The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-01-25
is oRAIoRY A LOST ARrq
Belief That the Grafton OF the Stumr
still Has It's Charms.

Belief That the Grafton OF the stump
still Has It's Charms.
Frons the Chdutduouan.
The greatest orators at the American bar
are not orators at all, as the word was
formerly understood.
But II the greater lawyers have discarded
what was deemed to be true oratory in
times past, in other professions the power
of oratory 10 sway and convince is limited
only by the number OF those who have the
gift OF orGtory and have had the patience
to develop IT, A striking illustration of
this occurred at the meeting of the New
England Society in New York city some
years ago. A young man known only as an
editor, and not widely in that capacity be-
yond his native state, was invited Co de-
liver the principal address at this din-
ner. When he was placed in the seat
of honor something like amusement was
expressed that a person Of such boYish ap-
pearance should have been selected as the
chief orator OF the occasion. Famous men
had been invited to accept this honor in
times past. But here was youngster from
Georgia of whom many had meyer heard
and upon whose shoulders was placed the
responsibility OF maintaining the reputation
of this society as the friend of the greatest
orators. When the young man had finished
his address, however, there was still amaze-
meut but 1t was due TO another reason. The
company ulaFveled at this new revelation
Of what orat0ry might be made In this day
of practical things. Young Grady swept
the throng, as the expression is, fairly off its
feet and he might well have said with
Bryon that he awoke ia the morning and
found himself famous. His speach and the
enthusiasm which it caused AS well as some
Of the after effects, were refutation Of the
assertion that oratorY has had its day.
In the pulpit also there never was a time
when the power OF oratory to attract and
convince was greater than 1t is this very
day. A year or two ago the doors Of Trinity
church in New York city were thrown open
at the noon hour for a week.
1t was announced that a giant Of the
pulpit was to appear; that Phillips Brooks
was to deliver an address Of an hours dura-
ton each day, and then was seen an as
founding sight, a magnificent refutation of
the assertion that the day OF oratory has
passed and that it is a lost art. Into this
church there flocked men who had millions
at their command; pressed in promiscuous
confusion were capitalists whose names are
known the world over and humble clerks
Great lawyers and able jurists found them
selves side by side. Even the chancel was
packed and. had the building been large
enough to contain twice the number there
gathered, it still would not have been large
enough to hold those who wished to hear
JulS OTdbOEJ VI pulplbs TOT uhyS bulS
splendid tribute to the sway Of OrRtory was
maintained.
Nor is it true that the oratory Of the
stump has no longer charms MIR Conk-
| ling attained his great fame as an orator
not only because of his magnificent pres
ence aud his native gift, but bee luse he be-
| slowed the most assidueas toll upon every
GRAFTON and had from childhood practiced
elocution, enriched his vocabulary with con-
slant raadimR of the ClacQiOG fraiuad hts
voice as a great singer does and had become
a master of the devices or what are called
the tricks of rhetoric, by which It's power is
made most impressive to an audience.
1t is safe to say, then, that when another
| comes who has native gifts and sub jects
himself to the discipline which was prac-
ticed by ConkliDg and by every one OF the
greatest of orators-Lincoln himself prac-
ticed it for many years unbeknown TO any
but his most ultimate friends-then we shall
have another demonstration that oratory is
| not q lost art. d.