Evening journal., 1912-09-26
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
The Orator Who Captured
a GreatWarriOr 'SAdmiratiOn
BY Holland.

In the late spring OF 1878 the Grand
Army of the Republic met in annual
grand encampment at New Haven,
Connecticut. The gathering was one
of the largest Of the G, a, r, since its
organization.
Senator Grant went TO New Haven
from Washington as the chief guest
Of the encampment, and he was enter
tanned at the house of his friend, the
late Henry Farnum. whom. | think,
General Grant had met at the time Mr..
| Farnum was engaged in building or
| extending the Chicago, Rock Island
and Parciiic Railroad. Another en-
campment guest of honor was General
Phil Sheridan, and he demonstrated
his great popularity with the soldiers
by leading the great encampment pa
rade, marching on foot at the head of
the column.
Another distinguished soldier who
was present was General Charles
Devens of Massachusetts, who was to
be the Accomplishment of the United
States In the administration Of Presi-
dent Hayes five years later.
The encampment banquet was a
grand affair. General Grant sat in the
seat of honor at the right of The COM
mander of the Grand Army; at the
left General Sheridan sat, and nearby
General Devens was placed. Late I'm
the evening the POSTMASTER announc-
ed the toasts. The speaking was good,
but not remarkable, until General
Devens responded to a toast to the
army.
General Devens was a man of nota-
| BILE personal appearance His bear
! ing was that of the soldier who was
also the orator for he was both dig
nified and yet full Of animation. His
voice was finely adapted for public
speaking in large halls Il was mu-
steal, and he enunciated every word
very clearly, He had gained a reputa-
ton as a valiant soldier in some Of
the Virginia campaigns. About twenty
years earlier. when, as United States
marshal of Massachusetts,. he was
compelled under the law to take a
fugitive slave to Savannah, he was
/ much criticized by the administra-
ton of Massachusetts for that act His
only reply was that he was a sworn
officer of the law and for that reason
was compelled to obey the mandates
of the court. But when he reached
Savannah he offered 10 buy the slave,
in order TO set him at liberty
It was my good fortune 10 hear
General Devens respond to the toast
to the army at the Grand Army ban
quet in New Haven. I had heard
many Of the great orators of that
time. suit it seemed to me that none
Of them surprised General Devens
The audience was wildly enthusiastic
saw President Grant apolauding
vigorously by clapping his hands, and
General Sheridan waved his napkin
high in the air.
After the banquet President Grant
met a few friends on the rear piazza
OF the beautiful home Of Henry Far
mum on Hillhouse Avenue. in New
Haven. His mind seemed to be CEN
tered upon the address OF General
Devens. Between puffs Of his clear
President Grant said to that little
company.
II have heard many orators have
read some of the famous orations. But
now that / have heard General Devens
want to say that / have at least
realized what great oratory reall.
means And. furthermore. I want Il
saw to you that Devens's sneech 10.
night is the finest Grafton I have ever
heard, nor do I recall any GRAFTON
which I ever read which is fully It's
ecual"
That was the first time General
Grant was ever heard 10 express an
opinion respecting an orator. And 4
was an opinion which he never
CHANGED. as his son. General Frede
rick Dent Grant once told me.
(Copvright. 1912. nv Z. J. Edwards
All rights reseerved)
Tomorrow Mr.. Edwards viii tell n
"A Presidential Candidates Crypti,