Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-02-14
0riginat YaPfrs.


4
Rn1Eorrox, N. u, Jan. 2sth, 1851.
Bro. GoRmAN I have recently listened
With much pleasure, TO Temperance lee
ufe by John B. Cough, Mr. Coughs
Ieputation as an orator, has become quite
and justly So The venerable
Dr.. Nott, Of Union College, New York,
has paid him a very high compliment. DIR.
Mott, Is a gentleman and scholar Of the first
order. For many years be has filed the
President chair and engaged as be is in
directing the studies Of young men, he has
necessarily had his attention turned, more
or less, to the art Of public speaking. He
is aequainted personally with many Of the
prominent American orators and he has
listened to many Of the distinguished speak
ers Of Europe. Twas told BY one Of the
Doctors students, that be had pronounced
Mr. Cough the best speaker he had ever
heard.
His power Of gaining and possessing the
attention Of his audience, is certainly very
fine. And he has the rare faculty Of sway
ing The feelings Of his hearers a good deal
afpleasure. At one time we are convulsed
by the recital Of some pleasantry (; at an
other following him in bis flight among the
stars in the regions Of untramelled thought.
In bis dissertations concerning the theme of
his lectures, and we may say bis whole life,
we feel some realizing sense Of the very
evil of intemperanee. was struck with
one thought he brought out, it was entirely
new to me- He was speaking Of the sin Of
but one single intozication. It is an act of
man own violation. He freely and with
out exterior constraint, becomes inebriated
and renders himself more or less irrational.
0fshis own free will he disfnisses his rea-
sOning power, he 50 lightly estcens it, that
he viii for ascertain period Of time dispense
Withiits suppose the 0mnipotent Jehovah
should take him at his word and condemn
him for a life time to that state Of being
what an awful existence y
Mr. Coughs address and dietion are very
good His opportunity for thorough edu-
cation was limited, and when we consider
the obstacles that obstrueted it in his early
Life, be must be considered as remarkable
man. But perhaps the best class Of men
iniAny department, law, or politics, or any
thing else, are self made men. His style
IS sgo0d, and the whole effort evinees store
of Iulormation. shoueht md ,bero,'eb
knowledge Of human nature.
There 4 an5ther thing that renders his
address not only interesting but powerful
When q kind friend would sympathize with
affection and propose remedy, he is some
times checked By therefeetion that be has
1eyur experienced that peculiar suffering.
Not so1fth John B. Gough. Unfortunate.
II he has experienced what. he pictures. =
He has himself tasted those bitter waters
the disdso Of which he urges. This causes
him 10 throw his whole soul into his arou
ment. and brings them homesto- the hear
With pathos and q force that is irresisti
be. fsa Is si1 SEQ
Since hearing him, I have been in con
versation with two gentlemen, coneernin,
the address. The question was asked-il
what consisted Mr. Coughs great strength
lmggested that il was bis following nature
He seems to discard Rhetoric and systema
ie Elocnti0n, and instead Of those sciencc
be substitutes the suggestions of nature :
The moderns pique themselves much 0
their furnishing irons. They make speaI
eEs Of any material. and much after Il
fashion Of the governness who fits out Il
young lady. giving her particular direction
how TO carry the head, how to cast the ey
how TO arrange the eolors Of her silks
sait Tie complication, how to walk. and bo
to sit, until she has msnufac,ured 4 We,
fine automaton. So eIoeutiouists teach tbe