young then, and did not uga'"
stand. | am old now, and can o"e.au.t