Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-04-08
FOR TIE ENG UTRE Err
Southern Litcr0ru Messenger for March, 1912.

Southern Literary Messenger for March, 1872
The leading article, in the present number of this
admirable Magazine, is entitled .7neient aud Modern
Eoquenee, and is understood 10 be from the pen Of
Professor T. r. Dew, President Of William and Mary
College The annuncation of this fact alone, is sui
cent to attract the attention OF the reader, and we as
sure him. that the favorable opinions he had previously
formed of Mr. Dew's talents and erudton, will not be
impaired by perusa of this article. Mr.. ID. has
taken correct view of the which promote elo
quence, also of those which produce its decline
popular commotons, attendant upon great political re-
WILSON'S struggles for power between two parties, nj
most equal in numerical strength, frequent appeals to
the great in their primary assemblies, misrule,
real or imaginary, Of some political cheftain, oppes
sion and persecution of the poor and helpless pro.
found sympathy with the virtues, and deep horror OF
the vices ttendant mankind, just appreciation CT
the infinite majesty of God, nice perception of the
beauties of creation, an Imagination fertile, but not
exuberant memory, stored with historical events and
poetical embellishments ready TO be produced for Illus
traton ornament constant exercise IN speaking,
clear, voice, measured, distinct enunca-
ton, agreeable, if not an elegant person and last
though not least perfect knowledge of the feelings,
prepossessons preudces and passions of his udience
All these and perhaps other endowments, necessary
to make great political or pulpit orator
Demostbenes has been very justly commended by
Professor Dew, the most perfect of ancient ora
tors but we think he does not award justice TO
the moderns, when he estimates them TO be so tar
below the illus Athenian. We do not know
how low the Eosls" language will exist but i; IS not
probable it will 10 coexist with the earth we IN
habit and Of this we are CERTAIN that so long as II does
exist, Just so long will the eloquence displayed on the
trial of Warren Hastings stand pre- eminent amongst the
efforts of human genius. The greatimasier-splrt who
conducted that prosecution The equal OF Demosthe-
mes in every mental endowment, and vastly his suPe-
ror in requirement. That he wanted the grace OF &C
ton that gave such charm to the eloquence OF De-
mosthenes cannot doubt; but this, however desIra
ble is ephemeral and cannot descend to postery e1.
cept in tradition. Let then any unpreJndlced man read
the oratons Of Denosthcnes and Of Edmund Burke,
and we are he will place the British perhaps we
should have said, the Irish statesman, ON the same
platform with his great prototype. The great Grafton
of Sheridan on the trial Of Hastings, alluded to by Mr.
Dew, is known only from tradition, and probably
as much indebted 10 the manner as the matter. But,
there is vet another: the ustrious Graian, who if in
feror to Demosthenes and Burke equal 10 Cicero and
greater than Horensus This brings TO the inquiry,
why little island matreated, persecuted, oppressed,
and despsed has given birth to vast proportion OF
the great orators of modern times Much is no doubt
to be attributed 10 the temperament Of the people and
to the early culture of the mag nation but we imagine
the great is to be found in their passionate fond
ness for classical literature and in the enthusiastic zeal
with which they xplore the strata in which the virgin
is imbeddcd.
lessor Dew who traces with mas:er.hand The outlines
Of his subject The observations he makes the late
national tupheaving and its consequences, are per-
fectly just That great popular excitement has nhu'
enced in great degree, and will continue 10 influence
the political oratory Of this nation and WILL doubtless
serve as precedent all future conflicts tor party pre-
| ponderance We know not whether, upon the whole
this is TO be deprecated not incline, however, &c
the opinion that good will result from the practice
our legislative halls Ciceronian custom OF making
speeches which never spoken, is becoming preva
lent Besides the deception Practsed upon the consul