As he proceeded, however, and they observed how deeply he was moving the audience, they may have had to keep up their courage by reflecting that speeches in Congress rarely change votes.

They are intended to be read by the public outside, which is not under the spell of the orator or the crowd.

But when Fisher Ames, after what must have seemed to them a whirlwind speech, closed with these solemn, restrained words, they must have doubted whether their victory was won: Even the minutes I have spent in expostulating, have their value [he said] because they protract the crisis and the short period in which alone we may resolve to escape it.

Yet I have, perhaps, as little personal interest in the event as any one here.

There is, I believe, no member, who will not think his chance to be a witness of the consequences greater than mine.