Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-09-22
From tie National Lnteligencer.
PHILO-LOWNDES-No. III.

ELoouENCE UNITED TO LEARNING REQUISITE IN
A STATESMAN.
"Expert men can Judge of particulars ono by one;
but the general causes and marshang oeaalrs, come
"best from those that are karned."-BAcoS.
If the duties required Of statesman, be, as
have attempted to show, the most important that
can be conferred by communities on responsible
agents, it would seem TO follow, as necessary
inference, that the capacities of those called 10
discharge them should be of a prcport'onate or
der; or else the harmony Of nature would be de-
stroyed, aud tho burdens Of giants would be i'm
posed on dwarfs.
This inference will derive strength from the
cor sideration OF the intellectual attachments
uuired in one, upon whose knowledge, wisdom,
and virtue, will depend the happiness and sale
" Of an entire community.
To some of these attainmen,s, incidental al
lusion has already been made. No man can
doubt whether an individual aspiring 10 this
dignihed station, ought not to possess at least
the literary and scientific requirements usually
thought necessary 10 those who are content 20
pursue the more common avocations Of lie.-
But, in addition 10 these, there are other branch
rs of knowledge, sufficient OF themselves 10
task the energies Of the most capacious mind,
in which he must be skilled, or subject himself
TO the imputation Of vanity and Presumption
With political science, teaching the domestic and
foreign policy of nations, disclosing the consi-
tuents OF their growth, prosperity, and safety,
and upon which must be based the edihce OF ju-
dcious legislation: with the history Of man, in
every age, showing by the examples Of other
States the dangers 20 which his own is exposed,
and enabling him TO apply, in successive emer-
gencies, the wisdom acquired by the experience
,,t ,ier NuL oea lie he
bosom Of God, whose voice is the harmony of
the WORLD" which proclaims the rules by which
individuals, and communities, and nations,
should regulate their conduct it'll each o,her:-|
il is to be hoped tba, no individual is ignorant,
who aims 10 direct the general counsels," and
wishes TO preserve the reputation which he may
have previously acquired. But there is another,
and higher attainment-higher, because re-
curing still mole enlarged capacity, and
nobler gift from Heaven. in which il is useful,
if not necessary, that statesman should excel.
And this is eloquence. Ii is this which gives
perfection TO The rest.
BY eloquence l mean the power 10 commu.
nicate our thoughts, persuasiveIy, on any sub
ject.
Man has been viewed by philosophers as en-
dowed with reason, memory, and imagination;
and these are called faculties of the mind. The
understanding and judgment may be referred 10
reason. Invention and fancy to the imagination
But whatever may be the faculties Of the
mind, it is certain that they would be silent and
inert principles, unless developed by thought
The medium of development is language, by
the organs OF speech, the art Of writing, and
sometimes by signs, or other symbols. II is the
obJrct OF eloquence TO give TO thought, thus de.
seoped, by speech or writing, its beauty, its en-
ergy, and lis effect, by appropriate exhibitions,
addressed to men possessed of understanding,
imagination and passions.
These exhibitions are only appropriate when
suitable 10 the subject on which they arc em>
ployed, and 10 the persons TO whom they are
addressed.
The public speaker seeks 10 communicate
thoughts in the language of eloquencc, and is
called an orator.
The writer is more or less eloquent in pros
portion as his ,criifen thoughts contain the cs-
sential principles Of genuine oratory.
The importance Of eloquence as science. or
oralory as an art, is in exact proportion to the
utility of speech and writing. IL it be true, as
generally supposed, that speaking and writing
are among the highest endownenls conferred |
by beneticent Creator upon his creature man,
then will the gf Of eloquence be never under |
valued; which imparts 10 these endowments
their greatest perfection, and applies them TO |
their noblest ends. Accordingly, we 6na that,
in all ages, in every cline, in al! nations. civil.
Ized or savage, eloqucnce has been the delight |
OF mankind, and has exerted controlling inilu.
ence over their deliberations and concerns.
1t is the eloquence of the nn,utored Indian.
u''er'ng, with vehemence, or palhos, the Ian
guage OF nature, that gives him predominance
in the councils of war.
. IL was eioquenee that raised Pitt, the elder,
from Corner of Horse 20 be Premier Of Eng
land; gave him, for i time, The chief sway in
her councils; enabled him TO raise his country
ION degradation and defeat; and would have
enabled him still more to add to her repowp,
had not the food-ga,es Of unmerI,ed pErRAc.
.ioN ana GALUMNy been opened upon him by
orosututed press, purchased and directed by
acuous politicians, possessing moi one spark Of
lis independence, his patriotism, his integrity,
u MS genus, and forced his Commanding en-.
'rgy oyeid to that imbecil,y which tore from
ne Crown of England. lin spite of his warning
its brightest Jewel, and caused the !