The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1859-07-21
Ruru. te-APen-Portrait.


For many years, as member of both
branches of the Massachusetts, Legislature
and both Houses Of Congress, Mr.. Choate
was engaged in public life; and since the
death Of Daniel Webster, he. has stood at
the head Of New England orators. Some of
his Congressional speeches are worthy of
his high reputation but his political career,
as a whole, was not success. At the Bar,
his transcendent abilities found their fullest
scope, and his numerous and unrivalled eff
forts there win be the basis Of his solid and
enduring fame. He will have his place in
history US leading statesman, but as
the greatest advocate, rhetorician and foren-
sic orator Of modern times. -a
We append graphic picture Of his sp-
pearance AT the bar, written by A. ID. Rich
ardson, Esq, of Boston, who was present
during the famous Dalton divorce trial some
years since. The account may seein extrav-
agant and hyperbolical, to those who hare
not listened to the highest efforts vi the
great masters of oratory; but TO those who
have heard Mr.. ChOate when inspired by
an important cause, the following will sp-
pear only as simple narrative Of the ef-
fccts Of his enchanting powers of eloquence
We are in the court room You see that
thin, nervous-looking man who has just en-
Tered, and stands by the table arranging his
papers. Notice how his hand shakes, as il
he had the palsy; his step, too, is little
uncertain, for he is approaching the sere and
yellow leaf of life; though ne has not yet
reached his sixtieth year, and his thin, cur
ly hair is still black as jet. Were il not
for the intellectual EXPRESSION of his pale
face, you would take Em for a ma. who
had . lived fast i--perhaps an old steamboat
captain, whose vital energies we're wasted
by irregular hours, bad whisky, foul tobac-
co, and nameless ct ceteras, in which men,
bers Of that fraternity sometimes indnlge.
! But, on closer inspection, you detect a re-
markably acute expression OF countenancc; :;
the mouth shuts like vice; aud from un-
der the heavy, oyerhaneing hrOws, an eagle
eye looks out upon you. II is Rufus Choate,
the great forensic orator OF New England.
The court is opened, aud he rises 10 conf
mence his plea. In low, tremulous, mu-
sical voice, he inpres.es the twelve solid
men before him with the responsibility of
their position. Then passing to the case, he
INDUCES in no invectiye, but, on the contra
~, claims with great ingenuity that, in
pleading the innocence of Mrs. Dalton, he
is advocating the cause of both parties;
/ that If twelve unbiased men pronounce her
! faithful, IL will be the greatest kindness to
both, and restore her to the arms and heart
OF her husband. Then he turns la the young
wife, and draws touching picture of her
spotless childhood, the hopes that clustered
around her so lately, and her present forlorn
condition. Admitting that she had been
inprndent, vain, frivolous, he claims that
:here was no actual guilt and in a very del
uge OF pathos, which moistens many eyes
unused 10 thr neltiug mood, hc imporeS
. Ler Judges, ia Ilie absence of the strongest
aud muSi absolute proof uol 20 send her
follh with the scarlet letter branded on her
girii.l hrow-ber whole future 70 be way
/ laid by temptation aud darkened by DIS
( honor. .# A.It'.a
Now he takes up the testimony, and you
find time to analyze his style. The moter-
alton OF utlerance has disappeared, and his
. WOTuS are pOuft0 iOIlu Win "a GaDlultl
which no photographer on earth could fol-
low for half an hour. And such words :
''wells of English, pure and undefled, -.
sentence after sentence = fantastic, but
smooth, solid and perfect as the best masters
OF English literature-strong as Webster,
and elegant as Eyerett--not word want
ing or misplaced, not single hesitation, or
broken train of thought, There is no strain
ing, or apparent effort of memory but
( while the auditors are watching his every
movement with eager, almost breathless,
anxiety, this wonderful man goes on-right
On-as ii il were the merest boys play to
>him- He ievies tribute for illustration from
Art Nature, and Sciencc-new thought
from Shakespeare, then = line from Virgil,
and again, figure from the homeliest at
tiiirs oil daily life .HAo
" He makes the most thorough work at
every stage, admits great deal anticipates