The Washington herald., 1914-07-08
HISTORY BUILDERS.
A Speech that Charmed Clay and
Webster.
written expressly for p. Herald
ny mn. E. y. EDWARDs.

BY DR. ". J. EDWAhDs.
The late Commodore Van santyoord.
who years before his death was esteemed
perhaps the greatest master Of Internal
navigation by way Of the Erie Canal and
the Hudson River. spoke TO me. at a-time
when the conversation had turned upon
the mastery OF great audiences BY Will
lam J. Bryan. OF an incident In his early
life which he always recalled when he
heard any famous orator or when he
heard any one speak Of some one who
had gained distinction as an orator.
"A year or two before was twenty-one
years Of age paid my FIRST visit to WassI-
ington," said the commodore. u am not
sure OF the year. but / think II was IN
1887, ] was very anxious to see the dis
tlnguished Senators and Representatives
of that day. hoped that Daniel Web
ster would speak while I was there for
greatly wanted to hear him. But was
especially anxious to hear Henry Cky,
for Clay was the idol Of the Wings In my
boyhood days In Central New York.
Il made many inquiries. but learned
that no discussion was pending In the
Senate or was likely to take place In
which either Webster or Clay would take
part The best could do was TO go to
the Senate Chamber and look from the
gallery at these distinguished men.
Two or three days after had arrived
in Washington a friend Of my father who
was then living In the city advised me to
go TO the House Of Representatives and
hear a young man who. although a ma
tive OF Maine, had removed 10 Vicksburg.
Miss, where he had gained wonderful
reputation as an orator. This young man.
was told, had been elected as a Repre-
sentative in Congress from Mississippi.
He was q Whlg and had beaten the Dem
ocratic candidate for Congress.
II asked what the young mans name
was. and was told that II was Seargent
s. Prentiss. His election had been con-
tested. and he was to speak in defense
Of the report that he be allowed TO re-
tain his seat
II was not particularly interested until
my friends said to me that Prentiss had
so great reputation as an orator that I
was likely TO see some OF the great ora
tors of the Senate, among them Webster
and Clay, in the House. They would be
sure to go to the House for the purpose
OF hearing the brilliant young orator.
That information was sufficient 10 lead
me to the House OF Representative. I
got there just in time. / saw a very
handsome. smooth-shaven young man.
the -brilliancy Of whose eyes especially at
trscted me. rise and address the Speaker.
who afterward became President OF the
United states-James K. Polk
81 was instantly charmed by the Pc
culiar melodioUs and yet not .monotonous
tones OF the young mans voice. II exer-
cised spell over everybody who was in
the House. His language was singuIarly
felicltious. and he seemed not TO hesitate
for single word. Every member Of the
House, so far as could see, sat as to
face. IL possible, the speaker, and as he
turned continually those who were In the
rear had abundant opportunity to see
him. heard little rustic or saw a lit
tie movement In the House. and then
somebody who sat near me said. Here
come Webster and Clay"
These great men were offered good
seats and constantly observed them.
They must have listened to Prontiss for
at least three hours Both were COM
pletely absorbed with his oratory. Web
ster never took his eyes OF the speaker,
This mastery. however. Prcntiss excrted
over the entire assembly. ] could have
sat all night and have listened 10 him. al
though was 80 young that 7 WAS unable
fully TO appreciate the force Of his arET-
ments. ] stayed there until adjournment
for the day. Prentiss had not finished
his speech at adjournment. and went
next day to the House to hear him