Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1886-08-07
ORATORS OF OTHER DAYS.
Personal characteristics OF Patrick
Henry, Hamilton, Lee, Weoster'
Clay, and Sergeant :. Prentfss'

Patrick Henry, the great Virginia
orator, called in his day 'the
Demosthencs of America" is described
rs having been nearly six feet high,
with slight stoop of the shoulders. his
complexion dark. sunburned, and sal
low, his forehead high. his bluish-gray
eyes overhung by heavy eyebrows. and
his mouth aud chin indicative of firm
ness. His delivery was natural and
wcll-tmcd. and his manners were dig
nilicd. He spoke with great delibera-
ton, never recalling or recasting SEN
fences as he went along, nor substi-
tutiny word for better one. His
yo &c was not remarkable for its sweet
ness, but it was firm, and he never in
dulged in continuous and deafening
vocifcration. Every school-boy is
familiar with his wonderful appeal 10
congress to offer armed resistance to
Great Britain, ending. Give me lib
erty. or give me death.
Richard Henry lie :, measured by the
classic standard OF Oratory, was the
Cicero of the continental congress.
The cultivated graces of his rhetoric,
we are told, received and reflected
beauty by Their contrast with his col
leagues grandcr illusions, his polished
periods rolling along without effort and
iilling the ear with the most exquisite
harmony.
Samuel Adams, of Massachusetts.
who had been known as 1.-The great in
cendiary" in New England politics, be-
came the guiding intellect of the con-
gress. Yet it does not appear that
either he or his colleagues took a
prominent part in the debates-wise
counscls, perhaps, accomplishing as
much a elogucnce. He was ut that
t me- 30 years of age, and his form was
slightly bowed, while his long locks
were gray, hut his clear blue eyes
flashed with the fire of youth, and
uragc was stamped on every feature.
Alexander Hamilton, of New York.
small in stature, possessed mind OF
immense grasp and unlimited original
resources, of such rapid thought that
he seemed at times to reach his cOnelu-
sions by species of intuition. He
would catch the principles involved in
q discussion as if by instinct, and ad-
here rightly to that. quite sure that
thereby the details were certain to be
right Rufus King. one of the col
leagues. was the poSsessor of an uncOm-
monty vigorous mind. highly cultivated
by study. and he spoke with dignity.
conciseness, and force. His arguments
were so logically arranged that as they
had convinced him they carried convic-
ton to others.
John Rutledge, of South Carolina,
was probably the most cult waited ora
tor in the continental congress. HIS
ideas, Ramsey tells us, were clear and
strong. his utterance rapid but distinct;
his voice, action, and energetic man.
ner of speaking forcibly impressed his
sentiments on the minds and hearts of
all who heard him. At reply he WAS
quick, instantly comprehending the
force of an objection. and seeing at
once the best mod: of weakening or re-
polling it.
During the first fifty years of the
"senate and house of representatives
in congress assembled" under the con-
stitution, there were no verbatim re-
pOrters. and the congressional orators
poured forth their breathing thoughts
and burning words in polished and ell
oquent language. Business was trans
acted in conversational manner, and
when set speeches We're occasionally
made they were listened to with attcn-
ton. The first written speech read in
the United States senate was BY Hon.
Isaac Hill. of New Hampshire, a firm
supporter of Gen. jackson. When
about half through he lost the thread
of his discourse and stopped, evidently
embarrassed. His wife, who SAT in the
gallery almost directly over him. COM
pretended the situation, and said in a
voice heard all over the senate cham
Der. "Mr. Hill, you've turned over two
leaves at once" He Immediately cor.
re ted his mistake, and proceeded with
his remarks amid roar of laughter.
Daniel Webster was not an extern
poPaneous speaker, and he always pre-.
pared himself with great care for his
speeches in the senate, and his argi-
ments before the supreme court Al
ways careful about his personal appear
ance when he was to address an au-
dience, he used, after he had reached
the zenith of his fame, to wear the cos
tum of the British whigs-a blue dress
coat with bright buttons, buff waist
coat, black trousers, and high. white
cravat, with a standing shirt collar.
A man of commanding presence, with
a well-knit sturdy frame, swarthy feat
ures. a broad. thoughtful forehead,
courageous eyes cleaning from beneath
shaggy EYEBROWS, quadrangular
breadth of jaw bone, and a mouth
which bespoke strong will, he stood
like sturdy roundhead sentinel on
guard before the gates of the consti.
tuition. Holding in profound contempt
what is termed spread eagle oratory.
his only gesticulations were up-and.
down motions of his right arm, IS il
he were beating out with sledge ham,
mers his forcible ideas.
Henry Clay was formed BY nature
for popular orator He was tall and
thin, with q rather small head and
gray eyes. His nose was straight, bis
upper lip long, and his under jaw light.
His mouth, of generous width, straight
when he was silent, and curving up a,
the corners as he spoke or smiled, wa.
sngularly winning. When he enchainet
large audiences his features were light.
ed up by a pleasing smile. and the ges.
lures OF his long arms were graceful
and the gentle accents of his mellow