The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-13
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and other countries. It was creditable to
him that In the midst Of his busy public
life," al ways under great social strain
and required by his official duties to be
an almost lnceasant traveller, he still had
time and heart to be O bookmaker, and
his celebrity as an author Is part OF the
inheritance which he transmits to pos
terity.
AS AN ORATOR.
DR.. Curry was an orator. In saying
this I am aware that cannot prove It
by examining him under the ordinary
rules of rhetoric, nor by comparing him
with some Of the most famous speakers
of this country. His oratory was UNIQUE.
he had no models and no subduing regu-
lations He was always thinking and
oftentimes studying. and when theme
took possession of him 1t had the power
Of evol1ing all the forces and fires OF his
wonderful personality There were times
when his friends charged him with excess
of action and Of exaggeration In utter.
ance. and do not say that the criticisms
we're undeserved. do say that the crlu-
csms demanded OF him restraints and
composure which. under the very neces-
him to give. It was his subject which
spoke rather than himself. 1t carried him
forward in spite of himself. but 1t car
ried his audience ALSO and little cared
the people II there was strain OF his
voice, or a violent gesture, or an ebuill-
ton Of passion which was excessive. The
world loves oratory at white heat. and
Is ever ready to bring its plaudits to the
man who Is so enthralled by his theme.
III al t. Hanrs-
travagance to say that some OF the adj
dresses made by DR.. Curry, both on the
Chris tian platform and before political
and literary assemblies. were well-nigh
uncomfortable In the moments Of his
finest elevation he lifted the people from
theirS seats and made them laugh and
cry and shout and hug each other with
a raptuous intoxicDtion which no words
could describe. But for extending this
article beyond proper limits, examples Of
his thrilling and overmastering eloQuence
might be easily multiplied.
But have sometimes thought that
after all some Of the most charming
specimens OF eloquence that ever flowed
from the lips of DR.. Curry were unpre-
meditated and largely born Of the occa-
sion. It was well-nigh impossible for DR..
Curry to appear In any large assembly
without being forcibly taken to the plat
form. The p .ople claimed him as their
own and meant no disrespect when they
stubbornly refused to receive any denial
at his hands, and what was more, he
was generally lifted before the public
on these occasions without warning and
with a distinct view OF speaking on the
topic then under consideration. It was
one OF his great arts that he could take
refuge in aggression, during which he
could speedily equip himself for handling
the subject thrust suddenly upon him.
and besides, he had extraordinary facility
in commanding his resources. He was
like a general who had his forces so fully
In command that when he decided to
make a stand he could signal for REIN
forcements without delay,
READY TO WORSHIP HIM.
It often happened, therefore, that DR..
Curry, while dreading these surprises.
often gave his greatest surprises to tho
people In addresses SO chaste, so fitting,
so thrilling. and so helpful that the peo-
pie we're almost ready to worship him.
All! what power the orator hasl A
gift Of his own. forever denied to all
whom nature denies, In that mastery d
speech DR.. Curry was almost pre- sentiment
| In this hasty sketch of my illustriou:
| friend I cannot fall to recolleot the pho
nomenal political campaign which he
| maze az CTltlCal pct1Ou w t1'o pNilIiCd4
| history of Virginia 1t was at a time
when, In HIS Judgment. men for purposes
OF their own were seeking to lower the
standard OF Virglnia's honor and to stair
| her garments with scandal and shame
At that memorable point In tho lite o.
tho Old Dominion DR.. Curry took tn,
field as the apostle of political honor ant
civic righteousness, He had long bser
silent as political leader but his bril-
liant career In the United States Con,
gross when he was quite young and wher
Horace Greeley said OF him that he had
more brains than the entire Alabama
delegation In Congress. In his noble
leadership and loyalty In the leg1sla
tive councils OF the Confederacy. ant
then In his public career In Virginia aftei
the war as champion OF education ans
as n burning advocate OF the Gospel o.
the Son OF God. had combined to entrenot
him In the affections and admiration o.
the Virginia people. When II was know,
that this peerless gentleman. this dis
tinguished teacher and this man. wht
/ had been heard all over the State II
pleading for the religious elevation o
mankind was going to take the ntump
the news went like wildhre over tn,
| State OF Virginia. Go where he would
the crowds poured out In great numbers
and his lofty tone. his rare sense o
honor his terrific nrraignment OF poll
| tcal trickery. his plea forsthe good nam,
| of Virginia, his cry for the right. heart
In almost every city and county seat Il
the State. awakened the greatest enthu
siasn, i heard one Of these addresses
IT was on q perfect summer day, In on,