New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-06-22
Herewith General Horatio c. King, for a
Quarter Of Century the Intimate Friend
of MIR. Beecher, Recounts Incidents
Which Cast Light on the Great
Orators Personality.

dice. and we took the long trip full
| of lively anticipation. The church was
crowded. We had excellent seats in the
1 front gallery. Mr.. Beecher's appear
ance on the platform was a disappoint-
ment. OF medium height. rather stocky
! in build, with round, full face. a careless
carriage, black frock suit Everett wore
the conventional dress suit, and Mr..
Beecher never wore one in his life) and
long. dark hair curling around his neck.
His subject was THE Christian Com
monwealth." 1 find this boyish entry in
/. my diary OF Tuesday, March "a: AT 7:30
| in the Presbyterian Church / listened
TO the finest lecture IL was ever my good
fortune TO hear. Notwithstanding I
could not concur with him CIR. Beecher)
in his fanatical views OF equal rights
and pulpit politics. still all must acknowl-
edge IL to be a mastery efusion from
the pen OF a smart but misguided man"
His manner, at first calm and unim-
passioned, increased to fervid eloquence,
and in fifteen minutes he had given evil
dence of the wonderful power which
stamped him. in my Judgment. as the
greatest orator OF his age.
THE POWER OF ELooUENcE.
From time 10 time a long unruIy lock
on his forehead would fall down over
his eyes, and he would throw It back With
a toss OF his head, accompanied by some
impassioned outburst or telling wfticism
that brought down the house. We were
completely captured by his eloquence. and
declared that natural oratory. in swaying
the multitude. left studied forms OF ex-
preston far in the rear.
In recalling this incident to Mr.. Beecher
when came to Brooklyn he smiled and
said It cost him more than three years
Of continuous and arduous practice TO
acquire that so-caIIed natural style; that
as a youth he was timid and hating in
speech and afraid Of his own voice He
took lessons in oratory under Lowell, the
compiler Of the old "Loyelps Z. 3.
Speaker" the pioneer OF American col
Iections, and haunted the woods to prac-
tise. with only the trees for his audience.
He recited set pieces and detained ex-
tempore. haIIoed, yelled and gesticulsted
until he acquired almost perfect control
OF his voice and gesture, and then went
forth 10 charm and convince by an elo-
I
It is not the purpose OF this paper to
give a biographical sketch OF this great
man, with whom it was my privilege TO
be closely associated for a quarter Of
century. He was OF remarkable versa
/ tllity and of varied knowledge and ac-
complishmeuts, but he will ultimately
take his place in history as the greatest
pulpit orator, ranking with Shakespeare
in the drama and Milton in poetry This
may seem extravagant praise, but II is
based upon a twenty-five years. attend
ance upon his preaching and upon very
large number OF his Incidental addresses
social. political and patriotic-during
that long period. For rarely missed an
opportunity TO hear him speak.
A CHARACTERISTIC SPEECH.
On the wall In my back parlor hangs a
splendid cabinet photograph OF Mr.
Beecher, the work OF lockwood. de-
ceased. late dean OF the New York fra
ternity, under which is written. in bold
hand:
Brooklyn. N. Y.
f4 Columbia Heights.
When the King commands, who dare
HENRY WARD BEEcHER.
Beneath this in my own handwriting is
this explanation:
Written from Peekskill. N Z. Septem-
Der IS, 1852, in answer TO my note threat
ening him that II he did not attend the
dinner OF the 18th Regiment 10 the British
rifle team / would. as judge advocate Of
the brigade, court-martial him.
Many will remember the great excite
ment attending the International ride
Continued on second page.