The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-08-13
WHOLE NO. 295.
orator-they are lofty, but not impassiored; !;

orator-they are lofty, but NOT impassioned;
correct. but not fluent
Henry Clay was every inch patriot and
an orator. j heard him on British aggres-
sion. Never certainly had ever beheld so
powerful an exhibition of natural oratory.
The grace Of the attitudes into which he
threw his flexible figure, the striking
gestures of his arms, and. above ali, the fire
which shot from bis brilliant eyes. impaired
an effect TO the continually changing ac.
cents of his voice of which the most accom-
plished actor might be proud. At one mo.
ment leaning forward, when stating circum--
stsntially the grievances of which the Nation
complained, and then. standing bolt up-
right with clenched hands and a coupte-
nance distorted with passion, he poured out
q tide OF invectives. The effect on his audi
ence was electric-one and all, they stood
regarding him with sparkling eyes and
trembling limbs, as though they they were
listening to the inspired voice of prophet.
Henry Clay was the greatest actor of the
STAGE
Calhoun was the favorite of the South.
Morally he is to be rated higher than either
Webster or Clsy. He was keen in the obser-
vation of whatever was minute He was
attracted by the lofty and ideal. Similarity,
resemblance, pictures and analysis caught
his eye. They were seized and secured, and
thrown down upon bis page in gorgeous
groups and splendid colcring. His logic was
compressed and concealed: the train Of
reasoning be seemed to be pursuing might
be clear and continuous to his own mind;
ali its facts logically articulated from end to
end; but 1t was only indicated TO the
audiences; II was like a stream of water,
working its way under ground, that
| showed itself now and then, or by q success.
sion OF openings and jets. the one apparently
| deep, the other light and sparkling He was
distinguished for his power of condemnation.
Metaphors, tropes and figures of all kinds
/ were never found in his speeches. His
eloquence and logic set on fire. I heard him
in one OF bis alterations with Clay. / was
surprised that Mr.. Calhoun's eloquence did
| not produce the least reply. II fell like
/ thunderbolt upon iceberg, glanced
along hissed and was extinguished."
To the question, Did you ever hear Bas-
| com, the famous Methodist divine? he ans
wered Yes, heard him once at camp
| meeting in this State. The people came
from all quarters to behold the glory of the
New Sun, which had just burst forth in the
evangelical borizon. He was undoubtedly a
Christien Demosthenes; giant of the pull
pit. His eloquence was not studiously
shelter flame, but a torch blazing only with
the more breadth and briiliancy as it was
more broadly waved. Bascom was eminent
| ly handsome, and possessed in his noble
bearing and appearance that happy combi-
nation of mIldness, elegance and dignity
which may perhaps be expressed ct once by
the word grscefulness. have seen and
heard many perfect orators but Bascom
| L nave never seen euualed, or
even initiated. 1t was not learn
ing; it was not wit; 1t was the uutaught and
unincumbered incantation of genius the
mightiest engine of which the world can
boast"
General Lee told an anecdote of the great
Virginian, Patrick Henry. which may be in
terestIng to members of the bar. He was in
the habit of using tobacco, and when en-
gagged in an argument would turn TO some
: leading member of the jury who was lover
: of the weed, and in an of-hand familiar
way, ask him for quid. The juryman, fat.
] tered at finding such a similarity of tastes
and habits between himself and the digni-
fed counsel, would follow the example, and
the good impression made on his mind was
not unfrequentIy transferred from the advo
cate to his cause. Similar ingenious meth
: DDS to secure the good will of the juries have
been resorted to by Curran and other we'll
known barristers.