The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-03-16


his speeches, and in its course ably alleged that
Senator SpraeHe ''smiledn when he rose to
speak. To this Senator Sprague promptly re-
Poepp Pp al, IN IhS i4lloW,ng termsHnot hurhng
as has so often been done by lesser orators,
when charged with discreditabie characteristics,
but boldly acknowledging the corn and admit
ting himself to beguilty even beyond the mea-
sure OF the accusation:-
~ intend" exclaimed lSenator sprague, 'T in.
tend always when rise in my seat here, to SMILE
consider the face that will smile only when II sees
something TO IL to smile and excite its interest
as not the kind wish to have. 90 not wish TO
OF question before the senate that interests mem.
bers should be discussed in friendly and smlling
always occupy in this body"
These be wsghty rem srks, and the man who
can smile after perusing them can hardly be
aware OF their significance, or of the purposes
for which Heaven gifted mortals with the power
of smiling. There is such \ thing, perhaps as
smile which costs the smiler nothing, but yet
If smile be put in the wrong place, 1t may be
productive OF the grayest results AS for our
selves, we intend neither to smlle after the
Senator'S remarks nor 20 permit any of our more
wicked and thirsty readers to do so, but to draw
from them philosophical neral for the instruc-
ton OF senstors and the guidance OF the Ameri-
csn'people.
The lesson to be derived is the moral power of
smile. 1t is not to be supposed that the Sena-
tor had the intention of smiling without pur-
pose. Psychologists tell us that every move
ment of muscle involves the expenditure OF
force and the exhaustion of the physical powers.
In the simple act Of smiling some thirty-three
facial muscles are called into motion-not 70
speak OF the preliminary motions OF the brain.
10 smile, therefore, on rising to speak, before
beginning the speech, duringtts course and after
its CLOSE adds enormously 10 the amount oil effort
required in its delivery; and II naught be thereby
added to its effectiveness there is just so much
dead wood. But on the other hand, If, by
smiling when you rise to make speech, you
put your hearers in a good humor; If
py another smile, Just before beginning, you
rivet their attention; If, by continuous sue
Cession OF smiles as you go along you make
yourself tolerable; and If, by rounding off with
smile and appsndipg another as you sit down,
you induce belief in your convictions and q
vote tor your bil can it be said that the thing is
destitute of moral power? That the results we
! have Just enumerated are sure to follow we ap-
peal to the records of Congress. We appeal to the
records of other legislative bodies. Lord Pal
! merston had always smile on his face, and
! where was there ever so successful minister
! MIR. Bright never smiles, and rarely carries q
! measure. The face of the Marquis de Boissy is
! always wreathed in smiles, while the counte-
! nance of NJ. Rouher is leaden as bis speeches.
! We do not care about going into an enumeration
! OF all the members of Congress who are capa-
| bic OF indulging in smiles, and who take pains
! to bring them TO the surface as frequently as
our text inculcates but let any Interested
reader procure the photographs of members and
| examine the expression OF countenanCe each
one assumed while being taken, and then lot
him read the speeches, study the measures, and
examine the votes from day to day, photographs
! in hand, and our word for il he will End that
members are just successful in their oratory and
their schemes in proportion to the sweetness
! and frequency of the smiles which hover around
their Countenances. The most mischievous
members of Congress in precipitatng the great
Rebellion were men who never opened or closed
| their speeches with q smile. Toombs had per
! manent scowl on mis- face; Wiglall occasionally Y
leered-the very opposite OF such smiling as
! Senator Sprague descanted upon; Mason accom-
panied his speeches with good gestures, but no
sweet smiles; Benjamin occasionally smiled, and
go also did JEFF. Davis, but they were the mean,
designing, smrking smiles OF the political con.
eprator, and not such luminous illusions as
charscterize the noble soul.
Viewed in this light, and by these examples
| and great results, the reader can appreciate the
inherent significance, the moral power, and the
legislative force OF q smile. And he will be
able to appreciate the Senatorial philosopher
who has brought the subject to our attention
and who illustrates its value in his own career
We close by calling general attention to q
public duty that now looms up in Importance
In choosing Senators and members Of the
House, they must see to it that they elect mel
who know how to SMILE and not only know
how, but who do smile. Watch their faces
when they rise to deliver q speech, scan then
as they commence, keep an eye on them al
they proceed, note them closely as they WinC
up, and give them parting glance as they retir
to the rear. IL 20 radiant smiles suiuSe thei
faces, cough them down and vote them down
Bgt it, on the other hand, smiles play on thei
features as tue sunshine on the lea, be assured
that they h ave those qualities and qualification
try's history, and vote for them early and often