The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1878-01-30
CHOATE As AN ORATOR.
FAMOUS SPEECH, OF WHICH PORTION
HAS HITHERTO REMAINED
UNPUBLISHED.

Congress in lS43, when was of thS
age of thirty-one years, when the sec
ond generation of the present states
men were still on the boards, tapping
the Revolutionary age. They were
then in the full vigor Of intellect, and
still figuring prominently on the
public stage. John Quincy Adams
was a member of the House of Re-
representatives.. Calhoun, Clay and
Webster were the three great lead
ers of particular political ideas
They were known as the great Anne
rican trio Of their respective schools.
One of the first deep impressions
made upon my mind was by Rufus
Choate, of Massachusetts. Early in
my first session l had gone into the
Senate to see Mr.. Berrien, of Geor-
gia. While | was about leaving the
Senate Chamber the order of the day
Was called, and before | reached the
door the tones Of voice of q speaker
attracted my attention. turned in
the direction of the orator, and saw
before me remarkable looking man
of medium size, with raven locks, q
striking black eye, pallid cheek, a
bearing as if fully charged with his
subject, aud his hand trembling as If
with electricity. The Chair had an
nounced the gentleman from Massa-
chusetts, and in an instant I knew it
must be Rufus Choate. ! soon be-
came very much interested in his
speaking. His manner and style
we're grand, and become more 80 as
he progressed. Every one was en-
raptured with his eloquenee. He
was replying to a speech made by
Mr.. Buchanan on resolution to give
notice to the English Government Of
q termination of the joint occupancy
of Oregon. Mr., Buchanan had ia
ken the extreme view, calculated to
arouse a war feeling. He spoke of a
deep seated enmity in the breasts OF
our people over the wrongs inflicted
by England in former days, and that
i'll blood and hate existed in this
country in consequence of these
wrongs. The Globe of 1843, in re-
porting the reply of Mr.. Choate, says
it cannot finish the report of the
speech, owing to the sudden indispo
sition of its reporter. l can repeat
the omitted portion even at this dis
tance of time, so profound was the
impression made upon me. Wher
Mr.. Cboate came to this part of Blu
chanan's speech he seemed to rise tc
q majesty that Impressed his audi
ence more deeply than l had ever wit
messed any orator accomplish on {
like occasion. After quoting thes'
expressions of Mr.. Buchanan, Mr.
Choate said:
"How is this2 Is it SO? Is it sc
that there are anything like deep
seated feelings of hate or enmity to
ward England? Sir! in behalf of IN
countrymen, l deny the allegation.
/ protest against the statement tina
they indulge in any sentiment so im
moral, so unchivalrous, 80 unchri:
tian and so unworthy of good an
gallant men. Let US discriminate,
said he. "That there is an inten!
feeling INDUCED in by them of exu
tation over their independence, I q
NIT. That they cherish an inten
sentiment or consciousness of th
independence, and of a high al
grand destiny we are TO fulfill in o.
race with the mother country al
with the foremost nations Of Il
earth in all that tends to elevat
adorn and enn, bic civilization, ] W
grant. But l deny there is any Sc
timent akin to enmity or hate iowa
any of her rivals in this race iowa
the goal of true national renown.'
No, sir! No, sir! We are above (
this. Envy, malice, hate and I
Tenge are passions which have no e
istence or abiding place in this Ian
Let the Highland clansman, half n
ked, half civilized, half blinded
the peat smoke of his cabin, have b
hereditary enmity, and keep his kee
deep, and hereditary passions II
healed, set on the fire of hell alive
his breast; let the North Americ
Indian, driven to the Pacific shol
and looking back upon the lands
his forefathers, indulge in feelings
hate for unaveuged wrongs that ha
been done him; but never let it
said that such passions dwell