Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-03-05
MIR. LETCHER, NJ. c.

Among the most witty and sarcastic MEM
bers Of the United States Congress, Robert P.
Letcher, of Kentucky, stands pre-eminent.-
His very countenance is the index Of good ma.
ture, and he seems to have been formed to
render others happy, and to difIuse good ma
ture and happiness, among those circlos Of So
cioty, with which he mingles In private life,
no man is more justly admired, and he proba-
bly, has fewer enemies. than any man that ever
existed. He has for number of years, held a
conspicuous place in the political affairs of his
own state and country, and if be has not ac-
quired the reputation Of a man Of great eIo-
quence, he has always been esteemed as a
useful and an efficient member Of the various
political and deliberative bodies, to which he
has belonged. We copy an extract, from a
speech of his, delivered whilst Mr.. Chton's
celebrated Resolutions ~ere under considera-
ton, which affords quito happy specimen CT
the feelings, ,an6 the manner Of the man n-and
here we have it:
Something was said by my colleague, [Mr
this city. Gentlemen have said, Look at
the salaries of your oicers! $500! $1,000
$500 year! and some even hghern' Why,
sir, this place is not like Kentucky! the finest
ard most favored place upon the globe; with
the best SOIL the best water, the best climate
and l will add, the best population a little
exctable TO be sure, but People whose char
cter has been misunderstood and misrepre-
sented There, living is cheap, and all things
are plenty. A man who has one hundred dol
lars may live upon it for year or for TWO
years. How long does it last herc' A man
that makes it last n month, does very well
indeed. Why, sir, bring a Kentuckian, and
place him on n farm near this city, and
though no were fine, healthy, hord. rosy
man, when lie came here, compel him 10
remain on that farm. and, in few years, he
would pine away with the prospect before him
Sir, no man can live in this country. He can't
exist in it, unless he has some hope and pres
pect Of getting away. A region, though ro-
mantle and beautiful in Appearance, that is
without any soil, without any produce, with
out any commerce: a place that has TO buy
all it eats from Pennsylvania aud the upper
part Of Virginia, or from Nova Scotia; for the
very potatoes Of this District come from Nova
Scotia and Ireland! Who would live in IT that
could get to Kentucky9
But, sir, there IS the subject OF our own pay,
a subject truly delicate. have no doubt in
the world that my frond from Kentucky, MIR.
wIcKLIFFE,l spoke .feeiiagiy. whom he SD
that any reduction in orr compensation, wac
nothing hut ille tslk. ! we'll know that he IS
not in favor oft Oh, no, sir Tho medicine
may do very well for others, but it will not an-
swer for him at all. Now, sir, ihe gentleman
who introduced the resolutions, and who. in
this debate, has more than once been called
the Doctor" by his political friends. gives
at least this pledge Of his sincerity. lie viii
ling TO take little Of his own medicine, though
not much; but as to my other friend from Ken
,ucky, tMr. WIcKLIFFE,1 so far from being
willing to reduce his salary 10 six dollars a
day, would venture any wager, that he would
moi reduce il six cents below its present stand
ard Sir, the gentleman is a great friend Of
economy in the expenditures Of Government.
but he is like tho doctor, who says. my medi-
cine is excellent indeed; take a little Of it;
YOU don't know how much good i will do yon;
but when YOU ask him to tako ls,lc himself,
he, oil. Now, sir. should like to see the
gentleman willing to take a little himself;
II il should be somewhat bitter. Others might