Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-11-17

Legislative Debaters.

FL The freeman
Legislative pebaters,
The deblten who took part in discussing i'm
porlant questions before the recent session Of the
Legislature are worthy Of at least passing notice.
In the House we missed some Of the Oldest deba-
-ers Of lost year, bot their places we're supplied
and perhaps filed, by others Of no uncomfortable
merit. One Of the strong men who vas mem.
Der last year, aud was again returned this year,
was for real, effective speaking, which carries s
point and gains votes the leading man of the
House. There were more eloquent men 10 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 be-
His speeches were short, and had, as his speeches
always have, the appearance Of being unpremed-
lated. His sentences which carry conviction, are
those which seem TO come from the inspiration Of
the subject. l. Is his enthusiasm and esrnestness
which prevail and he has done very much to shape
the course of legislation during the session. by
brief remarks at Jus, the right time, and in lust
the right spirit, which attract no special attention
at TIE time, but tell when the vote IS taken. His
chief deficiency is lack Of voice and physical en,r.
gy, to express fully the energy Of bis mind yet as
it is, he is an effective and very able speaker.
Among those who speak eoquently but not al
ways with effect, was Mr. Wheeler Of South Hero.
Gifted with more than an ordinary command Of
language, and with decided oratorcll powers, he
lacks that earnestLess Of manner which produces
conviction. We are personally inclined to con.
cede tc the gentleman from South Hero, much
greater degree Of sincerity than appears in hi,
s,y as a SPEAKER. The impression that be is a
man OF an earnest splfit grows upon acquaintance,
but casual observer would Judge him 10 be am.
bilious Of distinction as an orator. and inclined to
gain the personal mastery Of lis audience, ritber
than to impress Them with he Importance Of hi,
subject In listening to Mr. Chandler we think
o. bis subject only, in listening to Mr. Wheeler
VI have at leasta 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 10 eatnestness Of manner, and hence
often biIs to produce conviction.
Mr., Woodward Of Wes,ord had no compeli.
tor upon The floor Of the House that could excel
him for single passages Of vehement and effective
el5quence. An occasional passage however !, mol.
sufficient to establish reputation. While every
one sympathised with him as a most sincere, hon
orabIe and eloquent man, be failed to convince
the Judgment Of bis hearers 1t was Eel, tina,
the heart and oil the impulses Of the man were
right, but that he would not be safe guide in
deciding any difficult matter No drawer or more
noble man stood upon The floor than he, vet there
were men OF closer Judgment, more extended
and better knowledge Of the matters to be acted
upon, and of greater intellectual power, and these
men he failed to convince.
Mr.. Deane OF Cavendish holding the position
of Chairman Of the Committee on Ways and
Means, had no ineonsidenbe influence as mem.
Der His style as speaker was that of one
who baraugues rather than calmly addresses an
audience There is however more Of yehemen,e
in the manner than IN the words Of his hanupue.
When as chairman OF the committee he present,
ed facts, they Of course carried weight with them.
and when be made assertions they received pre.
eisely the weight which his standing a, man
gave him His strong point however is not "a
an orator So far a, he has power in this direc.
ton, it lies in simple, direct, iorcbe assertions
The inapphoability of the style of delivery to
the matter Of the speech and he words empoy.
ed, was most fully exempliftd in the speaking Of
Mr.. Don Of Rutl and. While there was often
resl merit in bis speeches, they we're much inur.
ed by lofty style Of delivery wholly incompati
BILE with the subject. His tones we're always the
tones of tragedy. A hvorte method with him
is to r'e TO very high note and then to drop IN
scarcely audible whisper. His thoughts ara
however very clearly arranged and in Logical or.
der, and redeem TO some extent bis peculiar silvia
Of delivery. Ills words and ideas are often WEIGH.
v but not so ragicllIy startling as to Justify hi,
manner Of altering them.
Mr. White Of Coventry is peculiarly a, home
in all matters Of a historical nature, and hence
his statements in such matters often threw nav
light upon questions which seemed to the mem.
ber' to Lave been already exhausted. Mr.. White,
manner Of speaking is pleasing but he lacks in
force and dignity. 1t i, the nature of the man
look at aspects Of subjects, rather thao 10 look
the subjects themselves in their toiay Ileoon
take the historical view Of subject or the nora
view Of subject, but does not strike the prop,r
oalnc' ana SO get the best general view ,ha, can
&c taken, and thereby reach with certainty safe
conclusion ll' mind Is penetrating aud succeed,
IN 'p'cialies better than in general views III,
excellence "A an orator 4. Ia. II II a