The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1837-10-21

TO the absolute merit oil lie ancient oId-
tors we concede all praise. We are willing
10 admit, that, they attained all their cir
cumstances would allow. But that they
were superior to their modern successors
we cannot grant. For why, in the nature
of things, should this superiority exist!
Is not the human mind, in its grand distin-
gushing features, the same in all ages?
And had the ancents any facilities for de-
veloping it, which we do not possess
Had they republican institutions to secure
the rights and foster the genius of their citl-
zens! We have constitution, in compare
son with which, theirs would dwindle into
utter insignifcance. Did they possess a
greater variety and extent of territory than
VIC; and did il abound more largely than
ours, in the sublime and beautiful of nature,
to awaken and enliven their mental ener-
gies! Did they offer greater and more ho-
norable rewards to efoquence than we pro-
pose? No! In all these respects the adj
vantage lies with US.
Compare the specimens of modern with
those of sncient eloquence, and see if they
will not bear a comparison. Do they dis
play less extensive learning,-less power
of comprehension,-less clearness and CO.
gency of argument,--less depth ofthought,
less brilliancy Of fancy-less sdblimity
of conception!
But, we are triumphantly asked, is not
much of the beauty and force of the dead
languages lost in translation True; but
it is beauty of the style merely "a force
of words, and not of thought, and every
one, who has ever studied foreign lam
guage, knows that the most common
thought appears more striking, when pre-
sented in foreign dress. Therefore we
most strenuously maintain that no man,
unless the classic tongues are as familiar to
him as his own,-unless they are the lam
guage of his very thoughts aud dreams, is
capable of deciding impartially on this
point. No! This is but himsy and de-
lusive effort made by the devotees of an
tiquity, to wrap their deity in veil of mys-
terry, and thus palm upon the world the fu-
tile idea that he is immaculate, and cannot
be approached by the degenerate men of
modern days. And, unfortunately for the
world, the maneuvre has not been without
its effect. Muldtudes, impressed from
childhood with the thought that there never
have been, and never can be, orators equal
to those of Greece and Rome, have been
content 10 set down in listless inactivity, e.
drone away their existence in chanting
ther praises. Nay; in their enthusiastic de-
votion, they erect their intellectual Jugger-
naut, and mutitudes more, in the blindness
of their worship, cast themselves before
his massive car, and are crushed in hopes
and spirits foreveTl
But we are called to another and still
stronger test, and we are significantly ask
ed, did not the ancient orator produce graat-
er effects, than have been produced by
moderns! Let the French Pulpit answer!
Let the English Parliament reply! Let the
American Senate thunder forth its negative!
The truth is, the history of the last century
is replete with proof that eloquence has lost
none of It's omnipotent energy. It's true
Cicero could exasperate Roman Senators
accustomed as they were to be swayed by
passion, and arouse to pitch of frenzy the
rabble multitude of Rome, against the 4ilC
traitor of Catiline, who had plotted the ruin
of the State; but Sheridan could excite Il
such degree, the Indignation ola grave
and philosophical House of Lords, as abso
lutely to deprive them of reason; and tina
too, against the governor of a mere distan
province. A Demosthenes, also, when tht
Macedonian conqueror hung upon the Gre
clan frontiers, and was about to burst upol
them with all the destructive fury of war
could arouse the tickle Greeks, and nerv
their hearts for battle; but, Henry coult
excite to rebellion, calm, rejecting ant
quiet people, when the cloud of oppression
appeared but speck in the horizon.