If he is harsh, morose, or
abrupt in his manner, the speakers are apt to catch his spirit by the
force of involuntary sympathy. The same is true, to some extent, of the
principal debaters in such a body. When a man of strong prejudices and
harsh temper rises to address a public assembly, his indwelling
antipathies speak from every feature of his face and from every motion of
his person. The audience at once brace themselves against his assaults,
and condemn his opinions before they are heard. The well-known character
of an orator persuades or dissuades quite as forcibly as the language he
utters. Some men never rise to address a deliberative assembly without
conciliating good will in advance. The smile that plays upon the
speaker's face awakens emotions of complacency in those who hear, even
before he speaks. So does that weight of character, which is the matured
fruit of long public services and acknowledged worth, soothe, in advance,
the irritated and angry crowd.
"Mr. Pierce possesses unquestionable ability as a public speaker. Few
men, in our country, better understand the means of swaying a popular
assembly, or employ them with greater success. His forte lies in moving
the passions of those whom he addresses.
Pages:
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110