Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-10-02

Le pislation; Milton, Homer, and Shakespeare
1, oo,trv. Demosthenes and Cicero, In Oratory;
,lIcr and Svdeuham, in Physics, Bacon ana
7 ;hnitz in Philosophy and Universal Science;
T,bnson in Literature; Aga;hocles, Bonaparic,
Al.x ,rdor. Ma,ius, and Cesar, in war; eyinced,
undoubtedly, great original genius. but be
fore we as. ign the superiority, IN point oil grhi-
rs. to AgatlIac les, or I 9sar, 1t must ne SNOW"
that their actions exhibited the faculties oil me-
mory, imagination, taste, and Judgment III
higher perfection than Cicero. shakespeare
Milton Homer, and Newton. WIN Mr' MT
Dufie again hazard his reputation by support.
inc a proposition like this? Until he does, l
shall refrain from insulting the understandings
of the pub!ic by comparing the mental facui-
ties exhibited, in action, by renowned warriors,
with those DISPLAYED in the writing, OF men 10
whom civilized society is indebted for whate-
yer distinguishes it from the savage state; and
to whom e. ch indi, idual owes his MODEST and
most re fined enjoymen,s.
But perhaps il may be said, that, "to com
. bare the men tai faculties exhibited, In action
" by a warrior, and those displayed in a work
4" or genius, would be to weigh the operations
:" of in ell, ct in the scales of metaphysics, and
g require a degree Of abstraction 10 whlcn all
sc persons will not be wiling 10 submit. The
" surest test of intellect is the effect which II
1" produces upon society. Let us, then, con
/" slider ,hr consequences flowing from the acts
" Of the Military Hero, the Orator, and the
=" w tier"
To this | assent, and hazard little in asserting
that the Orator and Writer need not SHRINK
from the comparison.
When. according to Homer, the conf dera-
led Grecians discouraged by unexpected dis
astrr and delay, and iu,tigated by he advice
Of Thyrsi,cs (the fit exrmplar Of modern De-
rR,crEss) were a ut to abandon heir entfr
prise, and Hy prec,pitately from the walls OF
ROY: they were arres ed by The voice oil Olys
ses: and moved by his eioqaence 10 consuli
tneil honor-not lheir safety: did not Ulysses
BY iGdu- ing them 20 remain, contribute as mu'f
to he des ~ruction Of Troy as the unl'ed brave
nv e the combined army Was not their sub
seQuent success attributable to him! ~
was the opinion Of antiquity. 1t was for hi
eloquence and superior wisdom IN council, ma
the arms Of Achi,lrs we've AWARDED TO him, "a
the person most irorihy ny the ieodsrs q me Con
Eleracy: a Judgment .atiied by the approval o
subsequent ages-but which at the time, Undue
ed his rompet tor, the brave, but pas tomato
{ suspi ious, and headstrong AJAX, to bt>om
I his Own destroyer.
| Le, it NJ, be OBJECTED that this is the dic!"n
I Of a poet; il was OF a poet who had read the II"
r man heart; aud It is because the poets eAem
, nlJy The nrjncinIcs Of human action ,ha, The
. i, rncdGro,ims has adduccd hem in support Of
his priucinles IF National Law.
When Demo s,henes, Ivy his unrivalled clio
: qu-nce, reused the Athrnians from their -apa
, thy, and showed the dangers with which the
& COR. threatened Inv the ambition of Phi,ip, d,
n. no, alone contribute as much TO the glory o
!, his coaulry, AMI Inc observation-disclosures
NY III TIE he'd!
When Cicero, pcnet ra'lng oy ~ =, T ~
INTO rs d1hhsaaPsGtff Slain Of elouueuce seldom canal
= led. EXPOSED the bloody mans Of his f,roid,
bic consDirator. and advised The aao,,;on -
, measures, which gained Eor him the a,noIla,;,,
: Of "Sa,iour of his Coun,rvn-was his ac,io,
less entitled 10 applaus,, or was j, a less s,rik
ing nroof of superiority Of intellect. than Tia
|, OF Caesar on the plains IF pbarsalia. or Of Sci
MO Oh the field nj Zama,
When PHI. tn. cider. vac c,,cd n, rho VOICE
Of the Pcople to preside oyer the Connects al
Great Britain. he cound her oyerwhsI,ed \,