Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-07-18
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Marshall of kentucky, one of the most
brilliant orators Of his time, and a man of
large scholarly attainments, who had as
much of that mystical quality called genius
as any of his contemporaries in congress,
was full of affectation in this regard He
spoke readily without preparation, his
ideas following each other consecutvely and
with uncommon force; but he never trust
ed to the inspiration of the moment when
there was opportunity for studying up the
subject and arranging his thoughts in adj
vance. He had a habit of absenting him
self from the capitol for days at time,
every hour of which he devoted to reading
and study, his acquainances generally
supposing him 10 be engaged in debauch.
Alter getting thoroughly crammed and
armed at every point, he would come into
the house looking exhausted and haggard,
giving color to the notion that he had been
on frolic, and watching his opportunity,
would pour forth the fruits of his study in
strain of Off hand, striking eloquence that
hardly ever failed to astonish his hearers.
And the remark was often heard, "What
brilliant man! What could he not accom-
plish if he was industrious and regular in
his habits |"
Mr.. Preston, for some time Mr.. Calhoun's
colleague in the senate, was an accomplish
ed gentleman and very popular orator.
He never spoke without commanding the
attention of his hearers, and few men in
congress had higher reputation for bril-
liant extemporaneous eloquence. But he
never spoke without the most ample and
careful preparations. Soon after he retired
from congress he was chosen president of a
college in Sonth Carolina. In an address
to the students. he said he knew of no such
thing as genius or natural inspiration.
Whatever of reputation he had acquired
was by dint of constant, untiring labor. He
had trusted 10 study and hard work solely.
He never spoke in congress or TO a popular
assemblage without arranging what he had
TO say, and even premeditating his senten-
ces and the precise collocation of his words.
And he assured his hearers that the only
road to public distinction lay through the
field of study and research.
Mr.. Webster was so thoroughly instruct
ed upon all subjects which came under
discussion in congress that he was equal to
almost any occasion, and rarely needed any
special preparation. And yet he was not
above the weakness of concealng his stud
les, and the source whence he drew his in
spiration. No man better understood the
weight and value of language than Mr.,
Webster, and what he said was always
marked by precision and perspicuity but
when coping with formidable antagonist
he omitted no means that promised to aid
him in the contest. lie was accustomed to
speak of the master production of his life,
his celebrated reply to Hayne, as sort of
casual effort, made on the spur of the mo-
ment, without much previous consdera-
ton.
Probably the two men in public life who
could most safely trust to their own re-
sou rces and requirements, under all cir
cumstances, were Mr.. Adams and Mr..
Calhoun. The endowments of Mr. Calhoun
were of a higher order, and his creative
power was superior TO that of Mr.. Adams
but the sold man eloquen," as he WAS call
ed, had memory so tenacious, and his
knowledge was so extensive and exact.
that he never seemed 10 need any special
preparation. He was the most laborious
and methodical man in congress, and prob
ably in the country. He kept volumin-
Gus diary, in which every event, incident,
or circumstance of the day was carefully
noted down and this, with his habits of
industry, made him very doctor in all
matters Of controversy and argument. 1t
was knowledge of his complete equip
ment and his power as an antagonist that
prompted the reply of Mr.. Clay, when ask
ed when he purposed to renew the discus
sion with Mr.. Adams on the vexed ques-
tion of the fisheries of the Mississippi, as
connected with the treaty OF Ghent. Find
ing himself getting the worst of the argu-
ment, Mr.. Clay closed the consideration of
the matter, so far as he was concerned, with
the remark that he should drop the sub
ject, hoping TO renew II at some future Pc
rod more favorable for calm discussion,
when he expected TO show that Mr.. Adams
was aiogetl er in the wrong. Some time
ailerward friend asked him when he pro-
posed to reopen the controversy. "Never!"
was his emphatic reply. "a man must be
born fool who voluntarily engages in a
controversy with Mr.. Adams on question
of fact. doubt whether he was ever mis-
taken in his life. And then, If he happens
to be in doubt about any thing, he has his
inevitable diary, in which he has recorded
everything that has occurred since the a.
dopton Of the Federal Constitution.-Fr
"RecoHectionS Of an old Hd9er," in Hdr-
pe''S Magazine for Juty.