Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1875-09-09
From the NeD York Tribune.
THE AMERICAN TRIUMVIRATE
[ From the address of Hon. r. L. Cling.
man at the University of the South
Commencement.

The Commencement exercises of the
University of the South were held at
Sewanee, Tenn. An address was deljv-
cred to the graduating class on the
"Defects of Public Speakers and the
characteristics of Popular Orators" by
the Hon. 7. L. Clingman. This adj
dress contained many interesting remi-
niscences of the great orators Of this
country, with descriptions of their styles
of speaking, and personal anecdotes con-
corning them. A large portion of the
address is given below.
Let us, however, now consider the pc
culiarities of some Of the most distin-
guished orators Of the country. will
in the first place call your attention to
two prominent Senators Of the same
State, Daniel Webster aud RefusC hoate,
of Massachusetts,. Among orators de-
seryedly eminent, can recall no more
striking contrast than they presented.
When / first heard Mr.. Webster his
voice, though not in any sense melodi-
Gus, was strong, clear and very mascu-
line. At times it reminded me pleas
antly of the ringing tone of a ravens
note heard at great distance through
the air. During his latter years it lost
much Of its strength and volume, but
was always distinct and pleasant. In
l848 be made an elaborate speech on
the subject Of the proposed acquisition
of territory from Mexico. He differed
with his colleague, Mr.. Davis, had much
feeling on the subject, and only spoke
after thorough preparation. That may
be remembered as the one in which he
said politicians are not sunfowers;
they do rot turn on their God when he
sets the same look they turned when be
rose" On this occasion he spoke with
unusual earnestness, and was very i'm
pressive. There we're several of the
new members of the House present, lis
tening to Mr.. Webster for the first
time. Toward the close of his speech
member from one of the northwestern
States said to me, "What is the matter
with the old fellowp What makes him
so dull2" "Why," I answered, che is
to-day speaking with very unusual ami
nation" Heavens !" he exclaimed,
"if he were to speak to one of our Wes-
tern crowds in that manner and they
did not know who he was, they would
go off and leave him." 1t was then the
custom of certain Western speakers in
the House to declaim with great yehe-
mence of manner, clinching their fists
and marching forward and backward
with formidable aspect, and when they
reached the most eloquent part of their
speeches the cravat was pulled off with
a sudden jerk and the vest was unbut-
toned and thrown open, partly to d.
minish heat and perspiration and doubt
less also to impress the audience with
the greatness Of the effort then being
made. To persons accustomed to such
speaking it seemed very strange that
Mr.. Webster should sometimes speak
for several minutes without making a
gesture. In spite, however, of his u.s.
ual want of action, he kept the atten-
ton Of his auditors, and his speeches
had that remarkable quality that when
one looked back to them from week TO
week they seemed TO stand out more
prominently and doomed in the dis
lance.
Early in 1874, in the Senate, be spoke
on the Oregon question. Several Dem
ocratic Senators, following in the de-
bate, assailed his speech with remarka.
BILE vehemence. 1t was evident that
they intended to make party capital by
attacking Great Britain. Conspicuoui
among them were Messrs. Benton, SiIas
Wright and Buchanan. Though de.
nouncing the pretentions, the injustice
the arrogance, and the insolence Of
Great Britain, they disclaimed any pur.
pose 10 go to war with her. while
these speeches were being made, one
evening at y social party, On meeting
Mr.. Choate, said, s"Why has not youI
Oregon speech been published 7" HI
I'D: II hare not yet made speech
Oregon question, but I mean t.
Ue.' Soon after, be delivered
the finest effort Of bis Senate
After discussing for per