Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1841-09-28
From the Richmond w 10

wirhstanding the axiom, that the latter only Is |
born 10 his divine inheritance. The orator
must have reason and imagination combined, |
in high degree, and he must be, moreover,
endowed with.<e poets temperament: he |
must also hay he physical requisites of per-
son, manner, ID voice, give expression to |
the thought Which kinde in his mind. / hese |
are but go of the faculties and advantages,
without which it is impossible TO be, wall not
say an able speaker, but an orator, which is
something far higher and rarer. Mind and IN
formation suffice for the former; the latter must
also be red by genius. Mr.. Marshall, of Ken
tucky, noby asserted his claim to that proud
title today. ! pm foundation OF reason
and knowledge, le~xeared beautiful and i'm
posing structure Ywas but the hand
maid Of sense. civ sreasoned high"
but he impregn waited his argu-
ment with the bd the light OF
imagination A I'd forth with fervd
split, the glowing~SSeeam Of thought, the
mems diuinior kndled his eye, while his tall
and commanding figure heayed and expanded,
fluDaine abfldtuS. Nothing is more striking
than the bold freedom with which he launches
himself 1noMIhe torrent, by which he is ire
sistiblN png. He seams to forget the
CT t; to trust to inspiration alone,
I'd Ere voice and instrument of
til His manner, though not elo-
que and expressive, with some
thing f.eedom ofthe West; his voice
is not ha bus. nor even pleasant, yet it
rings upoh ear like the clang of sonorous
metal; his lres are bold and original, yet are
they not coHse or extravagant; his language
is not always scrnpulous or choice, yet IL is
not dsfigured by vulgarity or even provincial
deformity. Amidst the luXuriant profusion OF
thought and dictlon, in which he INDUCES and
notwithstanding the carelessness and
the apparent recklessness even OF his das hing
eloquence, the gentleman is always predomi-
nants 4bright example TO those who would
be ed and bold without violating the pro-
prid sf life and of parliamentary decorum.
H q spirit is united with a kindly temper
ant hal feelings; his alusions, therefore,
| thoJt personal and 6irec'. ere never Offer
sivey 8 sarcasm, though pointed and pungent
| is never brutal or insulting The weapon
which he wields, though keen and trenchant
is polished, and always gracefully handled
The golden chain which streams from his
| glowing lips, binds his hearers in willing lct-
tiers; they are spell-bound, and drink in his
charming words like and intoxicating draught.
When he ended, a pleasing impression
mingled itself with The disappointment 0
his hearers at his early close; for he
$50 charming left his voice, that they awhile
Thought him still speaking, still stood fxeG
to hear"
It's not possible, in a brief and rapid letter
to do the slightest justice to the effe ctIve pas
sages of Mr.. Marshall's speech; one or two onl
can be indicated: His notice of the assertio
of Mr.. Wise, that the w hig party was mon
. strous fgtus, which bed in tie birth, was dis
L ~ q
. severity; and when he ended with the cXu
| ting declaration that the "Herculean arm
hat gigantic infant was strong enough 10 crus
;. | any malignant serpent that might Inslnuate it
. sefinto It's cradle to sting it to DEATH" the G
: feet was electric. His vindcaton Of Mr.. ella
/ was alike dgnified and powerful--lt can
from him with the more grace, as he had bi
4 lately streueously opposed the great leader
: the Wing party, upon measure of Faranioai
n lnIportance. lae spoke OF ~
d talents; with enthusiasm Of his fame--whiC
n had gone abroad to all The ends of the cart
j He paid a lofty tribute to that courage, not
~ be subdued by obs ACES, or wearied by della
which had enabled him not only TO grapple, (
r. years, with the most formidable foes, but
a. encounter, with an erect and cheerful spir
,e that hardest of all dooms in Republic, POI
Q. ular obloquy, not always meted out to the Vi
no | worthy; Dy winch some OF The modest ben
n factors of mankind had been branded and sa
Ia rificed by the very people, 10 serve whom tn,
I'd had made the greatest efforts, and expos
81 themselves to the most fearful hazards.
: stead ofrepeIling Extensively, the assaults
On MIR. " Use upon the orator and statesman
r. Kentucky, he read, with exulting emphasis,
an lofty eulogy, which that gentleman had pr
% ,nounced upon him scarcely a year AFRO "a
;; tSen..sked, with an animated voce,b bat ternYc
I ed Indignation, what had happened since
rander him unworthy Of that high t.ibute ;
praise, which could add nothing to !al.
I from which censure could not detract.
IL This is but the faintest sketch of one who
indeed an eloquent and accomplished oat,
nd Would that such genius, Of which the natl,
as well as its possessor may well be proud, al
IN which was bestowed by the Divinity, of who
f1r it is an emanaton, for great and good purpose
were even under the guidance OF discretion;'
nc that prudent selfcontrol, without which i
70 highest gifts are lavished in vain, or rath
N become instruments Of evil, equal only to L
r IF good which their proper and laudable u
10 might have accomplished: Then would Am
If RIGA place the name of another Marshall in /
he treasury of her fame.