The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-11-16
For the Freeman.
Legislative Debaters.

In the House we mlsseu SOult Vi Tue OIutbI utUd-
:ers of last year, but their places were supplied
and perhaps filled, by others of no uncomfortable
merit. One of the strong men who was a men,
Der last year, and was again returned this year,
was for real, effective speaking, which carries its
point and gains votes, the leading man of the
House. There were more eloquent men in the
House than Mr.. Chandler of Woodstock but none
who could carry point with the members, and
pro(,uce conviction in their minds, better than he.
His speeches were Short and had, as his speeches
always have, the appearance of being unpremedi-
tated. His sentences which carry conviction, are
those which Sc EN- to come from the inspiration of
the subject. 1t is his enthusiasm and earnestness
which prevail, and he has done very much to shape
the course Of legislation during the session, by
brief remarks at Just the right time, and IN just
the right spirit, which attract no special attention
at the time, but tell when the vote is taken. His
chief deficiency is lack Of voice end physical en- r.
gy, to express fully the energy Of his mind, yet as
it is, he is an effective aud very able speaker.
Among those who speak eoquently, but not al
ways with fleet, was Mr., Wheeler OF South Hero.
Gifted with more than an ordinary command of
lacks that eaInesress Of manner which produces
conviction. We are personally inclined to con-
cede &c the gentleman from South Hero, much
greater degree Of sincerity, than appears in bis
style as a speaker The impression that he is
of an earnest spirit, grows upon ciuaintance,
but casual observer would judge him 10 be am
bilious Of distinction orator, and inclined to
gain the personal mastery Of his audience, rather
than to impress them with the importance of his
subject In listening to Mr.. Chandler we think
of his subject only, in listening to Mr.. Wheeler
we have at least a part of our attention drawn of
from the subject to the gentleman from South
Hero. While Mr. Wheeler is man of talent he
is deficient in earnestness of manner, ard hence
often fes to produce conviction.
Mr.. Woodward of Westiord had no compet
tor upon The floor of the House that could exec
him for single passages of vehement and effective
eloquence. An occasional passage however is no
sufficient to establish reputation. While ever,
one sympathised with him as most sincere, hoL
orable and eloquent man, he failed to convince
the judgment of his hearers. 1t was felt tina
the heart and all the impulses of the man were
right, but that he would not be a safe guide il
deciding any difficult matter. No Drawer or NOR
noble man stood upon the floor than he, yet Their
were men Of closer Judgment more EXTENDED
and better knowledge OF the matters to DO acte
upon, and of greater intellectual power, and thes
men he failed to convince.
Mr.. Deane OF Cavendish, holding the position
of Chairman of the Committee on Ways AM
Means, had no uncomfortable influence as a rem
Der. His style as speaker was that of on
who harangues rather than calmly addresses a
audience. There is however more Of vehemeno,
in the manner than 10 the ,oords Of his hsrangue
When as chairman OF the committee he present
ed facts, they of course carried weight with them
and when he made assertions they received pre-
cisey the weight which bis standing as ma
gave him. His strong point however is not a
an orator. SO far as he has power in this dret
ton, it lies in simple, direct, forcble assertions
The inapplicability of the style of delivery
the matter of the speech and The words emplo,
ed, was most fully exempifed in the speaking
Mr.. Dorr of Rutland. While there was ofte
real merit in bis speeches, they we're much iuju
ed by lofty style Of delivery wholly iucompat
BILE with the subject. His tones we're always tt
tones of tragedy. A avorite method with biz
is to rise to a very high note and then to drop
scarcely audible whisper. His thoughts al
however very clearly arranged and in logi'al o
der, and redeem TO some extent his peculiar sty
of delivery. His words and ideas are often wegl
ty but not so tragcally startling as to justify h
manner of altering them.
MIR. White of Coventry is peculiarly at hon
in all matters of historical nature, and hem
his statements in such matters often threw ne
light upon questions which seemed to the men
bers to have been already cxha asted. Mr.. White
manner of speaking is pleasing but he lacks
force and dignity. 1t is the nature of the m
% look at aspects of subjects, rather than to lo
he subjects themselves in their toality lie c.
take the historical view Of a subject or the nor
view of subject, but does not strike the prop
balance and so get the best general view that CT
be taken, and thereby reach with certuinty sa
conclusion. His mind is penetrating and ucceet