Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-06-12
Phillips, the Orator.
BY A. BRONSON ALCoTT.

i remember how. IN the year 1901
after the killing of Lovejoy, at Alton
there was a public meeting in Faneui
Hall, called BY was about 10 say, The
last-Puri,an saint and preacher Of New
England, where he made speech, and
where certain States Attorney, | be-
ieve he was made speech, also, in
which he cast all manner Of ridicule up
on the martyr; and remember how a
young man took lis quiet chance to
spring to his feet and ascend the plat
form, aud pour out such a food Of elo-
quence, that / believe the poor victim
has never breathed largely and freely
since. | remember seeing him day or
two ago, walking down Colonnade Row,
where he then lived, and wondering how
he had felt ever since that day. That
was the first intimaion of the orator OF
New England All Boston was sur.
prised, and wondered who that was
They found, on inquiry, however, that he
was born well, was well bred, well edu.
Gated, and in all respects as good as they
were. OF course, that must have been
great disappointment. The difficulties
must have been very much greater,
of course, under these circumstances.
But then bis youth was against bin.
From that time TO this, steadily, from
year to year, and almost from day 10 day,
that eloquence has been making lis way
through New England and the West,
and across the water, and he stands to-
day the orator Of America, unmatched
by any preceding orator; and Ia this
respect, that he pleads for Righteousness,
he pleads for the truth always--has never
been known to be on the wrong side,
but always on the right side,-always
for the oppressed, never for the oppress-
or, So that, with one exception (and
car hardly make thaD, in New England,
in the west, and even in the national
capital itself more persons will flock to
hear that orator than any other in the
country.
He stands conspicuous above others as
the advocate of human rights, the de-
fender Of the oppressed; Freedoms
loadstar, whose lustre is leading fugitive
states and statesmen fast from their bond
age to the dark despotism, into this
refuge of liberty, here in the north Of
the North-New England. BY happy
fortune he enjoys the privileg', denied
TO senators, oil speaking for free and free
dom loving men, unincumbered by slave
statutes or caucus.
His speeches have the highest quail
ties Of great orator In range of
thought, cleainess of statement, keen sa-
tire, brilliant wit, personal anecdole,
wholesome moral sentiments, patriotism,
the puritan spirit, they are unmatched by
those Of any Ct the great orators Of the
day. They have, besides, the rare mer
it, and one in which our public men have
been painfully deficient, of straight-for-
wardness, point and truth to The hour.
They are addressed to the conscience of
the country, and were spoken in the in
terests of humanity. Many a soldier
now in the field, many citizen, doubt
less, owes his loyalty, in large measure,
to his hearing Of these eloquent words.
Above party, unless it be the honor
able and ancient party Of Mankind, they
embody the temper aad diff of the times.
How many public men are here to sur
yive in the pilory of his indignant in
vectives The history OF The last dirty
years cannot he accurately written With
out bis facts and anecdotes. There is no
reat interest Of philanthropy in which
be has not been active, Ills words are
TO be taken as those Of an earnest mind
intent on furthering the ends of truth aud
righteousness, interpreted not by rhe-
toric, bnl consistently to principles. Why
ARE they not collected aud printed in
book for the credit Of our tongue, the
praise Of humanity, and the good fame Of ;
their author
Certainly the country hangs in The ,
balance Of his argument cabinets aud
councils hesitating to do or undo witlou;
S ,ine regard to his words, wcl knowing
tue better constituency he represents, and
speaks for the PEOPLE, namely, whose
breath can unmake them as it has made.
Would you like to hear what a poet
wrote OF him great while ago? 1t may I
De that these lines have not fallen under
your eye:-
" he stood upon the worlds broad threshold I
wide:
The din Of battle and Of slaughter rose;
lie saw God stand on the weaker side,
That sunk in seeming loss before its foes.
Many there were that made great haste and sold
Unto the cunning enemy their swords,
lie seoned their gifts Of fame and power and
gold, {