The Washington herald., 1914-06-24
HISTORY BUILDERS.
Senator ingalls, and His ExtempOre
Speeches.
tWnuen eNWesAJ ior ne herAin.l
BY DIR. Il. .. EDWARDS.

By DR. Z. >. EDWARDS.
When John J. Ingalls, was a member OF
the United States Senate. representing in
part Kansas in that body. as he did for
eighteen years. he was sure Of gallery
filIed audience when # was announced
that he was going TO speak. No one ever
regretted having gone to the gallery to
hear Senator Ingalls,. His voice and his
manner OF speaking. particularly the
marvellous distinctness Of his enuncia-
ton. seemed to be in fun sympathy with
and perfectly characteristic Of his physi-
cal organization. No man in the Senate
OF his day stood more erect than did
Senator Ingalls, His attitude was that
OF a man who had been. trained at West
Point and his bearing was thought TO be
more soldierly than that Of some Of the
graduates OF West Point who In his day
were members OF the Senate.
He possessed a voice OF singular pene-
trating powers. not exactly harsh-for
he had mastered the art Of thoroughIy
modulating his tones-and yet resonant.
II was barytone voice. not a rich. deep
instrument like the organ voice OF Sena-
tor Conkling or a peculiarly sweet and
liquid voice like that of Senator Matt
Carpenter. whom as an orator Senator
ingalls, greatly admired.
Senator Ingalls, was often spoken of as
possessed OF the best Of taste in the Sc
lection of his garments and especially Of
the manner In which he clothed his neck.
He always wore a frock coat usually
closely buttoned. and yet he did not
seem 10 be dressed for especial ceremony
nor at any time was he overdressed~ He |
was punctilious about the polish Of his |
shoes. There was some quality associat- !
seemed to suggest intellectual refine |
ment, as his customary garb always sug-
gested refinement of person
The Senator's manner Of speaking was
that OF man who trusted to the i'm
pulses of the moment He was some
times regarded as the best extempore
speaker in the Senate. probably because
he had wonderful skill In making II np-
pear that his addresses were thoroughly
prepared
I met the Senator on the train between
81. Louis and Kansas City in the sum-
mer OF 1852. He was then on his way
home for a summer vacation. I spoke to
him rather venturesomely Of the COM
non impression that he always spoke ex-
or on the spur Of the
moment.
That IL an erroneous impression" he
'eplied. II never speak unless know nv
iuhject well. The man who speaks ex-
emporaneously or impromptu will make
/ dismal failure unless his mind Is sat
rated with his subject. A welI-trained
mind can formulate into orderly arrange
nent the general outline Of a speech, and
man have any faculty OF diction he
an easily and appropriately express the
hought
I have taken heed OF some distressing
Ittempts at extemporaneous speaking
pon subjects Of which the speaker had
title or no knowledge. ] would no more
hink OF speaking 10 the Senate upon any
uestion Of which had no knowledge
han ! would OF attempting to fy from
nv seat in the Senate to the press gal
'ry. presume that there Is no mem
er or the Senate who speaks with more
areful preparation than that which lies
ehind all Of my addresses. But the man
rho knows his subject can speak II he
q master OF himself at any moment {
ven though he be called upon suddenly. c
hat has occurred 20 ne several times. 7 J
m profoundly persuaded Of the fact that :
u species Of knowledge may be, sooner Il
r later. Of avail to a United States Sem
tor
coTyrisht. 1914. by e J. Edwards. An rizbs, - 3
serredl I,
Tomorrow Or. Edwards viii tell Of "a d
iplomat Without Charm Of Personality"