Idaho Springs siftings., 1904-09-24

On the evening Of Sept Z. 1904. the
land was at peace, and no auguries Of
dread possessed it. Vermont had said
its say, in unmeaning manner, and
all was calm in city and country, while
In New York was gathering band. just
a few faithful editors Of Democrats
antecedents to talk over the political sit
uation, and incidentally deyour 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
lucky. 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" II is way he has. And then
he says things.
Time rolled on. The rich New York
viands, prepared for the unaccustonfed
palates of the visiting editors, the 6ery
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 excitahis
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. chlvalrous
American gentleman was afraid of an
other brave, loyal, chivnirous American
gentleman-the President Of the United
States, Theodore Roosevelt. 'F'
There was rant about raising ths
black fag." "scuttlmg the ship of civil
service" "and cutting the throat Of re-
oiprocity" which made Watterson's hear
ers turn pale. though they knew no more
than did the speaker 10 what these trucs-
lent words referred.
The trembling editors listened. appalt
ed watterson lowered his voice and
muttered forth charges Of ruth and ruia
against Roosevelt past. Roosevelt pres
ent. 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 sv-
erlastlng President In the person of Tue
odore Roosevelt. IL the Republicans con-
iinue in power Watterson's auditors
thought ofCarter II. Harrison | and Car
ter H. Harrison H.. perennial and ever
blooming Mayors Of Chicago. but, a.
these examples OF political longevity ba-
long to the Democratic party, IL calmed
the nerves of the wroughf-up banquet
ers. and they were able TO brace MP and
listen to the impassioned gentleman from
Kentucky.
The food Of oratory went on and on.
aud when it was over the editors felt re-
Iieyed, because no seizure of q fatal
character had made fitting climax to the
ufterances of the choleric speaker, whose
eloquence has been whetfed for yesra.
upon the obtrusive angles of his own
party.
And then the telegraphie wires bore.
a. upon the wings VI the wind. the
words OF Wattcrs0n. 10 be printed In the
morning papers that there could he read.
by the toiling millions. the fatal words
of objursation. adiuration and divina-
ton.
The public read the burning words
of watterspn with that fatal apathy
which greets the efforts Of those who. 10
the first place, talk too much, and In the
second place, habitualiy overshoot the
mark. There was a good-nntured laugh,
perhaps, as some ytaiwart Americas
glanced over the scare heads" Of the
morning papers, and one or another OF
the great army OF freemcn said to his
neirhbors, as he looked mp from the
warnings, denunciations and predictions
of the hysterical orator OF Louisville.
"watterson's broke loose again"
And that was all.