imagination itself; while its control over the passions is often irresistible. In those free states, in which a considerable portion of the public authority is vested in popular assemblies, eloquence is the potent and faithful minister to ambition. In republics, therefore, where ambition has always found the widest scope for its daring efforts, oratory has attained its highest perfection; insomuch that at this day, the best criterion of the excellence of an oration, is its approximation to the admirable models of eloquence transmitted to us from ancient Greece and Rome.

It would be degrading to the present compiler, and no doubt, disgusting to his readers, were he to claim for the eloquence of his country, the highest rank. But he will assert, without fear, that the talent of public speaking is widely extended throughout the United States; and though in a few instances inferior in quality, it is in the compound ratio of quality and quantity, far superior even to that of Great Britain. We may look in vain, it is true, among the discourses of our best orators, for the 'profound philosophy, the splendid imagery, the vast reach ' and comprehension of view, the unbounded variety of allusion, 'illustration and ornament, drawn from every province of nature 'or of science,-for the unrivalled mastery over language' for the versatility of imagination which at will transforms it'self from sublime and terrific genius into gay and playful 'fancy'-for the happy power of relieving the harshness of 'political dispute by beautiful effusions of sentiment, and of 'dignifying composition by grave and lofty maxims of moral and civil wisdom'-for 'the unlimited sway over the human 'passions which fills the auditor at pleasure with indignation, 'with horror or with pity, and equally commands his laughter and his tears;-in a word, for wit, humour, pathos, invention, 'force, dignity, copiousness and magnificence'-all of which the most luminous and learned of living authors* has in these

Sir James Macintosh.

words ascribed to BURKE. In vain too may we look for the overwhelming Demosthenian torrent of Fox, or for the splendid conflagration of PITT. But in that style of oratory which elucidates truth and comes home with force to the understanding; which shines without dazzling, and charms rather than 'excites astonishment or kindles enthusiasm,' our public speakers are undoubtedly eminent. Though none of them may be equal to the most distinguished leaders of the British senate, a much greater proportion of them understand and can explain their subject well. We have not a Windham, or a Sheridan, but we have, in our house of representatives, composed of only one hundred and eighty two members, more orators of the class of Grey and Whitbread, than the British house of commons, though almost four times more numerous, can boast.— To adopt the elegant illustration of this point by the editor of the work, of which the present is the continuation, ‘there have 'been perhaps, brighter luminaries, but not a greater constel'lation. Collectively, we are entitled to boast of as much elo'quence as has been exhibited in any age or country.'

Without following strictly the chronological order, the compiler has arranged the speeches in such a manner as to assist those who study the history of the United States. He is indebted to the pen of Mr. Workman, for the observations prefixed to the speech of Patrick Henry.

PATRICK HENRY'S SPEECH,

IN THE VIRGINIA CONVENTION, ON THE FOURTH OF JUNE, 1788, ON THE EXPEDIENCY OF ADOPTING THE FEDERAL

CONSTITUTION.

PATRICK HENRY, of Virginia, stands conspicuous among the illustrious patriots of his country, and may be compared, without disparagement, to the most eminent orators of any age or nation. For a long time previous to the adoption of the present Federal constitution, on the merits of which Mr. Henry's most eloquent speeches were delivered, the public mind was alarmed with the terrors of anarchy, faction and civil war. The new constitution was eagerly expected as the preventive or the cure of every political evil. At that period no quarrel between government and liberty existed or was apprehended. The dread of licentiousness and turbulence, absorbed every other fear. All felt the evils of too little government, few foresaw the dangers of too much. Mr. Henry, however, was one of those who, impressed with habitual distrust and jealousy of great power, in whatever hands it might be placed, examined the proposed establishment in the spirit of a cautious and enlightened statesman. The difficulties of the moment did not affright his mind from its propriety.' He took a wide, comprehensive, and penetrating view of this new and untried political system. He perused its principal features with intense scrutiny. He subjected its component parts to the severest analysis. His fears and predictions of its injurious tendency, were considered visionary, or exag

A

gerated by most of his contemporaries; but we hazard little in asserting, that in his speeches on this grand national experiment, there will be found a rich treasure of political knowledge, and excellent models of argumentative eloquence. He possessed in fact all the characteristics of the genuine orator. Plain, perspicuous, convincing, persuasive, he reasons with commanding force; and never reasons unnecessarily. In his harangues, we find no truisms elaborately proven; no aristotelian syllogisms in which the conclusion is as evident as the premises; none of the parade or pedantry of argumentation. He at once takes for granted, and boldly asserts the maxims of common sense, and all the leading principles of civil and political liberty. Proceeding from these unpolluted sources, his way is clear; his march steady, assured, and unembarrassed. Of a capacious and powerful intellect, and thoroughly acquainted with his subject, his views are quick and piercing. He has no useless common place. He distinguishes the proposed institution from every other; his discriminations are intelligible to the meanest capacity, and he traces things to their remote consequences with admirable perspicuity, and sometimes with a prophetic spirit. His mind possessed astonishing fertility. It was full to overflowing. Nothing from which an argument could be drawn, escapes his penetration; and if his separate reasonings are occasionally feeble, they are so well embodied and marshalled, that their united force becomes almost irresistible. In him there is no trick, artifice or affectation. He is earnest and ardent in his cause, and his language bears the stamp of his sincerity and his zeal. No playful refinements of imagination, no pompous or elaborate expressions, no learned allusions, no far-fetched illustrations, no brilliant metaphors, no magnificent ciceronian periods decorate his discourse. Intent only upon instructing and persuading his hearers,