Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-09-28

OF the orator VIII be eAcrCiSea, "ouiu ICqsie
treatise, not an essay. AS weak nina ehgag
ed in great concerns never fails to make us ILL
teness the more conspicuous, SO splendid tai
ent devoid Of soundness ofJudgment. and piac-
ed in eminent station, will rarely tail to 1leoP-
ard the interests of individuals or the safety
Of the State. Numerous exigencies VIII arise
when precedents s. forms will be unavailing;
the mind will then be thrown upon its own re
the public happiness.
This def ct OF Judgment will be discernible
in refined spcculations in legislation, which can
rra ,onable jealouses and apprchensions; IN a
bortive attempts 10 alter the fundamental law,
in order to effect temporary and minor object;
in the Incorporate rashnrss with which
young man and a young membtr. in his very
debna, charges The old and distinguished states.
men Of the House, Individually or collectively,
with ignorance Of the Constitution, of the law,
and the forms OF business; in counteracting
the express provisions Of the compact Of our
Union under the pretencc Of enforcing its la
tent principles; in selecting military merit, un-
accompanied by civil attachments, for the high.
est civil Office, and supporting military preten-
sions by unheard OF theories; III blowing the
cmbers Of civil commotion, il not OF civil war,
for the laudable purpose of creating politl-
cal diversion, and comp Hing the Government
either to resort TO measures, which might
spread DIS ,lation through the land, or subject
itself to the imrutation of weakness, tor not
exerting, in time, its constitutions power; and
IN other acts which would induce moderation
to think Of certain politicians, that there is
nothing too extra agani for their hopes, and
liulr too daring for their ambition.
That, not only the "brightest order intel
Iect' is indispensable to the orator, but the
learning by which vigor can be- impaired to his
undrr,ta ding, and prudence 70 his counsels,
is remark too trite 10 BE- introduced were it
not now for the first time deliberately denied.
This is not an age, let MIR. McDuffie be assured,
when inanity can b. masked, or confidence sup
My the p ,ce of wisdom IAN orator in Con
gress desire permanent reputation, his kaowl-
edge must be accurate and extensive. He
ough, to know the principles of Government
and Legislation, while attempting to expound
them; and in HIS endeavors to expose the inca,
pacity or ignorance Of experienced statesmen,
lei him beware lest he betray his own. Full
ness Of period AID vindictive epihets, will he
yer Compensate for inrinsi" barrenncss. And
words destitute of thought and life, will no
more constitute an orator than the fOrtuitous
concourse of material atoms would form uni
verse, and people it with sentient beings, with
OUT the fiat of the Almighty.
To those endowments must be added, from
nature or + ON art, facility, energy, and COR
rectness of expression. Without facility, his
thoughts would b. anticipated; Without ener-
CIV, their effect would be lost, without correct.
n IS in arrangement and language, they might
offnd the taste; without convincing the iude.
ment.
N ed aid, that, to be successful, an orator
must be- impelled by enobling sentiments?
Who does not know that The look or silence Of d
Phoc,on often de ermined the proceedings OF
an A,henian Assembly?
To these must be added, qualities apparently
Incompatible. A prolific imagination, delight
ing in The creations of fancy, must vet be sub.
iecled to the rules Of logical precision On
some occasions, an orator is required to give to
he tints OF fancy their warmcst coloring, and
WELD TO the emotions Of an ardent patriotism
or excited srnsibility. On Others, TO wade
through the dYtechnicalities of legal lore, or
exhibit, in argument, the unadorneG simplicity
Of abstract truth. In The ardor of debate, while
attempting TO move, by giving reins TO his fan
CIV, or scope 10 his feelings, he must be able 10
regulate the one and Control the other. Amidst
The agita,iOns OF the Legislative Hall, he must
preserve his calmness anG selfpossess:on. His
style, action, aud sentiments, must vary with
the occasion, the subject, and the audience. Al
one time he must address the Court, at another,
the People. At one time, like Thucyddts and
Tacitus, he must open the recesses of The heart,
and develop causes, motives, consequences AT
another, initiate, in narration, the clearncss of
Csssr, or the seneninus vigor Of SaIlus,, or
the attic nealness of Xrnophon; at one time,
display the delicate irony of Pascal; at another,
the rich imagery OF Burke; at another, the sub
Unity Of Bossuet; at another, The sweetness,
grace, and ma jcsty of Cicero and Massillon; at
another, the whole combined in Demosthenes
on the crown, and aim at, il he cannot equal,
the fire and energy which no one but Demos.
themes has yet attained.
In addition 10 all these, an orator should pos
sess dignity and propriety Of manner more
readily felt than described; but which, like &C.
qnired reputation or external attire, too often
determines the Judgment before word is said.
or MANNER, all think themselves qualified to
judge. II operates upon the taste and feelings
If I,Sa