The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-04-08
Pt.ck.~y a.a The.. Aaat. Rm..~,,.

The knickerbocker has the following an
ecdote of the two eminent persons named
above. Where sarcasm, invective and severity
of denunciation are regarded as the character
istics Of eoquence, the lesson which the sub
joined narrative conveys may operate as a useful
corrective:
ave do not know when we have encounter
ed a more forcible exempihcation Of the truth,
that "a soft answer turneth away wrath than
is afforded in the ensuing anecdote. On one
occasion in the Supreme Court Of the U. States
the eloquent Irish exile, Mr.. Emmett, and the
distinguished orator, Mr.. Pinckney, were on OPP
posite sides, in an important cause, and one in
which the latter had much at heart In the
course Of his argument he travelled out Of the
cause to make observations, personal and ex-
tremely offensive on Mr.. Emmett, with a view
probably Of irritating, and W eakening his reply.
Mr.. Emmett sat quiet and endured IL all. Il
seemed TO have sharpened his intellect, without
having Irritated his temper. When the argu-
ment was through, he said, perhaps he ought TO
notice the remarks Of the opposite counsel, but
this was a species Of warfare in which he had
the good fortune 10 have little experience, and
one in which he never dealt. tie was willing
his learned opponent should have all the advsn-
tage he promised himself from the display of his
country he was a stranger, and was happy TO
say that from the bar generally, and the court
universally, he had experienced nothing but po-
likeness, and even kindness. lie believed the
court would do him the justice 10 say, that ne
had said or done nothing in this cause 10 merit a
different treatment. He had always been accus-
toned TO admire and even reverence the learn
ing and eloquence Of Mr.. Pinckney, and he was
the last man from whom he should have expect
ed personal observations of the sort the court
had Just witnessed. He had been in early life
taught by the highest authority, not to return
railing for railing. lie would only say, that he
had been informed that the learned gentleman
had filled the highest Office his country could be.
stow at the court Of st. James. He was very
sure that he had not learned his breed Dg in that
school.
"The court and the bar were delighted for
Mr.. Pinckney was apt TO be occasionally little
too overbearing. When We take into consider
alton the merit Of resistance against the natural
impulse Of a warm Irish temperament, we must
admire still more the manner adopted by Mr..
Emmett. Mr.. Pinckney, as we gather from
Wheaton's Life Of that gentleman, afterwards
rendered the most ample and generous apology.
The manner said he, 'in which Mr.. Emmett
has replied, reproaches me by its forbearance
and urbanity, and could not fail 10 hasten the
repentance, which reflection alone would have
produced, and which am glad 10 have SO pub
lie an occasion Of avowing. offer him gra-
tuitous and cheerful atonement; cheerful be-
cause il puts me TO rights with myself, and be-
cause il is rendered not to ignorance and pre-
sumption, bu; to the highest worth, intellect,
and morals, enhanced by such eloqusnce a. few
may hope to equal; to an interesting stranger
whom adversely has tried, and affection struck
severely to the heart; TO an exile whom any
country might be proud to receive, and every
man Of generous temper would be ashamed 10
Offend Now bitter retort from Mr. Emmett,
in the first place, might have engenGsrsd enn,i,y
a the breasts Of these two great men. which |
you'd have expired only with their lives" !