He is peculiarly happy in the
examination of witnesses--that art in which so few excel. He never
browbeats, he never attempts to terrify. He is never rude or
discourteous. But the equivocating witness soon discovers that his
falsehood is hunted out of its recesses with an unsparing determination.
If he is dogged and surly, he is met by a spirit as resolute as his own.
If he is smooth and plausible, the veil is lifted from him by a firm but
graceful hand. If he is pompous and vain, no ridicule was ever more
perfect than that to which he listens with astonished and mortified ears.
"The eloquence of Mr. Pierce is of a character not to be easily
forgotten. He understands men, their passions and their feelings. He
knows the way to their hearts, and can make them vibrate to his touch.
His language always attracts the hearer. A graceful and manly carriage,
bespeaking him at once the gentleman and the true man; a manner warmed by
the ardent glow of an earnest belief; an enunciation ringing, distinct,
and impressive beyond that of most men; a command of brilliant and
expressive language; and an accurate taste, together with a sagacious and
instinctive insight into the points of his case, are the secrets of his
success.
Pages:
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72