The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-01-03

mowers OF oratory, and that MYSTERIOUS.
imnrcssIve. almost omuipotent something
called " Presence, :" were not fully exhibited
until he commenced arraigning Mr.. Van
Buren's administration for extravaganza,
maIieassnce, and corruption. His men.
tai energies then became fully aroused
and bounded uuder the burning hre
OF passion. excited by sense OF
high public trusts betrayed; OF c)psiitu-
tional provisions violated, OF States rights
iramplcd upou, and OF dangers when ne
believed threatened the perpetui'y OF tbe
Union Itself, to which his great soul was
riveted as with "hooks OF steel. Iaii,
large. well proportional. he drew nimseH
up TO his fullest height. His eagle eyes
flashed as with electric fire; bis powerful,
irumpet.toned voice, propelled by the
strong fires from bis intellectual forge, rang
ont uron the vast auditory 80 succession
Of rapid. eloquent, startling utterancFs ihal
n seemed could emana,e from nothing less
Than Divine inspiration Itself. Indeed, as
has been said Of Paul when defending him.
self against Agrippa, he looked and spoke
ike man iaio " HON the spirit OF God had
rushed. Having temporarily suspended
his satire, invcctive, and Remuneration OF
the Administration, which he said was about
10 expire beneath the indignant frowns ana
crushing verdict Of wroDged ana out
RACED people, be then turned and Delivered
A SPLENDID eulogy upon General Harfison'
whom he pronounced pure man, true
natriot. and q brave soldier. Pausing Tor
few seconds Of the conclusion OF one OF MS
grand outbursts OF oratory, he exclaimed IN
tones OF thunder, "Where was Martin Van
Buren, when General Harrison was rlsklng
his life fighting the battles OF bis country =.
suddenly assuming q ludicrous attitude ana
manner, and lowering bis voice, nc crIed
ont. with nimitabe drOleIy, "At Kinder
hook, capering nimbly In lady's chamber
10 tho laSciyOus pleasing OF Lutte" The
effect was immediate and spontaneous. and
the audicncc'was thrown into COMMISSIONS OF
laughter which it was difficult to suppress:
Mr.. Van Buren, bad in one OF his annual
messages TO Congress recommended tne
raising OF a Standing army OF 200,OO0 men,
one half 10 be ain active SERVICE" the other
half 10 form a .'reserye." Their compen-
sation was 10 be fixed by law, but in other
respects these troops were TO be under the
regulations OF The War Department. This
proposition, so unrepublican and subyersive
OF the liberties of the people, aroused, OF
course, the conservative element OF the
TO the highest pitch OF indignation.
Learning hi, mistake when it was too late,
he endeavored TO shit the responsibility OF
I bis recommendation to the shoulders OF his
Secretary Of War, Mr.. Poinsett. Referring
to this, Mr.. Preston represented Mr.. Van
Buren, % whistling 10 his "dOg PoinSett "
under the table 10 come out and Gown up"
And so perfect was his acting that every
man in the house irvOluitarily made an
efloIt TO look under the table by which he
was standing.
At the conclusion OF this remarkable
speech, which lasted two hours and quar-.
ter. the audience aiose as one man TO their
feet. and in their almost frantic delight and
admiration sent up shout after shout OF ap.
plausc.. They then in body escorted him
TO his quarters al the Virginia House, on
Grace street.
have heard speeches from those world
renowned l0gicians, orators, and Statesmen,
Daniel Webster and Henry Clay; ! have
been thrilled and electrified by the fiery,
splcpdid oraory Of that versatile genius
and rcvcred, fearless old Nirginian Henry
A. Wise; | have been charmed by the
classic Ciceronian eloquence OF Henry Win
Ter Davis; have Stoned, when in the u
NTH Of their fame, to Corwin OF OHIO,
TO Marshall OF Kentucky, to Rayner and
Stanley OF North Carolina, 10 Leigh
and Baldwin Of Virginia, and to many
other distinguished orators; but have
never beard myself, nor have |, in my most
extraysgsnt fancies, ever conceived that
any man Of mortal mould ever did or could
make a speech SURPRISING in power and
efIec, this one made at the cold Wing Log
Cabin" in the city Of Richmond, in 1910,
by william c. Preston, OF South Carolina.
The impression il made upon me is as per-
pctuaiIy fresh and green in my memory rs
are The most pleasant and memorable Incl.
dents OF my school-boy days; and that
heard il, and was witness to the scenes
with which it was associated, Is one among
the most warmly cherished recollections OF
my life. "A. >. NJ.
RICHMOND, April, 1870.