ster, in securing the attention of his audience, yet that he was always interesting and at tracted even more attention than Benton. Dr. Pinckney, who heard all three speak, says that Clay was born an orator, but that Cal houn and Webster were made orators. All concede, however, that the gift of oratory belonged in a high degree to Mr. Calhoun. What was the explanation of his power out side of his high character? for, of course, that was the indispensable basis. Some will say that it was his logical thought, and others, that it was his deep earnestness. And both will be right as far as they go. There was another important element, namely, his lan guage. I know that he is criticised, and justly, too, for being too severely plain in his style — as lacking in ornament, imagery, and classical flavor. But, admitting all this to be true, I maintain that the plain, simple language that Mr. Calhoun used was one of the elements of his power as a speaker and writer. We quickly tire of what is called fine writing. It will do for dress and state occasions, but we soon get enough of it. It is his plain, simple language that adds so much to the effect of Mr. Bryan's speeches and gives him such a hold upon the people. It was the rugged simplicity of his English, as well as his depth of thought and the liber ality of his views, that gave so much power to Mr. Tillman's speech on imperialism; and added so much to his reputation as a speaker. It is his simplicity of style, — it is because he drinks so freely from the " well of Eng lish undefiled " — that is the great charm about the speeches of President McKinley, and it is to this also, in a large degree, he is indebted for his wide popularity with the people. The splendid speech he made at Boston beautifully illustrates this thought. I am sure I will be pardoned for quoting one sentence from its peroration as he reaches a climax in his oratory : " Always perils and always after them safety; always darkness and clouds, but always shining through them the light and sunshine; al
ways cost and sacrifice, but always after them the fruition of liberty and education and civilization." Mr. Calhoun's speeches make good read ing even at the present day, while, on the other hand, those of his great rival, Mr. Clay, are rarely read by any one. Miss Martineau describes Mr. Calhoun's appear ance in the Senate and his style of speaking as follows: "Mr. Calhoun's countenance first fixed my attention; the splendid eye, the straight forehead, surmounted by a load of stiff, upright, dark hair, the stern brow, the inflexible mouth, — it is one of the most re markable heads in the country." It has been said by another that a word is a living thing. Certain it is that a word is a power. Did it ever occur to you that there are certain words, expressions, and appella tions, that by common consent have been appropriated and applied to some men so exclusively, that when we repeat them, we think of them and of them only? Speak forth the words, champion of slavery, the advocate of State-rights, the great Caro linian, the great nullifier, and instantly there stands before you the tall, slender form of Calhoun, with his brilliant black eye, and with his hair brushed back and falling about his temples; — and then you think of his nervous, impetuous style of oratory, his rapid enunciation, his intense earnestness, his incisive logic, and his splendid vindica tion of the rights of the States. Speak forth the words, the Father of the American Sys tem, the author of the Missouri Compromise, the Great Pacificator, and again a tall, slender form appears before you, and you have Henry Clay, with his clear gray eyes, fine com plexion, nervous temperament, — and look ing upon him, you recall his graceful style, his brilliant flights of oratory, his lofty ambi tion, his wonderful popularity, his eloquent plea for the South American Republics, and his noble efforts in behalf of national peace and harmony. And now call out the words the god-like Daniel, the Expounder of the
