Winchester journal. [volume] (Winchester, Indiana) 1862-1863, 1863-01-02
Written for the Journal.
L III * L I N q $
BY BRANwELL HAwoRTH.

PATRICK HENRY and RICHARD
HENRY LEE were gifted with
those shining qualities of genius
which at once dazzle and aston
ish mankind. They electrified
the old Colonial Congress by
their eloquence. Their every
word was a diamond that flash
ed and sparkled as it fell from
their lips. So deeply moved by
these extraordinary powers, were
the delegates who sat in council
with them, that the venerable
Judge Chase exclaimed, 1--WE
may as well go home-we are
not able to legislate with such
men!" Transcendent as was
their ability as orators, when
they were delegated by Congress
to prepare a written address to
the King and People of Great
Britain, they signally failed So
dull and llfeless-So wanting In
vigor oil eXpression-so destitute
was it of that fervid glow and
fire of thought that characterized
their speeches: it fell so tar be-
low the expectations their loren
sic efforts had excited, that when
it was reported to Congress, it
was, after few weak compli-
ments, laid on the table and new
er referred TO afterwards. JAY
and LIVINGSTON, plain obscure
men, possessing none of those
powers of speech that electrify
and thrill an assembly, took up
the pen which was dull and pow
erless in the hands of a LEE and
HENRY, and inspired it with such
a genius of pathos and beauty,
that it brought forth an address
worthy the memorable occasion
that demanded it. Lee and Hen,
~ were both thinkers and talk
ers, but to do either, they needed
an occasion to inspire them.
Then they thought with the ra-
pidity Of the lightning, and as
they spoke they flung a glow up
on the "lengthened landscape" "
for momen. all was light,
then came might aud profound
est gloom" All eyes saw the
bright and well defined outline
OF the landscape, bat tie flash
was so radiant, 80 vivid, so rap
lid that the mind while it retain
ed the impressions. could not ac-
curately describe it The orator
to be FULLY appreciated must he
heard. Tor the human mind is un-
able to transmit to others the
electrical warmth conmunlca-
ted By he speaker 10 it. Jay and
Livingston were thinkers only.
They moved slowly bat with
power and grandeur. They did
not carry tie humln m.nl by
storm, did not arouse the pas
Slons by vehement and impas-
stoned defamation, but they be
leged human reason il It's eta
del AMI while il sat upon It's
throne, and captivated 1t by the
cogency OF their arguments, and
by The irresistible logic OF traih.
have taken these men rs an IL
tration. because they represent
different but equal types OF tai
ent. They were equal but dis
similar. Nature, to keep up its
law o equality, has decreed that
he who would have great genius,
must take it united with some
counterbalancing iniirmity. Pa
to, referring TO this same law,
saws, "Great parts produce great
vices as well as virtues" 1t has
been wisely ordered, that he who
excelS all others in some part Gu
lar art. science, trade or proies.
sion, falls generally below all
others in everything else. But
| cannot dwell here.
However much we NAV differ
upon minor points, the great
truth is universally conceded,
that the human mind is susceptI
bic of indefinite improvement.
Learning but increases the ca
pacity to learn. In this respect,
rs in every other, God demands
that man shall untold, exercise
and improve his highest powers.
None need attempt excuslng
themselves by saying that cir
cumsiances prevent them from
making the effort. All that man
requires is Faith. The skeptic
only, fails. Obstacles however
formidable are swept from the
.L &c him u,ho WI IL