Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-01-10
new NEWS OF YESTERDAY
Fine Demonstration of the Power
of the Orator.
How Senator Frye Once Arrested an
Audience That Was Breaking
Up and Held 1t EnthralIed
by His Eloquence.
BY E. ]. EDWARDS.

No finer demonstration OF the power
Of a real orator, both to get the ear OF
an audience and, having done that. to
hold the audience as long as he
chooses as if in the hollow of his
hand. was ever made in New York
city-at least since Civil war days
than that which occurred at the
climax of the Republican party's cam,
paign in the metropolis in 1900.
The climax of the campaign, so far
as the Republicans were concerned,
was the great mass meeting held in
Madison Square Garden. The simple
announcement that Theodore Roose-
welt, governor of New York state and
the Republican candidate for vice
president, would speak at the meeting
was sufficient of itself to pack the
vast auditorium of the Garden to its
capacity. 1t was estimated that at
least $4,000 persons were in the audi.
torium when Governor Roosevelt be-
gan to speak.
After the hero of San Juan Hill had
finished his speech and taken his seat
amid great cheering, there arose at
once from all parts of the Garden the
familiar sounds of many persons leav-
ing the hall Indeed in great masses
the people began 20 rise from their
seats and head for the exits. IT was
painfully apparent that almost all OF
those who had been attracted 10 the
meeting had come out of curiosity to
see and hear the Republican party's
candidate for vice-president. 1t had
been announced that William p. Frye.
United States senator from Maine.'
would also address the meeting-that
he had been especially invited by the
Republican county committee to come
on from his home in Maine for this
purpose. But most of those who had
heard Colonel Roosevelt speak knew
nothing about Mr.. Frye except that
he represented Maine in the senate,
and that knowledge was not sufficient
to keep them in their seats after they
had heard and seen Governor Roosc.
welt.
General Francis V. Greene. at that
time prominent in Republican politics
in New York state. presided at the
meeting. and he was greatly mortified
when he saw that it was apparently
about to break up of its own accord.
General Greene had already called
upon Senator Frye. who advanced to
the front of the platform aud began
to speak in low tone Of voice. But
nobody paid any heed to him, and he
was visibIy discomfited
Suddenly. General Greene had an
inspiration. He VAS blessed with =
very powerful voice. and in stcntorian
tones. that carried above the hustle
and confusion accustomed by the de-
parin. thousands. he cried as he adj.
vanccd to the edge of The platform:
Gentlemen. Gcnt.emcn Please re.
acting vice-prcsident of the United
States, Senator Frye"
II was a most tactful and efficient
way of arrcstnS' that departing
crowd; TO refer 10 Senator Frye as the
acting vicc-prcsidcnt, which he was
by virtue of the fact that he was then
president of the senate. was to give to
him an official dignity which he was
entitled TO. And no sooner had Ger
eral Greene made his appeal than the
people hcstatcd and the thought
seemed to run through the mind Of
all: eve have Just heard the Repub
lican candidate for vice-prcsdent.- and
this man who stands bcfor" us is act.
ing yice-p president We will sec what
lie amounts 10 as a speaker So
many reseated themselves. but MANY
more remained standing. awaiting the
first words OF the acting vice-prcsi..
dent
Senator Frye. "ilI his beautifully
mudriatcd. hutclikc voice, spoke Il sin
glc %enlclnc. The crowd gave him
instantly its car. Iic spoke again
The crowd began to settle itself firm
~ in the seats. In three minutes he
had that vast audience enlhral!ed.
and in the thrcc-quartcrs OF an hour
which he used in making his address
not one person left the hall. Then.
when he had finished they all sat for
a moment in silence before they burst
out in wild applause. Aud that is one
Of the finest tributes an orator can
receive.
tCopyri.hi. -lalI. ~ T.. :. Edwards. All
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