Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-09-03


In the midst of silence, he commenced a
speech, which we have not set down to
describe, nor did we attend with the expec-
tation Of being able to do so. 1t is sufi~
Gent to say, that Notwithstanding the great
disadvantages under which he labored, he
bore himself worthy of his fame, and held
his audience enchanted for three hours and
half. Several times was he compelled to
desist, and beg the indulgence Of his hear
ers for a few moments, in which to recruit
bis falling strength, and for portion of the
while he was compelled to speak sitting,
but not an evidence of firing or WEAKNESS
+ did we observe in any portion of the crowd,
though many and urgent were the requests
which reached him from the more consider
ate, that be would stop, in justice to him
self. There were frequent bursts of elo-
quence from him, spontaneous and impro-
vised, which we never heard equalled either
in beauty or for the electrifying effect
produced upon the listeners. In the last
half hour of his speech, he seemed to have
gained new lease Of strength, and poured
forth torrent of thoughts, profound and
solid in themselves, and ''richer than fine
gold" in the gorgeous language in which
he dressed and delivered them. We heard
it frequently remarked by those who heard
him for the first time, that if he was capa-
BILE Of such things when sick and shaken
with chills, what could he not do in the
vigor of health.
Gen. Haskell is not of that school of
public speakers, aptly denOminated by him.
self, peunyaOhistIe politicians, who deliver
from day to day, through all "their dull
unVarying round" stereotyped speech,
composed of scraps culled from duSt-covered
records, and patched and strung together,
and dignifed with the title of argument,
only rendered staler at intervals by the
clumsy introduction of thread-bare smile,
or a tastelesS and tawdry figure of speech
He rises into the empyrean of thought and
philosophy, and reaches the "height of a
great argument" and his embellishments,
which are not too prOfuse to impair the
soldity of his speeches, are classic and
chastely misunderstanding spray from the
copious fountains of his fancy, or vivid
pictures from a true poetic Imagination
These qualities combined with correct
style, and mien and gesticulation, which
speak themselves, make him an orator in the
Demosthenean sense of the term.
1t is unnecessary to add that the effect
of such a demonstration and effort was
most fine. We assuredly never witnessed
so happy a result. Every American face
was lit with smiles, and the street corners
were studded with groups discussing the
merits of the speech, and the prospects of
the good cause, which was the burthen of
its argument. 1t has kindled a fire among
the Americans of this city which will spread
in every direction throughout the State,
and will terminate i'm blaze of victory,
which will light up every hilltop and valley
in Tennessee.
Though still feeble and PROSTATE with
chills and fever, Gen. Haskell left on the
five o'clock Chattanooga train of yester-
day, to be present at the great ground
swell at Knoxville on Thursday, after
which we trust he will rest until his health
is recruited.