•June 6, 2018•

By Eden Martin
NP Guest Columnist

A combination of factors led Albert to develop his talent for public speaking:

First, he was blessed with a strong work ethic, a clear mind and outstanding memory, all of which contributed to his development as a fine speaker.

Second, that natural talent was nourished by hearing the Fourth of July and Memorial Day speeches that typified holiday celebrations in central Illinois.

Third, he was impressed by the Methodist church services. Allie wrote in his draft autobiography about those services: “The ‘mourner’s bench’ was a very genuine thing in those days. The churches of every denomination were always having revivals — at least they had revivals every winter. At these revivals the Methodists would shout in an ecstasy of religious exultation or groan in the depths of a real repentance. … Every winter there would be joint debates in the schoolhouses between some two farmers of prominence who were conspicuous bible readers about this, that and the other passages of the Scriptures.”

Fourth, he attended political as well as religious debates. “The political meetings were very lurid. No speaker was popular who did not abuse the other side. …. ‘Fellow Democrats: I do not say fellow citizens because there might be some black Republican here who thinks he is a citizen and I don’t want to speak to anybody but honest men. This black Republican administration is made up of scoundrels. Old Grant is a thief. John A. Logan is a horse thief.” “Of course, however, all of these people were really very good citizens and at heart wanted the very best things for their country.”     Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.