Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-07-24

FROM SOUTHAMPTON (MAss.) COURIER.
Thursday last will be talked of for long come, in
this region the time of great intellectual conflict Daniel
Webster and Rufus Choate opposed each other in the
argument of important cause each having for his object
satisfy twelve that the other drew wrong conclusions from
given premises. The hronged with strangers and
the few who crowded themselves into the courtroom
acquired knowledge of the capaby of the human frame
to bear compression Not only did the presiding Judge per-
init the judicial bench TO be occupied but observed at the
windows the heads Of persons standing ladders placed with
Such intense interest to witness purely intellectual
exhibition brought mind the gatherings of the old Athenans
to listen to their poets and orators.
The heirs at law of Oliver Smith attempted to set aside his
will on the ground that of the subscribing witnesses was
competent attest it by of insanity. OF those
present who had frequently heard Mr. Choate o counsel for
the hes all agreed that this Of his very best efforts
The large amount property involved ar greater than that
ordinarily accumulated out Of large Cities the great number
of those who looking the defeat of the will a
Of future wealth and independence to themselves and the
painful necessity of showing the insanity Of most interesting
young man. whose personal appearance the wnesstand
this trial engaged the sympahes of every who heard
him testify all combined call forth the whole powers
Mr.. Choates mind Out of materials somewhat scany he
built up most complete and mastery argumen-clohed in
words so beautiful and appropriate and filled with
ing cogent that every believed that nothing
could have been said thought Of by the cenre
There fact shown in large Of estimo-
n.y. however slight in ITSELF that not pressed into the
vice. either 10 give strength TO his argument at least to be
appear not 10 weaken 10 De great
y regretted that no senogapher present preserve
admirable specimen Of American bar oratory. We shall
be thought extravagant by those who heard it when
that, in judgment, there nothing finer per-
feet in the published bar-speeches Of Lord Erskine.
The argument of Mr.. Webster marked with that won
defu ceansss Of and broad grasp of his whole
subject which characteristic Of the But his
strong the testimony and the opinion Of the audience
that the verdict most be gwen his client manifest
that he had occasion task his great powers put
forth bis full strength his calm and familiar of his
probably the effective reply the eloquent and
touching appeals Of his opponent We do not mean to say
that he used eoqucnce When he alluded to the witness
whose insanity attempted to I've proved the grandson Of
Chief Justice Parsons and expressed his hopes and his belief
that he had been restored great emotion visible in the
audience. Even lawyers who went hither to crcse and
be instructed artists, way to the luson and for
got observe how it produced No one could hear him
without being impressed with the of his intellect
We believe that there have been but few occasions when
these great minds have been aayed against each other
opposite sides Of Our fancy pictured to De-
noshenes and Eschnes We noticed number of eminent
men, cegymen and Others among the audience. So to all
who desired to observe how great neecs facts mate
rails for arguments, this opportunity the like Of which
will not recur. 8.