Georgia and Georgians - the Digital Library of Georgia

GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS 2871of his time has long been conceded in every section of the Union. The invitations which come to him from all over the United States to appear uponpublic platforms, to speak as the guest of honor before great political organizations and party clubs, to deliver the annual addresses at the great universities of the country, and, what is perhaps most gratifying and significant ofall' the deluge of invitations which .pour in upon him from those who knowhim best and have heard him most frequently, all these establish his preeminence beyond all doubt.In estimating Mr. Graves' marvelous gifts and achievements as an oratorthere has been a distinct tendency to compare him with the late and lamentedHenry W. Grady. When that distinguished orator passed away it was thespontaneous Verdict of the people of the country that the mantle of the olderman had fallen upon the younger. While this was entirely true, it was notthe entire truth. While Henry W. Grady was in the zenith of his glory herecognized and freely conceded the splendid gifts of John Temple Graves,and'the people of the nation held the two jointly in the highest regard. Butin estimating the achievements of the two men there is one important factthat should not be overlooked, and that history itself will not overlook. Inentire loyalty to Grady it must be said that his course was ordained to liealong pleasanter and less resistant lines than that of the subject of this sketch.Possessing a temperament naturally sunny and optimistic, it has neverthelessbeen the lot of Mr. Graves to antagonize many established convictions and tofight his way to the hearts and minds of the people, to capture their judgmentand win their applause in spite of their many preconceived opinions. It hasnot always been an agreeable duty, but as a man of convictions and one whoscorns subterfuge and demagogy Mr. Graves has never hesitated to speakboldly and frankly on great political and sociological questions which arevital to the welfare of the people. In presenting his views on these paramount questions "he would not flatter Neptune for his trident, nor Jupiterfor the power to thunder." His bold stand on the negro question at Chautauqua,New York, for instance, aroused fierce denunciation from illiberalcritics, but he stood up boldly before the same audience in the same hour andhurled aiv extemporaneous reply which effectually silenced his adversaries.So also his great speech before the University of Chicago has met with vigorous attacks, but Colonel Graves has succeeded in establishing his contentionto the satisfaction of all who are open to the truth.It required no small amount of courage to maintain the position, throughall these years,, that the only basic and permanent solution of the negroquestion, which dominates the South like the very spirit of evil, lies in thecolonization of the negro. And yet, as a result of his long and ardent andeloquent crusade he has.succeeded in bringing many of the greatest thinkersof his own and the negro race to his point of view, and they are earnest inthe support of the measure he advocates. So, when his work is mentioned inconnection with the achievements of Grady, it is to be borne in mind thata more difficult task has been that of Colonel Graves' and that the highwayhe has trod to equal eminence has been infinately more thorny.No man who has never sat under the spell of John Temple Graves' oratorycan form any conception of the spontaneity, the grace and captivating charmof an eloquence which literally '' wins where it wanders and dazzles where itdwells." Said Samuel Rogers of Tom Moore, "Surely, Tom, you must havebeen born with a rose on your lips and a nightingale singing in your ear."Such is the impression which one gathers from hearing the rhythmic beautyof Colonel Graves' style, which seems to be "logic on fire," the highes'tconception of beauty and strength. To suffuse an oration with that namelessgrace which comes from a perfect mastery of the English language withoutat the same time sacrificing anything of close and cogent reasoning is perfection to which few American orators have ever attained; and yet such is but