Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-11-12
From the Charleston Courier.

ties and iooA eagerly Tor the new sPeei-
mems OF genius winch are ofousn' '"to
view. ana the fresh acquisition vi taste
and talent. AS there are chief d'eu'res
IN art, So there are master-splrlts among
s,atesmen-altho' At must be confessed,
that the former are much more IastI0ious
than the later. 4 painting Is tested, not
by tie merit OF It's neishoors OF cottem-
porarie., bat by rules as ancient almost
AS the art itself But of a member, wheth-
er of Parliament OF Of Congress, we Judge
not by comparing him Win models even
so recent as Pitt OF as Sheridan, as BAY
ard or as Ames, but appreciate him III re-
ference to his immediate associates. Some
such accommodating standard gave celeb
rity to Lerd Castiereagh as parilamen'
tary speaker, and seduced some we'll
meaning people among us into the idea
that Mr. -, OF Maine, is an orator
The last Congress (the Missouri Con
gress) contained several highly gifted
men: but the opinion, and conduct OF
some of them seemed TO Us, at this dis
lance, so unnatural and SO dangerous, that
our praise of them like that Of Richmond
bestowed on Richard III. must be accom-
panied with bitter reserve. While on
the other hand, by their wise and concll-
iatory tirmness, and the blended influence
of their talents and their virtue, others,
and particularly Mr. Lowntes and MIR.
Claw, rose, if possible, in the affections of
their countrymen. The former gentle
man continues to adorn this state in the
national councils; but the latter is gone to
repose on his Iaurels in the privacy of re-
tirement. Other distinguished individu-
ais will no doubt be sent from various
quarters of the country to Washington,
if the people will reflect how important is
the trust, and men OF talents will forget
how great is the sacrifice.
We might, without t!attery. praise in
advance or two of the new delegation Of
South Carolina in congress. But it would
be, we presume, like provincial puff to
an actor about to make his debut IN the
metropolis
If the new congress steers clear of the
ADVERTISEMENTS of the last, it will still
have many important, and we may say
some imperative subjects of legislation.
Of these we shall occasionally exhibit our
views--being perfectly satisfied, that an
American Statesman, if he reads no thing
else. always reads newspaper
The business OF congress, whatever be
it's nature, nay be much expedited. In
the British parliament debate 10 never
adjourned over from day to day, bat the
decision is first taken. The legislature
of this county, with one or two Of which
we are familiar, do very seldom, II ever
adjourn without coming to decision on
the question before them. The conse-
quence is that on sub ect being brought
before either House, if the House wish in
formation, the question Is postponed: bat
if it be taken up, the leading men on 18th
sides state their reasons pro and con-the
House is as fully informed as 1t could &c
if addressed by every membcr-and the
question is taken ana decided. No time
is given to prepare elaborate speeches.
and ordinary men shrink from obtrudlng
their crude pleas. after the enlightened
efforts Of their superiors. Now III Con-
gress every thing is the reverse. Six
days, in which were made 'the heavens,
and the earth, and the sea, and all that is
in thsn,' would 60 very little way indeed
to perfect debate in Congress. BY that
ime indeed they may penetrate the bark
OF the subject, but the inner covering Is
unaffected, and the heart is beyond the
reach Of nine tenths of them. Take up
subject after it has been debated at Wash
ington, and you will find it exactly like
target, which has been exposed to hun
dred cockneys. Missed entirely by
great many-a shot here and there in the
borders aRd at the extremities, but pre-
cious few in the nei ghborhood of the heart
or the head. The truth is, and it is too
serious to joke about, that the representa-
tives' hall seems to be school of deciama
ton, a gymnasium for the tongue! and we,
the sovereign people, are compelled to
pay for their prize speeches without the
privilege Of hearing them. Some rule
ought to be adopted to check this waste OF
time where time is most important.
Extract OF latter from a West Jersey set
tier, to his friend in England, dated Bur-
ling;on, 26th of the 18th month, 1850.
"But now word or two of these strange
reports you have of US and our country;
affirm they are not true, aud fear they were
spoken from spirit OF envy, 1t is coun-
try that produces all things for the support
and susienaDce OF nan, in plentiful man.
ner; il it were not so, should be ashamed
OF what have before written, but can
stand, having truth on my side, against and
before the face Of all gamsayers and evil