The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-12-19

There is no function of eloquence, whether
with the tongue or pen, which is more gene
rally popular than that Of inyective. OF every
species of eloquence it seems to be the most
attractive part, except the eloquence of the
pulpit, where, though sometimes used, it is
revolving to good taste and the most ordinary
sense of Topriety. The pulpit is commits
stoned to preach peace and good will and
when the howl of the wolf is heard from under
the clothing of the sheep, there are few, how
ever fond Of the trnculent, who are not
shocked. Divines who infuse into their polem-
les personal bitterness and denunciation
might learn wisdom from the Athenian priest
ess, who refused to anathematiZe ALCIBIADEs
" because it was her duty to implOre blessings,
and not to pronounce excavations" Nor in
any species Of eloquence does invective add to
the Influence Of an Grafton, save when exerted
aSainst wrong, wickedness, and folly, and then
it must be justly proportional to the object of
its apprehension. 1t is great mistake, made
b. various imita tors Of JrNIUs in composition
and the ancient orators in speech, that severity
is a proof Of independence and ill nature of
wit; or that even sarcasm, when welded in a
Morose or savage spirit, is al efficient instru-
ment. and increases the influence of him who
uses It. In truth, it does no such thing. 1t is
powerful weapon, but when often and need
lessly employed, it loses its capacity of terror,
As do pestilence, storms and wars, when they
become objects of frequent occurrence; and
when employed against virtue and justice, its
keen edge is turned like that Of an axe upon
the granite rock. 1t is only when assailing
great crimes and criminals, or in self-defence
from unjustffiable assaults, that 1t performs
its once with greatest dignity and effect
OF various kinds of invective, one Of the
most effective y that which, with a smiling
face, turns an opposite position into ridicule
more completely than could be done by agrave
argument. Thus it was by the dexterous use
Of this weapon that Lord NORTH, who could
lay claim to none Of the imprisoned declama-
t(on Of his Wing opponents, kept his ground
In debate. BURKE and Fox once took him an.
gritty 70 task, in the House of Commons, for
calling. In public document, the insurgent
colonists by the name Of rebels. I" Very wcll,,'
replied NORTH, "if 1t will please you better,
~ WILL call them gentlemen Of the opposition,
"over the water" Nothing could be more
graceful than the manner In which BaousHAx,
usaajly clumsy Mt satire, once gave the lie 10
IN opponent. An imputation which BaorasAn
had made upon MELsorRxE's government wss
aatly denied by the latter, and 1t was for the
interest OF BxoUaHAN's argument to sustain
what he had said without directly accusing
Lord 1ELBorssE Of falsehood. MY noble
friend" he remarked, " though but a novice
= II once. uasde the dentai with giibness and
"Eeadiness that might have done honor to the
Assasrnts Anbils 81 qgcial assertion, only ac-
"qatred BY those who are horn at whitehall
"aad bred In Downing street." The element
o. snaxpectedness In thought and statement
- been regarded = considerable charm Of
tnvoct1ye. Il hag been observed that thu heat