Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-01-26

BEKRIEN-TAZEWE
We extract the following description OF
these Two Senators from Washington letter
published in the New York Gazette.
In the Senate since my last, 'nuch discussion
has occurred on the bill 10 abolish imPrlson-
ment for debt. Mr. Tazeweli has chiefly CIV
en- rise to this discussion, by suggesting dittl-
culties and errors in the system proposed lie
seems to BE acting the part OF Marpiof, deter
mined 10 defrat The bill if possible He is gen.
eraly an enemy ITO innovation. and powerful
one. know Of no man in the Senate. o. indeed
in Congress, who has power of reasoning su-
perior to his. This peculiar power arises from
his remarkable elrarness Of expres,ion-per-
haps might be allowed To say his clear 1t adj
edness, although believe il is a novel phrase.
MI. 7. is often exrravagant in his illustrations
generally snphis'ical & much given to what
lawyers call hair splitting. These are faults oil
matter They arise from the Pecullari'ies Of
his mind also, probably somewhat from Iav
ing been long conversant will legal suhte'irs,
in which he is quite at home. But IN his viii
dest extravaganza, while threading the mazes
Of the most ABSTRACT specnlatlons, II IS never
difficult to comprehend his meaning. lhe
words by which be conveys his ideas are so
well arranged, that there is no labor IN follow
ing him through all the windings ot the most
speculative theories. I'm appearance Mr. age
we'll is rather striking. Hi, features are hard,
aud the expression Of his face harsh and un-
pleasing His hair is somewhat grey, thick,
and hangs at considerable length over the COL
lar of bis coar. When he is excited in debate.
especially where his feelings are enlisted, his
countenance ass: mes an expression nearly al
lied to icrooi,y. Ills voice is rough and some
what broken. inca ,ablr Of much infection or
in onation but IT is sufficiently clear, aud is
generally exer,ed with strength enough to
make it prrfec,ly audible. | have someh Nv
been led from my subject 10 speak OF MIR. axe
well began by noticing his opposition 10
the bill 10 abolish imprisonment Tor debt l.
has been a continued attack by detail, of every
portion Of the bill When defeated on one
point, hc assailed it on another. Like cork
on the wate-, he was no sooner knocked down
in one place, than he rose in another.
MIR. Berren opposed him with wonderful
patience. His STYLE of oratory is almost per-
feet of its kind. Mild, eloquent and persua-
sive, there is studied prtciSeness in his man
ner, and an apparent punctlliousness in his
choice Of terms, which, 10 those unaccustomed
10 hearing him, must appear little pedanic
- But the excellence Of the mater, the sound
sense, and appropriate angu'g", qualified by
manner which becomes impressive as he warns
with his subject, and continued and easy flow
Of words, displaying an eiegan, mind enriched
BY varied acquire MIR. Ber-
rien one of the moss pie asing and interesting
speakers in the Senate. He has one remark
able quality The clovenfoat Of the law does
not peep gu, in his legislative speeches, al
though judicial questions are his favorlte top.
ics Of debate. his is Indeed a rare species OF
prasy: for many senatorial speeches are so
very like the special pie ldings OF the courts as
10 be tresome in the extreme.
hara snakan- Oh Nj AzeweNs
appearance. Inadvertently l have fallen int o
description Of Mr. Ber,en as speaker SO
let me say one word ofhis person. Whether it is
or moi from ofien hearing ali individual speak,
we fancy some resemblance Of his outward tor m
to his inward character, know not: but have
fanced, that could, uniformed, have imag-
ined his style of speaking from his very APP
2earance His features are very irregular; but
their expression is placid and amiahl-, with
slight oloseness and contraction of he mou, h,
tina, seems to den ,te prrclseness and punCtlio.
HIS gesticuation is marked BY suavi:y, vii h
a triflng touch Of cunstraint as If some Adopted
rule 81 prop,iety or f4ncied eloquence, check
CT in degree his natural movements. Alto.
gether in manner and appearance he is one
OF the most geutemanly members the body
to which he belongs.