Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-04-17
TUESDAY, APRIL II, 1889.
.9Betters from gaeas5imston
WASHINGTON, March O

nlcatlOnS. vi the aggregate ChdtdCteT VI that
BODY 1 believe have not spoken at length. l
could not do Justice to it in an ordinary commu-
nicatun. It has been pronounced by those who
were capable of Judging to be one OF the most
intellectual public assemblies in the world. In
great men, perhaps, no country can shew many
superior to Clay, Calhoun, Webster, Hayne anu
TazeSell. They are, emPhaucally. the hVe
great men of that body "a station which any or
binary observer with sufficient opportunity would
assign them without hesitation. And yet their
talents are curiously varied Clay has imagina-
ton. ready. brilliant. and sparkling eloquence,
and is an admirable legislative tactician. Cal
houn is more cautious. His thoughts Flow cOpi-
ously, and are stripped of all metaphor Web
s,er thinks not so rapidly is Calhoun; but when
IN full excitement has more power. Tazeweil Is
an arch LAWYER, who seiZes topic with great vi
COR. He is a troublesome opponent, and will
tear ones argument to pieces, it possible Clay,
Calhoun and Webster, have been leading men in
the House Of Representatives, aud their speech
ca there will well compare with any of the mo-
dern efforts Of oratory. Clay has no justice
done him ia his reported speeches. of Cal
h0un cannot so well speak, never having heard
him in long effort Webster appears well in
print, perhaps as well as in the Senate. His style
is more cautious, more polrshed: his metaphors
often better con,rived than Clay's. though not so
new, FOR indicating half SO bold an Imagination
Tazewel's shrewdness and archness, and head
long earnest way of talking, no one can report.
You have but faint idea Of him in print. and yet
there you lose his thick hoarse voice ~
To those five whomI have named, pre- -emnence
woald be assigned by almost every stranger
The prominent parts they have acted on import
ant questions. would, perhaps, entite them to
the first rank. But there is varied body press
Ing after them. The talents of the remaining
are wonderfully diversified. No two resemble
each other IN person, manner. or similarity OF
MUD. Some takers: others are nothing, but
vote judiclousy and discreetly, and are the very
best business members Sprague is beautiful,
a graceful aud commanding speaker He unites
elegance of style aud manner with superior To-
gic. Holmes is witty, sarcastic and shrewd.-
With these qualities he uni,es great command
of facts. an abundance OF research, great indus
try, and provoking Caimness OF manner. Sis
bee is iudiciOus, and well-versed IN Commerce;
he talks seldom, but always to the purpose. Bell
is a grave, disnfed man, who resembles Clay IN
personal appearance, and Is often mistaken Tor
him by strangers. llIs opinions are worth his
weight in bullion. They can be trusted at all
times. not only for their correctness. but as flow
ing from an honest, interrupted heart. HUI has
impudence and talents, and seldom stirs from his
seat. The less | say about him, the better
Robbins is a scholar OF the first rank tie talks
but little. aud thinks the more. You lind HIM
ever on the watch in the Senate. when others are
asleep or reading their newspapers. Knight says
smart things IN peculiar way. | have seen but
little of him. and know not his character. Fnpt
is practised Legislator, and IS almost every day
nut in the chair by the Vice President. He
thinks and fights on his Own hook; makes short
speeches and much to the purpose. The two
Vermont Senators have never heard speak
SEYMOUR appears IN private as man OF sound
Judgment, and is well yersed IN the interests OF
his country. Freiinghuysen is a warm hearted,
patriotic man. generously devoted to human Ii
berty. philanthropy and morals. At times, he
is brlan, aud eloquent. No one distrusts his
motives Dickerson is great matter-of fact man.
He Is not much az an orator. bnt as a business
man Is in, valuable. He works comic sections,
while others are working of speeches. and is
particularly distinguished for his scientific know
ledge OF various manufacturing processes. Clay
ton is a noble hearted, generous man In the
Senate, attentive, eloquent and sagacious-at
times persevering and enthusiastic. Give him
subject to discuss, and he will think aud talk of
nothing else. in prl, ate he is animated, witty
and Jolly He would put company of nissan
thropes IN good humor. lie could be one of the
very first men in the country. II he would take
the trouble. Naudaln is a physician-a man of
fine Judgment and great worth. Speaking is
out Of his profession; but he is valuable bu--
siness man, and inhexibiy honest.
Smith is an aged aud 8. ihe venerable Senator"
He does not 'totter, but walks actively, though
over eighty years old. He prides himself on
bis knowledge OF commerce and the finances.
He is undoubtedly a man Of talents. Chambers
isl know not what-for he is oftener in Mary
land. than he is in the u. s Senate Ewing is
a seIf-made man, Of superior powers of mind
acute. investigating, Observation-Disclosures for
his soundess, rather than for brilliancy. but ilu-
mnatiug every subject he touches with new and
forcbe views and illustrations He will improve
by the wsar and tear'of legislation. Ruggles has
not spoken at length. do not know his powers
of mind Johnston is industrious and well read.
*Iam told that MIR. Tazewell has suffered this