t paragraph below, there is a proposition in the first
sentence and its repetition in the last. In the two following, though
they close with no general statement, the specific assertions used to
substantiate and illustrate the first sentences are strong and carry
in themselves the truth of the topic-sentence.

"The eloquence of Mr. Adams resembled his general character,
and formed, indeed, a part of it. It was bold, manly, and
energetic; and such the crisis required. When public bodies
are to be addressed on momentous occasions, when great
interests are at stake, and strong passions excited, nothing
is valuable in speech farther than as it is connected with
high intellectual and moral endowments. Clearness, force,
and earnestness are the qualities which produce conviction.
True eloquence, indeed, does not consist in speech. It
cannot be brought from far. Labor and learning may toil for
it, but they will toil in vain. Words and phrases may be
marshaled in every way, but they cannot compass it. It must
exist in the man, in the subject, and in the occasion.
Affected passion, intense expression, the pomp of
declamation, all may aspire to it; they cannot reach it. It
comes, if it come at all, like the outbreaking of a fountain
from the earth, or the bursting forth of volcanic fires,
with spontaneous, original, native force. The graces taught
in the schools, the costly ornaments and studied
contrivances of speech, shock and disgust men when their own
lives and the fate of their wives, their children, and their
country hang on the decision of the hour. Then words have
lost their power, rhetoric is vain, and all elaborate
oratory contemptible. Even genius itself then feels rebuked
and subdued, as in the presence of higher qualities. Then
patriotism is eloquent; then self-devotion is eloquent. The
clear conception, outrunning the deductions of logic, the
high purpose, the firm resolve, the dauntless spirit,
speaking on the tongue, beaming from the eye, informing
every feature, and urging the whole man onward, right onward
to his object--this, this is eloquence: or rather it is
something greater and higher than all eloquence; it is
action, noble, sublime, godlike action."[38]

"The prejudiced man travels, and then everything he sees in
Catholic countri