Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-04-09

sIDAY MORNING. APR. 9. 1886
TIE AMERICAN ORATORY OF
THE FUTURE.
who had the patience to read the
speeches in the so-called "great debate"
In the Senate recently, could not
help being struck with the difference that
has come over the style of congressional
oratory in the present generation. The
ountry has gone past the old, recognized
rulation style of oratory, as indeed the
lions which gave birth and timeliness
at style have ceased. With the occa-
ms have departed the orators. In Ameri-
IN oratory there have been two distinct
yles; one, the lofty, stately stepping,
shion which once adorned the halls of
,ngress, andl the other the impassioned
ttern, ornamented with 'cur1s," which
till in use in stirring up local political
tings and irreverently denominated
oping up the boys Set speeches are
,nger in vogue in Washington and
. ready debater has supplanted the
eloquent Orator. Plastic material may
js modelled into parties by oratory, but
when once hardened requires the chilled
keen edge of debate to change its
shape. The two great political parties in
the Union are not affected by oratory
nowandnothingbut steel arguments Can
indent their lines. When changes are
effected it is by the smallest clippings.
such as the Democrats succeeded to the
Presidency by, and not by any overwhelm
ing change such as has been generally
credited to oratorical torrents Of the past.
The finer the civilization, the less it IS
impressed by eloquent oratory. Eloquence
is of barbaric birth, and to this day fluids
IS easiest led followers in barbaric coun-
ries. Ignorance is swayed by it as by
.he wind. Intelligence takes it, strips its
tinsel and spangles and with critical eye
holds it in cold balance.
The power of oratory in this country
has decayed in proportion to the rise of
practical economic issues, and the diffusion
Of education. 1t drew its milk from sem
tlment, and as that gives Way Co material
ssues, 80 sinks the orator before the de-
'ater. In this period of the Republic our
fairs are debated. rather than dictated.
10 voice. however sonorous; no trope,
oweyer skilfu!; no metaphor, however
lt and no flight of fancy. however gaudy
stand the impairment but practi-
10 IONS of the debater. The finest
ne On drawn hot from the classics,
ore the icy touch of superior facts
al ther side. In the forum of Ameri-
tics of this day the mere orator ap-
'ars clad in ponderous medieval armor
Lmbling around the arena. while the
ghtly encumberod modern debater nimb.
Y piercss him to his death-the loud
pounding and mighty taurus worried to
lis end by the scant clad masador. In the
asst quarter of a century, and more espe-
tally since the enthusiastic view of TIE
ivil war has SO faded out the members
the American Congress who have been
ted as ,''great" speakers have dimlnish-
with unchecked rapidly. Charles
,umnef was the last Republican Senator
Who could appoint a day long way
head when he would address tie Senate,
Keep the strained eyes and tense
Of his party fixed on that day. A
Ag9f his ability to do this arose,
b ot out Of his greatness-though he was
ldenably- great--but out of the occa-
On. Around him., in the mind of the
blio0n orf0 aIr1ot oil ba
ies of the civil war, its antecedents, Its
'ovocation and its triumphant termna.
)n. twas the sentiment as much as the
n. A little later, when Roscoe Conkling
ane to essay the same role, be was
tranded. The tide had left the field
,are Besides this, the historical events
chat focused on Sumner did not include
him in their centre. In that same Seuat e
came later, men born out of their
) far as oratory is commemorative
4amar. They were both great orators.
\ the cold shoulder period which
ess has turned to oratory could never
achieved the position in their party
Sumner, who was timely in ali re-
S, did in his. We hear it often re-
ed that the Democratic party should
lost from the Senate by death and
notion, such men as Hill, and Garland,
md Lamar, but the Democracy has stron-
y man than any of the three still left
Y George of Mississippi. To one who
sSenate debates he is one of the
.nen of his time in American affairs.
is spseches havs more of the Giadstonian
laracteristlcs of tremendous force, clear
ess and brevity than any that are made
he floor of the Senate. And another
tue-infrequency and timeliness.
Perhaps among the plainest evidences OF
le decadence OF oratory in Congress. is
he fact that the man who has for many
ears been the Democratic leader in the
House, and who has, in fact, N oulded leg~
!stion there by his individual will, has
Mr.. Randall, who is as far from be-
IN orator as could we'll be imagin-
co. None of the leaders of tue Republi-
party are orators. Since Blaine 3
ne there has not baen speaker of
rked ability unless President Garfield
claimed as one. The leaders of that
rtg in the House-Mr. Hiscock for the
th Congress, and now Mr. Reid for the
pfesent-are neither orators, though the
last named is debater of unusual ability.
With the changed relation of orators and
debaters, the preparation of our young
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