He knows how to call into
vigorous action both the sympathies and antipathies of those who listen
to him. I do not mean to imply by these remarks that his oratory is
deficient in argument or sound reasoning. On the contrary, he seizes
with great power upon the strong points of his subject, and presents them
clearly, forcibly, and eloquently. As a prompt and ready debater, always
prepared for assault or defence, he has few equals. In these encounters,
he appears to great advantage, from his happy faculty of turning little
incidents, unexpectedly occurring, to his own account. A word carelessly
dropped, or an unguarded allusion to individuals or parties by an
opponent, is frequently converted into a powerful weapon of assault, by
this skilful advocate. He has been so much in office that he may be said
to have been educated in public life. He is most thoroughly versed in
all the tactics of debate. He is not only remarkably fluent in his
elocution, but remarkably correct. He seldom miscalls or repeats a word.
His style is not overloaded with ornament, and yet he draws liberally
upon the treasury of rhetoric. His figures are often beautiful and
striking, never incongruous.
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