The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-06-08

hiOquonce.
Eloquenee in its highest fights is beyond all cues.
iion the greatest exerion OF the human mind 1t
ques for its conception combination oil The most eN
allied facaes-ior its execution union OF The most ex
Iraordlnary powers Unite in thought the most varied
aud dsomilar faculties OF the soul-srenKth OF unuer'
standing with briancy OF imag naton IRE oil cohcrp
uon with soidity OF judgment reieniiyc memory WIN
an enthusiastic fancy The warmth OF poetry WIN lhs
GOODNESS of prose Tor the beauties or Nature WIN
command OF the realities OF LIE a mind Stored win
facts. and heart teemng with impressohs-and you
will form the elements from which the most powefini
style OF oralory 10 be created But this ID not all
Physical powers II not essential are at least great ah-
duon 10 the mental qualities required Tor ITS success
The orator have at once the Heightened thought
which IS requisite for prolonged argument and Inc
ready wit which turn TO the best advantage any IN
cdent which may occur IN the course OF lis delivery
More than all Is required the hxy OF purpose the en-
ergy IN effort the commanding turn, which as II is the
most valuable and important faculty OF the mind, SO u
the most rarely to be met with in any walk OF te and least
of all in combination with the brilliant and imaginative
qualities which the very soul OF every art which
10 subdue captvate mankind.
Ii is not surprising that the art OF the orator should re-
qure for lis highest fights combination OF quail
lies for OF all the efforts OF the human mind II is the
most astonishing in its nature and the most lranscendent
in It's immediate triumphs. The wisdom OF the pboso-
pher, the Sequence OF the historian the sagaciy OF The
statesman, the capacity OF The general, may produce
more lasting effects upon human AFFAIRS but they are
ncompaaby less rapid IN their influence, and less nox
icatlng from the ascendency they confer In the solitude
OF his library the sage melates the truths which
to influence the thoughts and direct the conduct OF mea
in future lines amidst the strife OF faction the legislator
discerns he calculated, after long OF
years. 10 alleviate existing evils produce happiness
yet unborn; during long and wearisome campaigns the
commander throws his shield the fortunes OF his
country and prepares IN silence and amidst obloqGy the
means of maintaining its independence but The tr-
umphs OF the orator immediate his influence is in
stantly felt his, and his alone, it is
The applause Of listening senates TO command,
The threats OF pain and ruin TO despise-
To scatter plenty DER smiling land,
And read his history in a nation's eyes.
To stand up before vast assembly composed OF men
OF various passions habits and prepossessions; to
cilale their feelings by the art and carry away their
judgment by the eloquence OF the orator. TO every
gaze at length turned hrs counienance, and every
intent on the words which drop from his lips to see in
difference turn int, excitement and aversion melt away
amidst enthusiasm 10 hear tbunders OF applause at the
close of every sentence, and behold the fire OF enhus
asm kindled IN every eye, as each successive idea is
brought forth; and 10 think that all this the creation OF
the moment and has sprung eIiemp0re from The ador OF
his conceptions and the inspiration they have derived
from W hat passes around him, IS perhaps the greatest
triumph of the human mind and that in which Its divine
origin and immortal destiny are most clearly revealed
1t is lbe magnitude of the combination requisite Tor its
greatest Efforts which renders eloqnence OF the otilest
kind so extremely among mankn II is less ire
quen than the highest lights IN epic or dramatic poetry
Greece produced three grea, raeedans but only one De-
moshenes Cicero stands alone to sustain by his sing lie
strength The lame oil Roman oraloy. Antiquity could
not boast OF more than five or six persons who by the
common consent OF their contemporaries had attained
the highest rank in forensic eoquence: il is doubtful II
modern times could count as many-as many, we mean
who have attained the very highes, place IN thus noble
and dhcult art for doubtless, The second Glass; great
numbers OF 10 be found and in the third their
legion 1t not meant to be asserted that great
temporary fame and influence by eloquence may not be
aud often has been acquired by persons who are deficient
in many of the qualities above enumerated required 10
form a perfect orator. Without doubt, bnlancy OF ge.
MUS will often, for passing effect compensate the want
OF solidty OF judgment, and fire of Imagination make
us for the moment forget squeaking voice. dmnutve
figure, unganly counteuance No one, at times,
commanded The attention Of the House OF Commons more
small, and his voice weak and painfully shril But
great earnesness OF will and banCy Of fancy
CURED 10 compensate such defects and persuaded
that none will readily admit the justice of these OBJ
servaons than those who have aboed under, and. by
their powers, IN a certain degree surmounied them,
As little is 1t intended 10 assert that vast influence may
not be acquired and unbounded celebrity for the lime OBJ
tained not merely without the cooperation of such va
RED and extensive qualities, but by the aid many
of the As temporary influence not lasnl
fame, the immediate and chief end OF oratoty its sty
be adapted 10 The prevailing cast OF mind, and
ling interests or passions, OF tue persons TO whom IL il
addressed and as will share in elevation OF sentiment
if that is their characteristic, il will be defomed hy
vulgarty sehshness when they vulgar and selfish
il common ing that speaker must descend TO the
level of his audience, If he TO command their sui
ages enlist their passions; and have only to look
around TO how often, assemblages OF inferior
interested impassoned character, the highest celebrity
not only have exhibited few OF the qualities Of refined
orator, hut who have sudiousy concealed those which
they did possess and secretly despsed IN their hearts hi
laus to which their triumphs had been owing But this II
no more than is the with all the arts which aim
Influencing charming mankind. The theatre, the
mancepoelry itse-share at tunes in the same degrade
dalton.