The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-02-04
THE PRESIDENTS STYLE.
His Force Lies Not in Rhetoric, but In 9,
ing Facts Clearly and Strongly.

His Force Lies Not in Rhetoric, but In Stat
ing Facts Clearly and Strongly.
New York Press.
Judging from the comments that were
made in both houses of Congress immedl-
ately after the Presidents message was
read, last Monday, that remarkable docu-
ment made an impression by It's qualities as
a piece of composition only second to that
made by the topic of supreme interna-
tiOnal moment with which it dealt. What.
about the Gillian situation, there was
none about the vigOr. logic eloquence and
masterfulness with which the case, as the
administration at Washington saw Ii, was
set forth. Indeed. tributes to the ability of
this state paper were ingeniously used in
some quarters to detract from the credit
due to it's conclusions. Here and there a
Congressman. who was determined to find
fault In Ordert to make party capital. would
take refuge in words substantially like
these: Yes. 1 know, the message made o
great ! impression on the House. Every body
Is immensely stirred up sby the showing
which 10 made Of our case against Chill,
and there is no doubt that IL a vote were
taken at once il wOulo be nearly unani-
nous for UNFOLDING the Presidents hands.
But this feeling is due to the extraordinary
strength with which the message was writ
ten. 1t is an exceedingly able document.
Its style is ingenious and adroit. 1t car
rlcs all listeners along to conviction that
the President is right. in spite of them
selves. When the first effect of hearing
this extremely able message is worn of
enthusiasm will subside."
OF a similar tenor was more OF less
newspaper comment. In fact. those who
were ready to stand by their country
praised the matter and the name of the
&c; those who wanted an excuse for
not standing by their country tried to
lind IL in claiming that the manner was
SO effective as to conceal the defects of the
matter.
The Press has already spoken in no
doubtful tones about the questions treated
in the documents submitted to Congress
last Monday. We have now q few words
to say as to this subject of
literary composition. Our judgment on
that point is in harmony with the general
sentiment, so far as the strength. logic and
clearness of the composition are concerned.
The Presidents CHILEAN message was one of
the ableet state papers published In this
or any country for many years past. AS
a specimen of virlle writing it will live
long after the occasion which brought
IL forth shall have become a dim historical
"Reminiscences. The Press has heretofore
discussed at some length the extraordinary
1Orcefulness of style which characterize
not only President Harrison's more stately
utterances, but even his casual and i'm
promptu addresses.
What we have to add now is that those
who say the effectiveness of his latest
message came from the attractivcness of q
style which hid the facts make q ludicrOus
mistake. They are quite right about the
attractiveness. but completely wrong as to
it's effect. 1t did not hide the facts; it
revealed them. Right there was the secret
of Its effectiveness. 1t is not by tricks of
rhetoric. by flowers of language. not by any
ingenious device that depends on verbal
skill. that this man from Indianapolis ~
able to write so strongly that hearers and
readers are almost convinced against
their will. 1t is by the simplicity of sin
certify. IL is by first getting at the bottom
facts OF his subject: second. thinking the
subject through until its essential points
are clear az crystal IN his own mind: third.
giving expression to his thoughts in the
Newsstand fittest words possible.