The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1844-10-04
A Truly Great Nluu.

A few years since, gentleman travel
ing in Virginia, at the close of the day,
stopped at public house to pass the
night. He had butjust alIgh,ed, when an
old man arrived in his gig with the appa-
rent intention Of becoming his fellow
guest. The cour,esies of plain honest
strangers passed between them, and they
entered the tavern. Soon after an addi-
ton of several young gentlemen was made
to their number. As soon as they were a
lulle rested ard refreshed, the conversa-
ton was turned by one of those to an elo-
quent harrangue that day made at the bar.
Ii was replied by another of the young
men. that he witnessed the same day an
exhibition Of eloquence no doub. equal,
but that it was from the pulpit. Some
thing like sarcastic rejoinder was made
to the eloquence of the pulpit. and a de-
bate ensued, in which the merits of the
Christian religion were very freely dis
cussed. Meanwhile the old gentleman
listened with all the meekness of a child.
as il adding new treasures TO the stores Of
his own mind, or, perhaps, with patriotic
emotion, rejecting on the future deslines
OF his country. and the rising generation
upon whom these destinies must devolve
when he should be sleeping with the no.
nored dead or, most probably, with a
sentiment of moral and religious concern
and benevoence, he was adjusting an ar
gumenl which characteristic of himseIf)
no sophistry would be able to resist. The
traveller first named remained spectator,
taking no part in what was said.
Allenglh one of the young men remark
ing that it was vain to combat with the
prejudices of early education, wheeled
round, and, with an air of familiarity, en-
claimed, "Well, my old gentleman, what
think you of these things ~ IL, says the
traveller, flash Of lightning from heaven
had come upon them, their amazemenl
could not have been greater than it was
with what followed.
Such an overwhelming strain Of calm,
alleclona,e, clear, and dignilied eloquence
as proceeded frum the old man, he, and
probably his companions, had never be-
fore heard. Every argument which had
been advanced against Christianity. was
fully overlhrown IIume's sophis,ry on
the subjec, Of miracles was, if possible,
more completely answered than it had
been by Campbell. And in this timely
lecture of the old man, there was so much
of honest simplicity and energy, such af-
fectionate pathos and subImily, that not
a word in reply was uttered.
1t was now a matter of deep curiosity
and wonder, who this old gentleman could
be : The first impression of the traveller
was, that it must be the preacher from
whom the pulpit eloquence had been
heard. But not was not he, nor the
blind preacher of Virginia. so cloquenhy
described by Writ: it was John Marshall,
chief justice Of the United States.
These well authenticated incidents in
the history Of great man. are surely
worthy of being reiterated; especially as
a momen,o TO the young and proud. How
many vikings of science, Intoxicated per-
haps by ga lille learning" nigh, he pro-
flied for both worlds. by investigating Ibis
all important subject with something OF
the modesly. simplicity, and patience
which ever characterized that distinguish
ed man! How many, now living compa-
ra,ively useless and aiming at nothing &C.
nervous or noble, might be preparing, like
him, to enjoy the confidence and gratitude
of their generation, and. like him, to shine
forever amongst the purest and and wisest
of celestial inlelIigences.-N. York. Jour-
Commerce.