The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-09-13

titles a prophecy made by Senator Conkling
In that speech, for he then said that as
soon IS the questions arising out of the re
construction problems were settled the
business of congress would be chiefly that
which the financial. banking and revenue
policy of the government entailed.
There AVE been since that prophecy was
made some 10 or 10 special occasions in
lhich many days have been set apart for
debate upon financial questions, but except
IN the case of the present remarkable de
bate no great reputation has been made by
any member of congress by reason of a
speech so delivered. Mr.. Carlisle, now sec
Rotary Of the treasury, won his spurs, as did
Mr.. Conkling, by q financial speech which
vas elaborate, lucid and mastery in presen-
tation. Carlislc's reputation, however, was
gained rather as a thinker than as a great
orator.
The method of preparing public speeches
which prevails now and to some extent
the manner adopted for the delivery of
many of them, n account for what seems
10 be q decadenco in the delightful art of
pratory.
William Pinkney, who is o Forgotten,
but in his day was esteemed an orator of
extraordinary charm, fairly sweated over
the preparation of his addresses. He not
only wrote, but he pronounced each SEN
tence, striving to get a rhythmic quality.
Having polished and repolished the literary
form, Mr.. Pinkney practiced the rhetorical
graces before a looking glass, and one of
tho senators who recently spoke upon the
silver question used to be in the habit of
rehearsing his speeches before a full length
glass.
What is regarded as the greatest speech
ever made in the Observation-Disclosures reply to
Hayne-had no other preparation than a
study Of the subject for 20 years by Mr..
Webster. Haynes speech was delivered one
day; Webster wen to a dinner party in the
evening, sat for few moments before going
to bed arranging the heads of his reply,
slept as he said like q top, entered the
senate chamber the next morning perfectly
cool, and when he was asked by Senator
Clayton if he was well. charged replied,
-Four fingers, sir" and a few moments
afterward began a speech which made his
tory.
Conkling's genius for oratory as revealed
In the senate was the result not only of q
native quality, but Of the most arduous toll.
He labored far into the night, adjoining his
speeches with quotations that were peril
nent, although not of common use, and en-
riching them by a diction which such
orators as Tom Corwin, Stephen A. Doug
las and even Mr.. Blaine pronounced the
most magnificent and copious possessed by
any American orator. Conkling would no
more have read e speech Jas is the custom at
the present time, than he would have adj
dressed the senate in his shirt sleeves. His
name was entirely that of u man deliver
ing an impromptu address. 1t was the art
trhiob npncoala MT 1l1-iua bod t1ot ,,,o1;tr
too, although his speeches were not prepared
with The extraordinary care which Conk-
ling bestowed upon his.
1t was the comment of Mr.. Frederic r.
Coudert, one Of the most charming orators
Of the New York bar, that most of the
speeches delivered at the present session OF
congress read like mere essays, elaborate,
correct in style, sound in reasoning, but Ell
tirely void of the quality which gives ora
torical charm and force. Senator Hill pre-
pared his speech as he would have written
an essay for one of the reviews. He had
no thought of the sound of words, but only
for their lucid arrangement. Mr.. Conkling
was constantly striving not only to get Q
word which would accurately. express hi,
meaning, but would also when spoken slg,
gest a sympathetic sound. That is one OF
the secrets of Gladstone's charm as an ora.
tor. Blaine had that happy quality, but
1t was intuitive with him.
Bourke Cochran, who carried to congress
apeculiar fame as an orator, does not care
fully prepare his speeches. He relies upon
hcopious vocabulary, a high gift for imag-
Ing or picturesque statement and a capacity
Tor quick thinking upon his feet, so that
Eith him the rhetorical graCes are largely
q matter of habit and intuition. Upon q