The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-07-15


telegraph died at Halifax, N. 8 at halepaa two O'Clock
on wednesday morning last Of dseAse Of the heart 1t
Is presumed that his illness was the climax OF general
debility with which he has been afflicted for years
Mr. Choate sailed for Liverpool, for the benea, OF bis
health In the steamer Europa from Boston, on the 10Th
ut, accompanied by At tho time Of starting no
felt doubtful Of his ability to proceed and designed to
stop at Hall should fatigue OF the journey prove
onerous His surmaes proved too true yet. though he
quito feeble, bis friends not at fest seriously
alarmed. He passed comfortable day Taes1ay, but
EXPIRED II would seem suddenly, Wednesday, at two
AN
Mr.. Choste was one OF the most talented men which
this country has produced. and decided man OF
msk Of the present day He was nearly sixty years OF
age at the time Of his death, having been born at
Ipswich, Massachusetts, In October, 1890 He edu-
Gated In Dartmouth College, whence he graduated
In 1919, and subsequently he became a u
tor IN that institution. This situation, however,
though he ed Il with marked ability, he abandoned for
the study Of the Law at Cambridge University. bis
des-or at least the foundation work enable him
admitted-were completed at office in Salem, Macs and
In 1924 In the town OF Danvers the State,
commenced 10 practice. His indomtsbe energy dc
cided ability at attracted tho attention Of his felo
citizens, and the next year he elected member Of
the State legislature where his procured for him
be elected to the state Senate and by persevc-
rance briancy in debate and keen sagacty stand
as one of the leaders Of that able body Five years after
in 1sa2he elected from Essex district member
OF Congress- and took his sc ~ In that body having
to the dignity Of national legislator the Of
eight years from the period of commencement Of the
practice Of his profession.
Had he chosen make politics study-or at least m
ambiton-there be telling to what eminence he
night have reached perhaps he might have attained
the Presidency. But he seemed singulary free from
political aspirations, aud in 1884 declined re cleo
ton 10 his seat, which freely profiered him
In the last named year he removed to Boston
assuming dstns ushed position and lucrative
well extensive practice in his profession
His success lawyer marked aud his pc xer oves
iures became proverbal in where at rs his
cases appeared eplorRble and inevitably lost
On the retirement OF the "Sage Of Msrshed from the
Senate there could DO found none hitting THAI Mr.
Choate 10 wear his MANTLE and he elected
cant seat IN lS4l AS member Of the then great wing
party-the conservative body OF the day-he assumed
leadership and distinguished himself in hs Jealous ad
yocacy OF the whig Of protective Tariff and
cheap postage. Bis speeches annexation the tariff OF
1872 and ether vexed questions Of that day. were market
by dazzling brlllancy, well vim and convincing
argument which have rarely exoeed ia that forum
Of American eloquence.
Mr.. Choate has been termed the Brougham of America
not on account Of bis metaphysics philosophy but
his real eoquence-even inspired han that Of the
English lord. His manner in speaking animated in
the extreme. His deep eet piercing black eyes would
glow with an almost unearthy fire. and his long unkempl
wavy black hair would TO stand out like
"quis on the frefu porcupue as each particular
hair had become charged with the electric fluid Some.
times he would walk from end Of platform 10 ano
ther along vacant space in front jury his cada
verous, haggard wrinked face and tall gaunt form Civ
ing him a most impressive appearance. Occasionally
the violence Of his gestCulAons would lead to serious
apprehensOns that he would either a leap into the
middle Of the ROOM perform some other such accro
baiic feat.
The power Of his eloquence was, a. we have stated
most remarkable He had as IL were beautiful gallery
Of pictures the walls Of his i'm sgnaon, and with n
astonishing command Of words Ut was said he always
carried dictionary in pocket), retentve memory ex
tended reading and eccentric manner, he commanded tn
wrapt attention Of his hearers, however trivial the SUB
ject might be- peang forth, in clear, sonorous vocs
volumes CT eloquence In single sentence
In this latter popularity he quite remarkable Some
OF his sentences small craions themselves He has
actually been known TO speak ordinary occasion
single sentence the report Of which occupied half CO
lum of a Boston newspaper. Yet. though amile
in with hardly moment 10 catch breath, the whole
when finished formed clear explicit lucid, gramma
classical structure which the incest critic might vanly
sssa On one OCCASION before Massachusetts, Ssuate
where he employ cd behalf Of railroad COMPANY
to argue in favor o. be adopted only
two miles apart held the Senate and crowd OF eager
listeners enchaned by the fire Of his eoquence-even
that dry subecfor hours The impression lett upon
those who Eeard that wonderful effort had little with
the merits OF the railroad question: but decidedly
the effect that Mr. Choate mad made excellent speech
Perhaps this latter effect was the result of his pest efforts
On one eccason in celebrated bank case after
hao made lengthy argument, Of the Jurors wac
asked by gentleman what be thought OF aavocsteS
The reply was that be was great man. on yes good
much OF what was said because he afraid the lear oed
council was gong to throw hmseH into the jury box.n
another gent eman remarked of him, "He is the very
Niagara Of eoquence, WITH the silver spray the eugent
glow and the roaring waters gureng and foAmng through
a channel Of rocss." His speeches. abound 10
classic illusions, rambling through Herod, Homer
Virgil, Voltaire, SHAKESPEARE and Milton. Hts sarcastic
ability notorious and 10 the unfortunate counsel
who uno ertook TO get laugh him His mpetuosity
terrible, often carried him through difficulties,
and past even blenders which would have a@amped any
other man His irpusveness intense, As ad-
yoca'e he was undoubtedly successful, and powerful al
though have bad numbers Of sounder lawyers His eo
quence would hardly allow the nearer time for cool
reflection.
One of Mr. Cboates eycentrices was his hierogyphic
handwriting, which few buI himself, and oftenumss
he, could oecipner On OF the delivery
OF his famous euiogy Daniel Webster IN July 1858,
fore the faculty., Students and OF Dartmouth Col
ege reporter for HERALD despatched TO procure
for ua the Grafton Upon arriving on the ground he
informed thst Mr. Cnpa,e would willingly furnish his
manuscript and therefore cid not trouble himself
70 take notes Of the address Upon receiving the
manuscript he at first Of the opinion
that the orator had accidentally given him q
Greek, Hebrew or Egyptian manuscript. But beng
sured that such was notthe CASE and after repeated al
tempts failing to find who could decpher the docu
meDt drner resort was mace to the orator Of the day.
be- however, felt little confidence IN his ability and
suggested the proprety of sending for former amanu
eDs Of his, resoing about fifty miles distant which
actually done, and that beautiful production was pre-
sented to pcstcry. The opening Of 1t cha
rsc,ersc Of Mr.. Choate that cannot avoid inserting
here-
It would be q strange neglect of beautiful and ap
proved custom of the schools Of learning and Of Of
the pous and appropriate of the offices Of literature
the college In which the intellectual lie Of Daniel Web
ster began and to which hs name impers charm and H.
usra,ion should give formal expression TO her grief
in the sorTow sne not draw near, one
OF the ead The procession Of the bereaved to the
tomb at the eea Dor find In her classic shades one aec
tomato and grateful leaf 10 Set in the garland with which
they have bound the brow Of her child the mghtest de-
parted.
IN al r. NJ