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_From the “Boston Post.”_
THE death of the brilliant young Southerner whose eloquence yet rings in
our ears followed so closely upon his visit to Boston that it doubtless
arouses a keener sense of regret and a clearer realization of loss here
than in other communities. Mr. Grady, moreover, in speaking for the New
South, whose aspirations he so ably represented, while addressing the
whole nation, yet brought himself more closely to New England in his
arguments, his contrasts and his fervid appeals; and, whether it was
admiration of his courage in combating the remnants of traditional
prejudices in the heart of the section in which this feeling once was
the strongest, or a sympathy with the sentiments which he expressed in
such captivating language, it cannot be doubted that the warmest
recognition which he has received outside his own State is that which he
won from this community.
In all his efforts to spread that knowledge of the sentiments and the
purposes of the South which would tend to make the restored union of the
States more secure and more harmonious, Mr. Grady has addressed himself
especially to New England. It was at the meeting of the New England
Society in New York, in 1886, that he made the first notable speech
which evoked such a ready and generous response from all sections of the
country; and the last public words which he spoke in furtherance of the
same purpose were those delivered upon Plymouth Rock at the end of the
recent visit which he described as a pilgrimage.
It is seldom, indeed, that a people or an idea has the fortune to
possess such an advocate as Mr. Grady. He not only knew where to carry
his plea, but he had a rare gift of eloquence in presenting it. Whether
Mr. Grady, as his field of effort enlarged, would have developed a more
varied talent as an orator, can never be known; but in the illustration
of the one subject on which he made himself heard before the people he
showed himself a master of the art. On this topic, full of inspiration
for him, he spoke with a brilliancy and power which were unapproachable.
Since Wendell Phillips, there is none possessed of such a strength of
fervid eloquence as that which this young man displayed. Much of the
effect produced by his speeches, of course, must be attributed to the
existence of a sentiment seldom aroused, but ready to respond to such an
appeal; but when every allowance is made for the circumstances under
which he achieved his triumphs of oratory, there remains the inimitable
charm which gave power and effect to his words.
If Mr. Grady had been simply a rhetorician, his place in the public
estimation would be far different from that which is now accorded him.
Without the talent which he possessed in so remarkable degree, he could
not have produced the effect which he did; but back of the manner in
which he said what he had to say, which moved men to tears and to
applause, were the boldness, the frankness and the entire sincerity of
the man. His words brought conviction as his glowing phrases stirred the
sentiment of his hearers, and amid all the embellishments of oratory
there was presented the substantial fabric of fact. His last speech in
Boston was as strong in its argument as it was delightful in its
rhetoric.
The influence which Mr. Grady has exerted upon the great movement which
has consolidated the Union and brought the South forward in the march of
industrial development cannot now be estimated. He has not lived to see
the realization of what he hoped. But there can be no doubt that his
short life of activity in the great work will have far-reaching results.
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