The Springfield herald., 1904-09-23

On the evening Of Sept Z, 1904. the
land was at peace. and no augurles Of
dread possessed it. Vermont had said
Its say, in no unmenning manner, and
all was calm in city and country. while
In New York was gathering band. just
q few faithful editors of Democratic
antecedents, to talk over the political sit
uation, 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 di-
vined that Henry had been seeing
things" 1t is a way he has. And then
he says things.
Time rolled on. The rich New York
viands, prepared for the unnccustomed
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
Wntterson, 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. chivalrous
American gentleman was afraid OF an
other brave. loyal, chivnlrous American
gentleman-the President of the United
States. Theodore Roosevelt.
There was rant about raising tho
black flag" "scuttling the ship of civil
.ory;oo sand a.cutfinv the thrOat of re-
ciprocity" which made Watterson's henr-
ers turn pale, though they knew no mora
than did the speaker to what these trucu-
lent words referred.
The trembling editors listened. appal!-
cd. Watterson lowered his voice and
muttered forth charges of ruth and ruin
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 ev-
erlasting President in the person of The
odore Roosevelt, il the Republicans con-
tinue in power. Wattersons auditors
Thought of Carter II. Harrison I. and Car
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 Gained
tne nerves OIL lHe
ers, and they were able to brace up and
listen to the mpassioned gentleman from
Kentucky.
The flood of oratory went on and on.
and when it was over the editors felt re-
lieved, because no seizure of fatal
character had made fitting climax to the
utterances OF the choleric speaker. whose
eloquence has been whetted for years,
upon the obtrusive angles Of his own
party.
And then the .elegraphic wires bore.
as upon the wings of the wind, the
words of Watterson, to be printed in the
morning papers that there could be read.
by the toiling millions, the fatal words
OF objurgation, ndjurntion and divina-
ton.
The public read the burning words
of Watterson with that fatal apathy
which greeis the efforts of those who, in
the first place, talk too much, and in the
second place, habitually overshoot the
mark. There was n good-natured laugh.
perhaps, as some stalwart American
glanced over the scare heads" Of the
morning papers, and one or another Of
the great army OF frcemen said to his
neighbors, as he looked up from the
warnings, denunciations and predictions
of the hysterical orator of Louisville,
"Watterson's broke loose again"
And that was all.