The Rural Magazine, and Literary Evening Fire-Side, Vol. 1 No. 04 (1820)

Vol. I. Philadelphia, Fourth Month , 1820. No. 4.
FOR THE RURAL MAGAZINE.
He whose object is to make an impression on the public mind, must first, as an indispensable preliminary, secure the public attention. Much that is said or written, partakes in so great a degree of an unimpressive and a common-place character, as to be utterly disregarded. To succeed in obtaining the public ear, is as difficult as it is important. This success is perhaps most efficiently promoted, by listening with attention to every remark of criticism, whether good-natured or severe;—by then adopting the counsels of wisdom, and leaning on the solid column of experience. If these papers should fail to acquire popularity, and, like many of their predecessors, sink into undeserved oblivion; it shall not be from the want of a disposition to please, but from the absence of higher powers. It is the peculiar province of genius to render prolific the most sterile soil, to invest with interest the most intractable topic, and to mould into the form of beauty the most unpromising materials. For this rare and brilliant endowment, no adequate substitute can be found.
Should every public speaker, or public writer, be required to confine themselves to what is absolutely original, or strictly relevant to their subject; what would become of a vast majority of the tribe of authors, and ninety-nine out of a hundred of our orators in Congress? Of a speech of three or five hours in length, one effect may be confidently predicted; that those of the audience who do not fall asleep, will be fatigued and justly irritated, by such an unwarrantable trespass on their time and patience. Our national character is not yet completely formed; but some features of it are assuming a permanent shape. Among these, there is one, by no means calculated to elevate us in the estimation of the rest of the world. Instead of that simplicity and Spartan brevity, by which republicans should be distinguished, we habituate ourselves to the unnecessary use of a multitude of words. We are giants in profession, but pigmies in action. It has been confidently asserted, that the speeches of one of the members of our federal legislature, from Tennessee, have actually cost the United States more money, than would defray the entire expense of completing the Delaware and Chesapeake canal. Now that the Missouri discussion is terminated, how honourable to the nation, it is not my present purpose to inquire; it would be desirable to ascertain whether the vote of a solitary member was changed, by the endless speeches which were delivered on the subject. If not, I should presume it was a pretty clear point, that they cost the PEOPLE much more than they were worth; and that such a prodigal waste of the time and treasure of the nation, is highly reprehensible. But instead of arraigning the conduct of others, and exposing their weakness and defects, it may perhaps be the part of prudence to spare our censure for errors to be met with much nearer home. By giving publicity to the following communication, I trust I shall not trespass on the indulgence of my readers; while at the same time I shall evince a spirit of no fictitious candour, by which I wish at all times to be actuated.