Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-07-19

Rufus Choate died at Halifax on Tuesday,
The 18th inst 3 few months less than so years
old. The facts Of his career are detailed in
another column; but the greatness of bis re-
putafion. and The splendor OF bis genius ren-
der bis demise d fitting occasion for remark
here. The name of the deceased carries its
own eulogy with it. As an advocate, as an
orator, his fame is National Whatever differ
ence of sentiment might exist between him
and others. all acknowledge the luster of his
faculties and the solidity of his acquisitions.
In the Senate of the United States be distin-.
guished himself by able speeches. In the
Supreme Court as well 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
Ideally we're appropriate, be was severe in
his style, both as q political and legal
speaker. when severity was required. His
statements then were marked by the closest
and plainest language. AS jury-lawyer he
was without superior. indeed without an
equal in the country. His ability to sway
the stubborn twelve was proverbial. some of
the most extraordinary and memorable OF his
oratorical points were made under these cir
| cumstances. -
But nationally Mr.. Choate is best known
| by his orations These are remarkable speci-
mems Of fine, sonorCus diction; of a broad
| style; of superabundant and often exceeding
|
| the use of rhetorical figures no one ventured
| so far as Mr.. Choate; no one could maintain
| and bring safely to a conclusion such extend
| ed sentences. Added 10 the native richness
| OF bis imagination was ample scholarship
! He was Greek student as well as an indie
/ fatigable worker in English literature. The
| thorough finish of his training was evidenced
| in all he wrote. style is the man." and the
| style of MIR. Choatc indicated the man; a
iah mai n 10 M m
tellectualify, an extreme degree Of polish, but
| not at the expense of solidity. That Mr.
| Choate was capable of sincere and devoted
| friendship was evinctd by his. attachment to
|, Mr.. Webster. He gave way defereniially to
| the Expounder of the Constitution; aud his
words never found greater. if SO great int n
sity a. when pouring forth the IN mena0ridm
oratory over that friend.
| In person MIR. Choate was tall, rather slen
der, with dark complexion, and thought
worn face, ordinarily it was rather serious
| even TO sadness; but when the fever of elo.
| quence ragged, then it was inspired in expires
| sion. In manners, Nj. Choate was a model OF
| good breeding. No impetuosity of declama-
ton ever drove him to the strata OF vulgar
inve;tive or obloquy. Unsound, fantastic
and honest in politics, he hever had the
1 meanness to disguise or belle his opinions
Would that 20 much could be said of all Ma.
| tional names and flames! He was kind-heart.
ed, open handed, the most affeclionate of pa.
rents, an excellent neIghbor. Young men
| spoke with passionate enthusiasm of him-a
good test of a magnetic, generous tempera-
ment in him who can inspire such admira
! ton. 1
| To Boston-to Massachusetts-to New Eng
land-wbich so cherish and exalt their public
men, this will be a deep sorrow. Long years
/ Of culture-the sober majesty of experience
the suasion and music of the orator-ex-
haustless imagination and irrcfragable logic
The ready, untiring aud multiform gifts Of
the advocate, the legist and the litterateur--
these will distinguish the memory OF RUFUS
/