Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1886-08-19
Orators OF OTHER DAYS.

orator, caiIsu ih MS uAg tue Dehios
themes Of America, il described az
having been nearly six feet high. with
q slight stOop of the shoulders. his
complexion dark, sunburned and sal
lox, his forehead high. bis blueish-
gray eyes oyerhung Ly heavy eye
brows and his mouth and chin indie
alive Of frmness. His delivery was
natural and well-timed. and his man
ners were dignifcd. He spoke with
great deliberaiion, never recalling
or recasting sentences as he went
along, nor substituting a word for a
better one. His voice was not remark
able for it's sweetness, but it was firm.
and he never INDUCED in continuous
and deafening vociferation. Every
schoolboy is familiar with his wonder
ful appeal 10 Congress to offer armed
resistance TO Great Britain, ending,
"Give me liberty, or give me death.
Richard Henry Lee, measured by
the classic standard of oratory, was
the Cicero OF the Continental Con-
gress. The cultivated graces Of his
rhetoric. We are told. received and
reflected beauty by their contrast with
his colleagues grander illusions, his
polished periods rolling along without
effort and filling the ear with the most
exquisite harmony.
Samuel Adams, of Massachusetts, who
had been known as 1.-The great incen-
diary" 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-wis
counsels. perhaps, accomplishing as
much as eloquence. lie was at that
time 80 years Of age, and his form was
slightly bowed, while his long locks
were gray. but his clear blue eyes
flashed with the fire Of youth, and
courage was stamped on every fea-
ture.
Alexander Hamilton, Of New York,
small in stature, possessed a mind Of
immense grasp and unlimited original
resources, of such rapid thought that
he seemed at times to reach his con-
illusions by species of intuition. He
would catch the principle involved in
a discussion as If by instinct, and ad-
here rigidly to that. quite sure that
thereby the details were certain TO be
right. Rufus King, one of his collea-
cues. was the possessor Of an uncom-
monty vigorous mind. highly cultiyat.
ell by study, and he spoke with digni-
ty, conciseness, and force. His argn-
ments were so logically arranged that
as they had convinced him they carried
conviction to others
John Rutledge, of South Carolina,
was probably the most cultivated
orator IN the Continental Congress.
His ideas, Ramsey tells us, were clear
and strong, his utterance rapid but
distinct; his voice, action, and ener-
getic manner of speaking foIcibly
Impressed his sentiments on the minds
and hearts OF all who heard him. Al
reply he was quick, instantly COM
pretending the force Of an objection
and seeing at once the best mode OF
weakening or repelling it.
During the first 80 years of the
existence Of the Senate and House OF
Representatives in Congress Assembl-
ed, under the Constitution, there
were no verbatim reporters. and the
Congressional orators poured forth
their breathing thoughts and burning
words in polished AMI eloquent Ian
gnage. Business was transacted in a
conversational manner aud when set
speeches were occasionally made they
We're listened 10 with attention. The
hrst written speech read in the United
States Senate was by the Hon. Isaac
Hill, of New Hampshire, firm sup
porter of Gen. Jackson. When about
halfthrou9h he suddenly lost the thread
OF his discourse and stopped, evidently
embarrassed. His wife, who sat in
the gallery almost directly over him,
Sompreherded the situation and said
IN voice heard all over the Senate
Chamber. Mr.. Hill, you've turned
over two leaves at once" He imme-
diatly corrected his mistake and pro-
coded with his remarks amid a roar of
laughter.
Daniel Webster was not an extern.
Poraneous speaker, and he always
prepared himself with great care for
his speeches in the Senate and his
arguments before the Supreme Court.
Always careful about his personal
appearance when he was TO address
an audience. he used, after he had
reached the zenith of his fame, 10
wear the cnstnms of tha Rr,A;sh Wh;.