Evening journal., 1911-06-30
new NEWS OF YESTERDAY
William M. EvartS and the
Potter Family
By "HoIIand"

William n. Evarts gained interna-
tional fame as an orator His speech as
the leading Counsel in the defense Of
President Johnson in the impeach-
ment proceedings before the Senate isl
one OF the finest examples of American
professional oratory. His speech before
the Geneva tribunal, organized to arbi-
trate the so-called Alabama claims, is
regarded as a masterpiece; and il won
the case. AS Secretary of State Mr..
Evarts added to his other great achie-
vements by very successful diplomacy.
In the Senate he was, until illness in
capacitated him. numbered among the
leaders. But IN addition, Mr.. Eyarts
gained the highest reputation as
wit ever secured by an American. That
reputation was enhanced by the fact
that there never was any malice in his
wit. although he was prone sometimes
to exercise 1t at the expense Of friends
who enjoyed his closest intimacy. One
of the most intimate of Mr. Evarts
personal friends was the late Bishop
Henry c. Potter Of New York. AS
Bishop Potter himself was a very witty
man. there always was an exchange
Of wit between these two when they
met, Mr. Evarts sometimes gently
chiding the bishop on the eminent re-
spectability of his various flocks.
About 1885, when Mr.. Evarts was
elected a member Of the United States
Senate, he entertained a number of
his friends at his country place at
Windsor, Vermont. during a week end.
One evening, after dinner, as Senator
Eyarts was chatting over the coffee
with his guests, one of them said to
him.
Senator, you are of course ac-
quainted with Bishop Potter?"
The Senator hesitated and an ex-
preston of doubt came over his
countenance as though the name SEEM
ed familiar to him and yet he could
not identify II with any of his ac-
quaintances. At last he said, hesitate
ingly, enunciating each syllable, each
word almost as though II stood alone
"Potter-Bishop Potter-no. / don't
seem to recall the gentleman"
But you must know him." persist
| ed the guest HE is the Protestant
| Episcopal Bishop of New York"
Again Senator Evarts hesitated, ap-
! parently trying to recall whether he
had ever met the Protestant Episcopal
Bishop of New York At last his face
cleared
"Oh. yes" he said-and his manner
of speech was that of a minute or two
before-"you mean Henry Potter. the
apostle to the genteels. Yes, | am ac
quainted with him -
On another occasion, when BishoI
Potter was entertaining at dinner ;
considerable number of distinguished
Americans and member of Parlia
ment whose surname. like his own
was Potter, Senator Evarts was calleS
upon to make a speech. There have
been various versions of that speech
but I believe the one here given TO b'
the correct one.
With an assumed solemnity Of man
ner. which always prepared dime
guests who knew his ways for an un
usual outburst Of wit the Senator be
gan by saying that as he found him
self sitting at table In companiOnshil
with Potter who WAS a bishop, a Pot
tar svh-, .."as member df naI1iamen
a Potter who was a great lawyer an
had been a member Of Congress an
chairman of the presidential electio
investigating committee in 1877, and
| IJilfI WHO" ID Elfdi dfiHiltift ni
Evarts. was reminded of an anecdot
which he had heard when he was tax
ing one Of his brief excursions fror
his summer home in Vermont into III
delightfully."- rural villages of tha
State And this was the way Senate
Evarts told the 3necdote.
There came among the people {
one of the larger communities of Vel
mont a young clergyman, who was
be the pastor Of the largest church /
that community He was a modes
young man and of little experience
the world. He perceived that anon
his parishioners were men and wome
Of great intelligence and high cultivi
ton He, therefore, desired TO prepai
his first sermon in such manner q
would be acceptable to the people. 81
when he began the sermon he we
very much agitated by embarrassment
and diffdence; and he said. by way
preliminary prayer, o. Lord, in tn
presence we now acknowledge TIL
Thou art the clay and we are the po
ters." "And. continued Senator Evar
when the laughter had subsided 60 tn
he could be heard. II am now Statistic
that these are the Potters to who
that embarrassed clergyman refe
red j"
Copyright. 1911, by f. J Edwards. A
rights reserved.)
Tomorrow Mr.. Edwards viii tell
~ I..II