Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-03-20


yer may differ from him in political opi /
MONS, this will say, that I always Es-
ten to him with respect ifnot with convic.
tion.-Ihere is amanliness about him, a
tone of liberal and enlarged inteIect--and
arrange as well as connection of argument,
that stamps him Of a different race from
the petty cppositionists, whose intellectual
vision only extends to the preservation of
their popularity at home, and who have
not force of mind TO reason, except in one
everlasting sing-song circle. Even in his
errors he redeems himself, for we per.
ceive they are the errors of strong intel
lect thrown from its balance by the opera
| ton OF feelings, from which believe no
man is wholly exempt.
know you will throw i'm nv teeth
your old repfoach about my party feelings
1t don't mention some more distinguish
ed characters from that side of the House.
But upon my faith ain somewhat at loss
for my man. Merely to please you, L will
candidly allow, that Mr.. G--r is a
man of some talent. and should be per-
fectly willing to allow him the character
Ga great statesman, could reconcile the
admission to my conscience. Were l
talking of what HAS been, l might also
name Mr.. Pig; but neither the
mind nor the body is immortal, and often
the latter outlives the former by many a
year.
The gentleman who speaks oEtenest ON
the federal side, is member from New.
Hampshire, whose name have forgot
Ills speeches are what some of the federal
Newspapers call answerable"-which
means that nobody answers theln.--He is
what the same Newspapers, call severe on
the administration-that is to say rather
abusive. In my mind however, there is
no severity, but that of argument and wit.
Mere calling OF names, and unsupported
assertion is not seyerlty-itis vulgar a.
buse, such as the lowest intellect, and the
lowest breeding may arrive at. Like Fall
staff, this gentleman disdains giving rea-
son even though Sc reasons were as plenty
as Biackherries," and if you den't choose
to take his word, you will look in vain for
any other authority Tor his assertions -
Though well heard, he is not we'll listened
to, as the other members of the House
have bad custom of reading Newspapers,
writing letters, and drawing faces on pa.
per while he is speaking. His rising to
speak is always equivalent to motion
g for clearing the gallery" Yet he has
excellent lungs, and were it not that a
bellows excels him in that respect / should
be disposed to give him great credit for his
wind.
81 have made long pause to see if !
could recollect a"y more distinguished
orators on that side to please you--but in
sober veracity am fairly ground-high
and dry-pump ashore-SPeaicers there
are, Tor yo know we fought for the liberty
OF speech, and it would be hard to lose the
fruit OF our struggles. But, it is not eve
ry man who makes speeches, that is dis.
tinsuished man. There; are many men in
Congress that never speak at al. vet who
have more influence, in and out of the
House, than men who make haIfa dozen
speeches per diem, or who speak You for
eight and forty hours successfully, g din
ed"
I" begin to be tired, and methinks ace
thee jack in my minds eye Horatio,"
with that intolerable sleeping look, you are
so apt TO put on when any body talks Sc
we're to you after dinner. Yuu used to .put
me IN mind ola duck sitting with both
eyes shut, aud now and then opening one
OF them with mighty exertion and cooking
his head on one side, to see if it was going
70 ram, suppose. Good bye Jack"