Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-12-04
WESTERN ExooUENCE.
THOMAS CoRWIN.

THOMAS CoRwIN.
The Rev. JosEfH r. Turtle, Of Marietta, o.,
has contributed powerfully written article TO the
Classical Review on the subjec, of the West and
Western Eloqusnce," from which we extract the
following notice Of the Oratory of ohio's fa,orite
son, Senator CoRwis; -
The heterogeneous character Of Yves.
tern audiences opposes no ordlnar..' barrier
TO the highest success in eloquence. and
results in two marked characteristics ex.
cessive caution in abiding TO anything
calculated 10 excite prejudice in mixed
multitude, and the use of appeals founded
on principles so broad and lncontroversible
as to be usually admitted.
Whether these are favorable TO the
growth Of eloquence, lei others decide;
and yet facts stand out prominent, show
ing that vast masses OF men at the West,
have been moved by such means, as when
tempest rushes over the Calm Ocean,
stirring its lowest depths, and marshalng
the world ofwaters into con,ending waves.
An instance of this kind occurred at the
great political meeting held at Dayton,
Ohio, in the fall Of 1912, in honor OF
Henry Clay. There was tremendous en-
thusiasm when this distinguished states.
man addressed the multitudes, variously
estimated from $4,000 to 10000; but u
arose not so much from the actual power
he then exerted, as from the remembrance
of an even:ful life, crowded with splendid
achievements which now gathered their
,aurels about his head; of Course the town
was crowded fnll; and in such crowd
but little res, could be obtained during the
nigh, succeeding the meeting. The ia
tlgues of the previous day and night would
not predispose men 10 be moved by elo.
quence. There was one man, however,
conscious power 10 control men under
any circumstances. He mounted the plat
form, and at the sound Of bis trumpe,-ton-
ed voice, the multitude gathered in dense
masses around him. America on the
| highway to ruin from the constituencies
measure Of demagogues, was fine theme
for popular effect, and he manifested a
tremendous power. The fatigues Of the
barbecue we're forgotten, and all yielded
themselves to the potent incantation. At
one moment, the tears coursed down sun
burnt cheeks. and ere they had dried
would be succeeded by commissions OF
laughter. Then that ''sea OF upturned
faces" would glow with wrath, as cortup.
( ton, fraud and demagogueism we're reveal.
ed 10 them for their unqualified abhor-
renee. Then this passed away to be sue.
ceeded by the glow ofhigh-souled patriot.
Ism. The transitions were rapid aud fit.
full as spring day, and the multitude gave
evidence that the orators power was re.
sistless.
A cool Scoichman told friend, that
when Mr.. Corwin commenced his speech,
his own fatigue was so great, that he calm
| ly took his seat on the opposite side Of the
street, at some distance from the platform,
careless whether he heard the speech or
not. "But," said he Sin a very little time
found myself standing in the middle Of
The street with the crowd, like simple
ION, in perfect eciasy gazing up at the
wonderful man whose words were SUBJ
DUNG u.s."
This seems favorable opportunity 10
speak OF this gentleman, as afiordIng one
of the finest specimens Of the native Yves.
tern orator. In the remarks already
made, and those yet TO bs made, LEI me
disciaim all political bias, my only object
being to speak of orators without regard
to party. His enemies being judges,
! Thomas Corwin-now in the United
States Senate--s an eloquent man, able
to excite in his hearers Just such feelings
as hes: pleased him. A splendid compile.
ment was paid him not many years since,
IN the House of Representatives A
member from Michigan had made some
slight remarks concerning Ohio, which
called MIR. c. to his feet. He gave the
offender severe scourging; and the pro-
cess was so annihilating, that MIR. Adams
the next day alluded 20 the demolished
member as "he LATE Mr-----of
Michigan :" A retentve memory, care
full observation, calm investigation, per-
feet control OF all his knowledge, unite to
lay broad foundation for the superstruc-
ture ofeloquence. The Englishlanguage,
in all its capacities for wit, humor, ridi.
cule, pathos. passion Of every kind. and
for lifting him, as on eagle pinions, 20 the
third heaven ofpurest eloquence, is slave
10 the man. His arrows reach the heart
of every one. SO broad are the prnci. |
Piles upon which he bases his appeals, and |
so cautious is he to arouse no adverse pre-.
iudice, that he compels the assent and |
sympathies Of all. Certainly if any man
on earth be ableto make his hearers be. |
leve fully, that they do see with their
own eyes. 'that horrid monster obscuring
the sun" that man is Thomas Corwin, Of
Ohio.
Perhaps nothing contributes more 10 the
effect of his well.chosen words, than his
face, which is altogether ''nonsuch," I