Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-09-18

gross assembled AT that time had the honor be a
member OF this House 1t an honor then. What it
il now, shall not say II is what the twenty econd
Congress have been pleased make it, have neither
time nor strength nor ability TO speak of the Legislators
OF at uay as they deserve; is this the fit occasion.
Yet inc coolest or most careless nature cannot TO
such associates wi,outome touch OF generous feeling
which, in quicker spirits would kinde into high and al
most holy enthusiasm.
"Pre-e mneniyet not more proudly than humbly pre-
emnent--among them, gentleman from South Caro-
ua now no more; the purest the camest, the PHI
oSophca OF our country modern statesmen One less
remarkable Tor geneness Of manners and kindness Of
heart than for tina: passionlesS, unclouded intellect which
rendered him deserving OF the prasef
ed of merely standing by and letting argue for
him. The true patriot, incapable OF all selfish amb.
ton, who Stunned office and distinction, vet served
his country faithfully, because he loved her. He,
mean who consecrated, by his example the noble pre-
cep 50 entirely his own, that the first station in the repub
lie was neither To be sought after decned-a sen
mcnt just and happily expressed that it continues to
De repeated, because cannot be improved.
There was also, gentleman from Maryland, whose
1Shes now unber IN your cemetery 1t is not long since
stood by his tomb, and recalled him. Inc was then in
all the pride and power OF his genius Among the first of
ms counyMen and contemporaries, uris and states
man, hrst AN orator he was, if truly oleouen the
prince of rheoiici Nor did the soundncss of his logic
Snuer any thing by comparison with the richness and
classical purity the language i'll which he copousy pour
ed forth those hgurove illustrations Of his argument
which enforced while they adorned it. But let others
ponouncehs eulogy: must not. feel as if his mighty
spirit sui haunted the scene OF its rumphs, and when
dared to wrong them indignantly rebuked me
" ihcSe names have been historical There were Others
oil whom II is more difficult 10 speak, because vet within
the reach praise For who was or aspred
to be poi,icihn it would be prudent perhaps wise TO
avoid all mention OF these men Their acts their words
their thoughts their very looks, have become subjects
party controversy But he whose ambition is of higher
or lower order, has need Of such reserve Talent of
no party exclusively; nor is justice.
"Among them, but not of hen in the fearful and soil
'ay snbhmlty OF genius stood gentleman from Virginia
whom was suPeriuOus TO Whose speeches
were universally read? Whose satires were universally
feared! Upon whose accents did this habitualy sess and
unlistening House hang frequently with wrapt atten-
ton: Whose fame was identified with that body for 60
long periol!-Who was dexerous debaer?
ripper scholar? better vesed in the politics of our own
country: or deeper read in the history others Above
an who was more thoroughly imbued with the dior Of
INC Ehghsh iahSuage-noFe completely master of its
strength and beauty, and delicacy? or more capable of
breathing thoughts OF flame in words Of magic and
There was also of South Carolina, still in the
kePubhC' them undoubtedly, the most influential member
oil this House. With "A genius cininentlv tnetnnhvscal
he applied TO politics his habits of ANALYSIS abstraction
and condensation and thus gave the problems of Co
vernhcnt something of that grandeur which the higher
oil his mind were rapid, but caprcous and there were
times when the light which flashed from them as tbev
passed glanced IKE mirror in the SUM- only dazzle the
oeholdeT Engrosscd with his subject-careess of his
wors-hs lofty flight OF eloqucnce was sometimes fol-
loved by cooqulal rprovncla barbarsms But though
often incorrect he always fascinating LANGUAGE
with him, merely the scafoing ofthoueht-emplov
ed to raise DOME which, like Angeles, he suspended in
the Heavens
man from kentucky whom party has since the fruit
lul topic oil unmVasured pancgyric and detraction OF
temperament, and impetuous character, his de-
c'amauoh was imprisoned his reorts acrimonious De-
hceh IN refinement rather than in strength his sye was
less elegant and correct than animated and impressive
but IL swept away your feelings with il like mountain
torrent and the force Of the stream left YOU little leisure
TO remark upon its clearness His estimate of human ma
lure was, probably, not very high. 1t may be that his
past associations had not tended eXalt it, Unhappv
IS, perhaps more likely have been lowered than raised
oy mssuhsequent experience, Yet then, and SINCE
except when that mprudence, natural TO genius pre-
FaGu over ms better Judgment, he had generally, the
good sense, or good taste TO adopt lofty tone of scnt-
nen' whether he spoke of measures fmen of friend
or adversary On many occasions he noble and can
uvatng One, never forget 1t was the fine hurst
oi indignant eoquence with which he replied the taunt-
ing question: ''what have we gained by the WARP
NOR may pass over in silence Representative from
NeW hampshire who has almost obliterated all memory
OF that Distinction by the superior fame he has attained
as senator from Massachusetts, Though then but in the
bud oil his political life and hardly conscious perhaps OF
MS own extraordinary powers, he gave promise OF the
greatness he has since achieved. The same vigor of
thoughts The same force OF XpresSon; the short sentences
The caI COLL collected MANNER the air of solemn ignitv
the deep sepulchral unmpassoned voice. all have been
developed only changed even to the intense bitterness
oil ms llgi IRONY The piercing GOODNESS of his sarcasms
was indeed peculiar 10 him; they seemed be emana-
IONS from the split of the icy Nothing could
he at once so novel and powerul-it was frozen er
curry becoming rs caustic as red hot iron"
might enumefate among the ornaments of that body
venerable patriot from Massachusetts, honored with the
rehusllp oil NashlnSton conspicuous gentlemen from
Pennsylvan (AIessrs Sergeant and Hopkinson1 two
eminent Virgnians (NIessrs. Barbour and Sheney;)
highly gifted son OF North Carolina (Mr. Gaston0 and
gentleman from Louisiana, strongly marked in his cha
acer and IN his phraseology his speeches and his let
tiers from Paris will bear witness, (hIr Robertson)
mlgh perhaps, and ought TO add distinguished fellow
c'"eh towh,inas and personal friend of my own, 10
whom nature has been prodgal Of all her bounes and
who Tor grace OF manner felicity of STYLE sweetness and
heXbiy oil voice, well chosen arguments and courteous
yet scorniu reto has left behind him in this house no
superior and few equals This much must have been
said by any but false chronicler More might have
Iuf I,yil1 ba 81
partially; besides there would be arrogance in supposng
there Is any in this country whom he is not already
advantageousy known those who never heard
and never will learn Of me-