Middletown transcript., 1873-06-21
Extemporaneous Efforts.

Marshall. Of Kentucky, one Of the most
brilliant orators Of his time, and man Of
large scholarly attainmeuts. who had as
much Of that mystical quality called gen
ius a. any Of his contemporaries in Con-
escss. VAS full Of afFectation in this re-
gsrd. lie spoke readily without prcpara.
Iion, his ideas following each other con-
sccuiive and with uncommon force but
he never trusted TO the inspiration Of tho
moment when there was opportunity for
Mudying up the subject and arranging bis
thoughts in advance. He had habit Of
abseuting himself from the Capitol for
DAYS at a time. every hour Of which he de-
voted TO reading aud study. his acquain-
tances generally suPposing hin, to be en-
gagged in drbauch. After getting thor
ourLly crammed and armed at every point
hs would come into the House looking cx
haus,ed and haggard. giving color to the
notion that he had been on frolic, and
watching his opportunity. would pour
forth the fruits OF study in a strain Of off,
hand, striking eloqucpcc that hardly ever
failed TO astonish his hearers And the
remark was often heard. "What brilliant
man! What could he not accomplish il
he was industrious aud regular in his hab-
it's"
Mr.. Prcsien for some time Dir. Cal
houns colleague ia the Senate. was an ae-
complshed gentleman aud very popular
orator. He never spoke without COM
manding the attention of his hearers, and
few men in Congress had higher rcru,a-
ton for brilliant cxtemporaneous clio.
qucnca lIu: he never spoke without the
most ample aul careful preparation. Soon
after he retired from Congress he was cho-
sen president Of college in South Caro-
lima. In an address TO the students he
said he knew OF no such thing MS genius or
Laiural inspiration, Whatever Of reputa-
ton he had acquired was by diut Of con-
slant, unliriug labor, lie had trusted to
study aud hard work solely. He never
spoke in Congress or 10 a popular assem-
blage vithou, arranging what he had to
say. and even premcditating his sentences
aud the precise collocaion Of his words
And he assured bis hearers that the only
road to public distinction lay through the
field OF study aud research.
Mr. Webster was so thoroughly in
s,ruciei upon all subjects which came un.
der discussion in Congress that he was
equal to almost any occasion, and rarely
needed any special preparation. Aud yet
be was not above the weakness Of conceal
ing his studies. aud the soures whence he
drew his inspiration. No nan better un-
dcrstood the weight and value Of language
than Mr. Webster, and what ho said was
always marked BY precision and perspicu-
iiy but when coping with formidable
antagonist he omitted no means that pro-
missed to aid him IN the contest Ilo was
accustomed to speak Of 'hc master pro-
duclion OF his life. hi, celebrated reply To
Hayuc, as q surt # cnsunl effort, made on
the spur Of the uion.ti. without much
previous Consideration
Probably the rs n'n 10 public life who
could NEST safely trust 10 their own re-
sources aud ac,lH rcmen;s, under all cir
cnucunstancs wz.e Nr. Adams and Mr.
Calhoun. The eGIDs m nis Of Mr. Calhoun
were Of a higher oder. aud his creative
power was superior to that nf Mr Adams;
ju, the "oli mau eloquent as he was
called. had memory % tenacious and his
knowledge was sn extensive and exact.
that he never seemed to need any special
preparation lie was the most laborions
and methndieal man in Congress, aud pro-
bably in the country He KEEP, solum-
nous diary. in which every event, inciden,
or circumstance Of the day was carefully
noted down and this, with his habits Of
industry, made hin a very doctor in all
matters Of controversy and argument. |,
was u knowledge OF his complete equip
ment aud his power n. antagonist ,ha,
prompted the reply Of Mr. Clay. when
asked when he purposcd to renew the dis
cus.ion with Mr.. Adams on tho vsxed
question OF the fisheries Of the Mississippi,
rs connected with the treaty Of Ghent.-
Finding himself getting the worst Of the
argument, Mr. Clay closed .he considers.
tion Of the matter. so far as be was con-
cerucd, with the remark that ho should
drop the subject. hoping to renew it at
aome future pc iod mere favorable for
calm discussion, when he expected to show
that Mr.. Adams was altogether in the
wrong. Some time afterward friend
asked him when he proposed TO reopen the
controversy Never was the emphai-
ic reply "A man mus, be born fool
who voluntarily engages in controversy
with Mr. Adams on question of fact.
doubt whether he was ever mistaken in
his life. And then, il he happens to be
10 doubt about any thing, he has his inc
vi,ablc diary. in which he has everything
that has occurred since the adoption Of the
Federal Constitution From '.Recollec-
,ions Of an Old S,agcr." in Harper's Mag
axine for July.