The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-07-07

Flituehsu 10 every NOEu tnat Iell from ths
lips OF Silyertons contribution to art.
the most famous cartoonist OF thu
world, Homer Davenport. There was no,
an empty seat in the house, and all Of
Astoria's best people were there. II
doesn't happen very often that the en-
tire best set turns out, so, although
Davenport may not have perceived it
the circumstance was a tribute to hin
such as never before had been paid to
any other person who sought to enter.
tain an audience in this community
Hon. John II. Smith introduced Daven.
port to his audience, and the affair
took on an informal aspect that made
it all the more enjoyable.
They say that Judge A. s. Bennett
Of The Dalles, Oregon, is the greatest
jury lawyer on the coast, and one Of the
greatest in the United States. That's
why he defended Senator Mitchell. When
Judge Bennett speaks his voice engulfs
you. II is a great, large voice, plain.
tive and sincere, and everything he says
goes straight to your heart and impress.
es you. His rhetoric is not perfect and
many of his expressions are of the
homely sort--not that the Judge does't
/ know better, but because he knows how
to touch your heartstrings.
Davenport's voice is not so big as Ben.
nett's, but it is very much the same.
II puts you right up against the speak.
er and makes you like him and want
him to like you. After he has talked
with you, or at you, for few moments
you seem to feel that you have known
him ever 80 long and unconsciously you
turn to the man beside you and urge
him to listen carefully TO everything
that's said-for, of course, you've known
Davenport for long time and know
just exactly what he's going to say and
how he will say it!
Thus, Davenport gets hold on you
that you're anxious for him to retain
He "hyps" you with his gentleness and
delights you with his unmistakable
humor. He makes you feel at home
and the entire absence of loftiness-that
restraint which unfortunately character
ICES too many renowned men-stamps
him your particular friend. It's just as
easy to know him as to roll off the pro-
verbal log
Davenport calls his entertainment a
lecture, but 1t isn't. It's only a con.
fidential little talk. 1t is couched in
very attractive English, but it lacks the
oratorical flights" about which you
read in the papers. He doesn't shout
nor does he whisper; he strikes mod.
eately low tone and sticks to it. His
stories are well selected and invariably
concern public men and public events
with which everyone is familiar.
However paradoxical it may appear,
there is sort of humor pathOs to many
of Davenport's stories. Last night he
told Dewey story that proved to be a
peculiar combination of humor and pa.
thos. The narrative is of interest for
historical and patriotic reasons and may
here be retold with propriety. When
Dewey was retired the American people
presented him with a cottage at Wash.
ngton, and the admiral decided the home
70 his wife. Just what was wrong with
his no one seemed ever to be able to de.
initely state, but just the same a great
many persons felt in duty bound to
write to Dewey expressing their bitter
lisspproval Of his action. Indeed, so
oppressive did this letter.writing become
hat the Admiral and Mrs. Dewey de-
ermined to leave America and go to
southern France, there to reside.
One day Davenport drew a picture
or the paper with which he was con.
lected. 1t was entitled "Lest We For
'et" and was illustrative of Dewey's
service to his country and
he scant appreciation which some un-
'atfiotic ones had shown. It included
Jncle Sam in a laudatOry pose-not
he Uncle Sam who had been writing
he letters, but the Uncle Sam who loved
)ewey for his good citizenship and was
rateful to him for his valor in time of
gar. Davenport had occasion to visit
a short time after the cor
Don appeared, and he was invited to
all at the famous house. In the parlor
Q found his cartoon, clipped from a