Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1823-05-27

whilst am speaking tue subject oil elo9gcnec,
cannot iorbrNr paving just tribute of respect TO
the memory OF lillian Tinkney OF .Niryi.nid In
my poor judgment he WAS, without question, the
greatest orator 10 whom Young country has given
birth Whilst you were under the influence OF his
eloqucnce you were unnindiul OF the speaker, the
heiueis, ar the scene before you, and seemed TO he
transported 10 new world oi his creation, through
whlch you wandered wheresoeyer he chose to lead
or drive you. You Involuntary acknowledged in
INN the force OF hua,an genius and the wonderful
ana almost omniroent energy Of inellect--you wit
MESSED none OF the uicks and arts of the orator. no
efforts to excite momeotary admiration, no studied
elegance OF gesture but after you became Interested
~ the subject mailer OF disc usson, YOU lost sight of
all ms impet iections (Which were numerous) and
were unable 10 see, hear, or think oil any thing hut
the subject before you--you we're spel,bound by the
magic oi his eloquence, and forced to how TO the
supremacy OF intellect. l, has been said that his pri-
waite lite cptunahle. IN this particular
u Is To he hoped, that his emory has been Islander ed
But lie this ms 1t may he the first orator of the
,ge giant nj the bar, and could not he m,lp 90, of
y The rules which you would apply to ordinary men
mention him To YOU, as by nature, education and
habit an orator Of the first order, as a standing ex
ample OF the efficacy OF drssentafire eioquence and
oi what NAY he accompshedby industry, application
and iahour when nature has been bountiful in her
gifts.
To illustrate my ideas this subjec YOU will per
mt me, hope, TO name to you two pGrlidnasn taru
orators OF whom you have heard and known much
United States and now private citizen of Tirginia
and Pdfrick Henry, who has lately been STYLED
the " inspired American peasant"-Exaniine their
speeches IN the Pirginia conUention-Do you find
nc lie, energy, robust stamina in those Of Mr.
Henry, which always shew themselves in Mr. Midi.
sonSZ The former was considered the greatest ora
Tor oil his time, especially before jury or u popu
lar assembly but very much question whether
Mt Madison, in deliberative body was NOT his
suprii Tor In real eloquence. There was sometime
u ~ true, IN the manner of Mr.. Henry which M
-'fddis01 could never acquire; yet whilst Iabouriny
under tins defect he excelled him in the only kind
oi ein1nence which produces "a deep and perm,-
nent ihprcsslon---tl'e eloquence of argument Do
not chntge me with want Of respect for the me-
mofy OF H.nry. / am willing to ior in tho hie n
praises which have been bestowed on and look
upon hIni, IN his irdy, prodigy IL was not
my GOOD fortune To have seen hun or heard him. Nv
np'"Ion Of hun IS not formed from a perusal OF
tue speeches which he hns left us ON record for
they would shew him to disadyantape-it is
founded on The better judgment ofthose who
nave seen and heard him, in the meridian of
ms glory. There may be much truth in the,
statement OF his frierds-that it was impossi-
bic Tor Il reporter to do him lustice-If so, il is
SUBJECT oil regret that any attempt should ever
have been made TO hand down TO us one of
his speeches, His reputation is dear TO his
country, and it is unfortunate, that its lustre
should have been damned by the offcious and
il-Judged Zeal Of those who have vainly at
tempted 10 giseus specimens Of his eoqueuce
Ihird-the public speaker should have
knowledge ot the characters ofthose to whom
he addresses himself. The same STYLE of
speaking will not suit the pulpit and the bar,
Il bench of grave and venerable Judges and
tumultu0us assembly of unlearned men. A
popular assembly has feelings, preiudices and
opinions different from those ola religious con-
Sregatlon judges and Jurors differ from both
oil Them. They should be spoken to, in Ian
suage and manner, suitable To each .Menenius
.fgTippd showed that he was well acquainted
with human nature and had power 10 con-
trnui the human passions, when he suppress.
ed "a rebellion amongst the common people in
dnc'em Rome, by relating the fable of the b, lly
ana The Lnnbs. He effected, by plain mar
ration OF TINS Fable, What the wisest man in
ffome could not have accomplished by the
most Eboured and splendid speech. Julius
Cesar is said to have quelled a mutiny in hi,
army by the use of one word. Public speak
ers IN Rome, in time of peace, addressed the
citizens Qutrttes hut military commanders
addressed their soldiers--.hiLites When Ca.
sar's soldiers rebelled, he acknowledged nv
Inc single word Quirites-their total exemp-
tion from all the restraints ofmilitary law and
threw himself on their generosity and mag
nanlmlty. He knew their characters and
the appeal was not made in vain. They re-
qursted their commander TO address them as
soldiers, and instantly returned to subordina-
uon. TO know those to whom he speaks and
to adapt himselfin style, manner and matter
to their ocular frelmg., should be the constant
care oi the orator: otherwise he will some
times render himself ridiculous; or he will
cast pearls TO swine and they will trample
them in the dust.
For the present have said enough. Ipray
God to en'ighten your mind and enable Won To
acquire that knowledge Of mankind which
every public speaker should possess.
YOUR LOVING I1NCTE