He was audacious in assault, apparently reckless in his modes of defense, and in all respects a debater of strong and notable characteristics.

Usually merciless in his treatment of an aggressive adversary, he not infrequently displayed generous and even magnanimous traits.

He had the faculty of attaching to himself, almost as a personal following, those members of the House who never came in conflict with him, while he regarded his intellectual peers of both political parties as natural foes whom he was destined at some time to meet in combat, and for whose overthrow he seemed to be in constant preparation.
Another marked character came from New England,--John A.Peters of Maine,--a graduate of Yale, a man of ability, of humor, of learning in the law.

He had enjoyed the advantage of a successful career at the bar and was by long training and indeed by instinct devoted to his profession.

In his six years' service in the House he acquired among his fellow-members a personal popularity and personal influence rarely surpassed in Congressional experience.