The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-07-16
From the ". Y. Tribune.
THE DEATH OLE MIR CHQATE

Rufus Choate died at Halifax on Tuesday. the
Izth INST, few months less than 60 years old
The name of the deceased carries its own enlogy
win II. AS an advocate, as an orator, his fame is
national w hatever difference of sentiment mil hit
exist between him and others, all acknowledge the
lustre ofhis faculties and the sodty of his acouisi
lions. In the Senate ofthe United States he distin
gushed himself by able speeches In the Supreme
Court as we'll as in inferior tribunals he held the
first rank. Thoroughly master of rhetoric, opulent
to excess sometimes in the resources of language
when passion and ideality were appropriate he
was severe In his style, both as political and a le
gal speaker, when severity was required, His
statements then were marked by the closest and
plalnest language. As a jury-lawyer he was with
out superior, indeed without an equal in the coun-
try. His ability to sway the stubborn twelve was
proverbal-some of the most extraordinary and
memorable of his Oratorical points were made I'M
DER these circumstances. But nationally Mr.
Choate is best known by his orations These are
remarkable specimens of fine, sonorous diction: of
broad style; of superabundant and often exceed
lngly involved and inextricable illustration In
the use OF rhetorical figures no one ventured so far
as Mr.. Choate; no one could maintain and brine
safely to conclusion such extended sentences
Added to the native richness of his imagination was
ample scholarship. Hewas Greek student as well
as an interchangeable worker in English literature
The thorough finish of bis training was evidenced
In all he wrote. ''Style is the man. and the
style OF Mr.. Choate indicated the man; rich gen
erous nature, noble scope of intellectuaitv an
extreme degree of polish but not at the expense of
soldity. That Mr.. Choate was capable of sincere
and devoted friendship was evinced by his attach
ment to Mr.. Webster He gave way deferentiallv
to the Expounder of the Constitution; and his
words never found greater if great intensity as
when pouring forth the in naemoriam oratory over
that friend.
In person Mr.. Choate was tall, rather slender
with a dark complexion, and thought-worn face;
ordinarily it was rather serious even to sadness:
but when the fever of eloquence ragged then it was
inspired in expression. In manners Mr. Choate
was model of good breeding. No impetuosity of
defamation ever drove him the strata of vulgar
mvectve or obloquy. Unsound, fantastic and hon
est IN politics, he never had the meanness to dis
gulse or belle his opinions. Would that so much
could be said of all national names and James He
was ind-hearted, open-handed, the most affection
ate OF parents, an excellent neighbor. Young men
spoke with passionate enthusiasm of him-a good
test of magnetic, generous temperament in him
who can inspire such admiration
To Boston-to Massachusetts-to CIV England
which so cherish and exat their public men, this
will be deep sorrow. Long years of culture
the sober majesty of experience-the suasion and
music Of the orator-exhaustless Imagination and
irrefragabe logic-the ready untiring, and multi
form gifts of the advocate, the legst and the litter
ateur-these will distinguish the memory of Rufus
Choate.