Milford chronicle., 1904-09-23

NN pA bAAN1AHs
On the evening OF Sept. Z. 1904 the
land was at peace, aud no auguries OF
dread possessed il. Vermont had said
its say. in no unmeauing manner. and
all was calm in city and country. while
in New York was gathering a band. just
a few faithful editors Of Democratic
antecedents. to talk over the political sit
uatou, and incidentally devOur that
square meal which, when eaten in public
and accompanied by speeches, is called
banquet.
Among the chivalry which gathered
there was Henry Watterson of Ken
tucky. The moment he was seen at the
festive board those editors and specta-
tors who are accustomed TO observe the
usual progress Of events knew that some
thing was going TO happen. They d.
vined that Henry had been seeing
things" It is a way he has. Aud then
lie says things
Time rolled on. The rich New York
,iands. prepared for the unaceustomed
palates Of the visiting editors, the fiery
cocktails the generous wines, the nips OF
strong waters. all these had met the
fate prepared for them. And then came
Watterson, as chief speaker OF the even
ing.
Watterson is at times an excitable
man. This was one of the times. He
was not only excited, he was painfully,
morbidly, scared. And Of all things in
the world. this brave. loyal. chiyalrous
American gentleman was afraid Of an
other brave loyal. chivalrous American
gentleman-the President of the United
States, Theodore Roosevelt
There was rant about raising the
black flag" 'scuttling the ship of civil
service" and cutting the throat Of re-
Gprocity" which made Watterson's hear
ers turn pale. though they knew no more
than did the speaker to what these trucu-
lent words referred.
The trembling editors listened. appall-
cd Wat,erson lowered his voice and
ruttered forth charges of ruth and ruin
against Roosevelt past. Roosevelt pres
eut. Roosevelt future. Again he paved
the earth. shook his fists aloft and bel
lowed his predictions Of an everlasting
candidate for the presidency. and an ev-
erlasting President in the person Of The
odore Roosevelt. if the Republicans con-
time in power Watterson's auditors
ter H. Harrison H., perennial and ever
blooming Mayors OF Chicago. but as
these examples of political longevity be-
long to the Democratic party, it calmed
the nerves of the wrought-up banquet
ers. and they were able to brace up and
listen to the impassioned gentleman from
Kentucky.
The flood of oratory went on and on,
and when il was over the editors felt re-
lieved because no seizure of fa.ai
character had made fitting climax 81 the
utierances Of the choleric speaker, whose
eloquence has been whettel for years,
upua the obtrnsive angles OF his own
party.
Ana then the telegraphic wires bore,
as upon the wings of the win !. the
words of Wattersol. TO be printed n the
morning papers that there could be read.
10y the toiliug millions the fatal words
OF obiurgation. adjuration and divina-
ton.
The public read the burning words
of Watterson with that fatal apathy
which greets the efforts Of those who. in
the first place, talk too much, and in the
second place. habitudl!y overshoot the
mark. There was good-natured laugh
perhaps. as some stalwart American
glanced over. the 'scare heads OF the
morning papers, and one or anoi1er Of
the great army of freemen sal 10 his
neighbors. as he looked mp from the
warnings. denunciations aud predictions
Of the hysterical orator Of Louisville,
"Watterson's broke loose again.,
And that was all.