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A Galaxy Of Political Stars

A Galaxy Of Political Stars image
Parent Issue
Day
21
Month
April
Year
1881
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

A newspaper man capturad and íntervievved Hon. Bichard Townshend novv member f rom Illinois, but who beKan his career as page in the house He is the first page who ever beeftme a full member of that body. He tells some interesting storiesol fanious men "I knew Thomas H. Banton very well, and have waited on him at the store many, many times. He was a curióos sort of a man. That he was a great man there can be no question. He was endowed with a wonderfu] fund of knowledge, and had perhaps one of the finest memories that ever gifted a man. He was inclined to be a little cold and phleginatic, but to his Inends he was warm and generous I hat he was a splendid hater there can" le no question. He was a great worker, and any labor he undertook was followed up with the gretest diligence. If you could once get his ear vou could soon get his heart, and that ■ aptured, you could rest assured thal you had a friend that would stand by you until the haavens would fall. i -new of Benton personally when he vas in his politica] decadence. lic was erhaps feeling a little aerimonious, as e thought he had not been treated exetly right by his party, and some of lifl pohtieal friends, and he had fui led to reach the zenith of his anibition. Iienton was a pleaaant speaker, and had considerable forcé, but would perhaps have had more had he f reed self of liis mannerisra when addreseing the senate. which indicated a sort of lofty dictatorialism. lus voice was powerful, and lus argument were always logioal, and at times clothed with sparkling rhetoric." "Henry Olay was a model of grace and a personiflcation of dignity, and tmited to his act ion lie had the most welodious and persuasive voice tliat I ever heard or tliat everfllled that senate ciiamber; He was tall, straight and dignitied. Ilia forra was a model of perfection in every particular. His hands were long and slender. His limba were flnely formed. His chest was ful! and mund, anc) hia liead was high and well rounded. His attitude inspeaking was particularly pleasing. He impressed all with the belief that the measure which he was advocating or assaulting was either the best or the worst in the world, and that his whole soul was listed for or against it. He was shan and quick in debate, and apt and ready in repartee. Ilis critioisms of men and measures was as pungent and severe as language could make tliem. Wnen He threw a shaft it was intended to pierce and draw blood. Ilis intlueuca in the senate has never been overestimated. It was really great. Ile was eertainly the commanding genius of that body, and when he choses he could eaiTV'thro' or defeat any project whatever. He had many eiiemies, and enemies who hated liiiu witli an inteiisity as that of an Othello. Ilis friends wci'tthe friends of loyalty and believed nothing against him and everytliing for him." "Was Webster popular ainong lus colleagues'?" "No, he was not. He was sucïi ;t cold, austere, haughty and overwhelmingly dignitied man, so unsusceptiblé to social amenities as to actas a refrié tor upon all those who surroimded him. Webster was feared, and no man who is feared can be loved." "Was he a good off-hand debater?" "Yes. Were a. stranger to have dropped into the senate gallery when Webster had the Hoor his first question would have been, My God, who is that ? He had the look of Jove, and tl ie manuur of Júpiter Olympus." "You knew Douglass ?" "Stephen A. Douglas was one of the most vivacious, one of the most affable of the great stateamen that J ever met in my boybood days, and no great men whom I have ev.r knew was a better friend to poor struggling boys thau he. He traveled up the rugged path of necessity hiinself, and he kuew all Mie difflculties, and he tried to lielp everybmly he could. Douglaa had lens acquired learning and more jimcticai iiom man any statesman of nis time. Ilis book-learning was of a meager charaeter, bui his cunningand adaptability were sü great that he suecmled in making the public believe that tie knew rauch more than lie did. As a popular orator, Douglas was almost as great a suoeese as ïom Corvvin orHenry ( 'lay. IHs magnetism was simply wondeiïul. He attracted scoiïers as well as frieuds, and held thein ljy the hour. Uöuglas had more principie than was allotted to bitn by public credence. Ih(lid not indulge in the chicaneiy of iliploinacy and the intrigues of parties as muchas he was blanied witli. ('onsidering the manner in whieh üouglas was raised, he was a woiulerfully accomplished gentleman, and as a society man none could possibly surpass liinï, and but few endeavoredto erjual."

Article

Subjects
Old News
Ann Arbor Democrat