Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-03-06
"A Series OF Poriraits--NO. 2.
FOR THE ENQUIRER.
LEVI WOODBURY..
WASHINGTON,

LEVI WOODBURY..
WASHINGTON
Ii at the Presidents house that was fire, moJ -
qlainted with the Secretary of the NAVY I had TO-
mery heard him the floor of the Senate II NAV he
presumed, that expected TO find in this gentleman ALI
those characteristic differences which are known 10 obtain
between the men of the South and those of the farther
Nors ana IN his regard was not disappointed 1t can
NOT DC denied that the ''Southron often improvident
In their expcndtres-wam their personal attachments
and bosterous in their enmiiies-hat in the en-
oyment oil the present. they regardless of the
mat they are open and vehement in maintaining their no.
'cai prncpes-and that they have strong predictions
Tor the imaginative and splendid The system of .Iaver
winch obtains amongst them, makes them prouder and
more tenacious OF their personal dignity than thew would
otherwise be: the extensiyeness of tIer Jo,o;n .i
habits oil command exercised i'm their cultivation have
tendency TO render them and ascble under anv
opposition to their will or their wishes Hence it is that
hey often maintain their opinions with pertinacv bor
derng upon dogmaism, and that some of them will omar
rel ION The ninth part of hair and nut every him, 10
hazard 10 pluck up drowned honor by the locks" il is
not often That you will find these traits in the citizen of
the Eashaving been the subject of those hard
systems OF education which in fashion in his country
IN which every thing is for gain and nothing for grace
every thing for necessary usc and nothing for nlen
dor Whilst the of the Vireinian is WASTING bis
Strength IN strenuous dlenes his young brother OF the
North is acquiring habits of business and whcinp his
faculties to find out the of future comfort and indie
pcndence, by selecting the eligible theatre for his
manly eXertions, and watching with eagle eyes for some
position where he stand erect and whence he can ;
rect his blows In this state of probaton he is cool and
coected and, inexperienced he is often untes 10 an
aenuated pespcuy degree of worldly policy verging
towards worldly prudence There is hardly any hinS
wch society needs that the ingenuity of our Northern
neighbours Is not ready to supply-rom hay packed in
bales, up standard spelling books and dictionaries and
new systems OF practical and mental arithmetic Tho
truth is-these people, Invested as they are in good de-
gree of the enthusiasm sentiment are devoted 10 tho
useful The subject of this sketch is hardy son of New
Hampshrc-about forty-seven wears of age h;s ns =;
of the ordinary height-hs shoulders broadwbis chest
ull, and form sturdy, and inclinng to the sen hon
point. His manner in mixed society is almost with
OUT grace-grave, cold, and generally unattracye IL
requires the acquaintance OF but moment TO satisfy
you, that this man is enthusiast in nothing =
Ia ms Visage there Isl however, of the gloominess
oil the puritan Mr.. Woodbury. has long been ayorite
in his native State. After practising law for some wears
WIN aphty and success he was appointed of the Su-
peme Judges, and was afterwards elected Governor and
then to the Senate OF the u
His political principles have been unqucsoned-
re Is an unllnehng Republican, worthy successor of
old John angdonand disciple of the school of Jef
erson The doctrines which he maintained whilst he was
Governor, and member of the Senate were decsvoi,,
IN iayo OF the rights OF the States strict CONSTRUCT
ton OF the Federal Constitution For his consistency he
deserves to be apPauded 1t is vain deny the useful
ness OF an honorable partyeeng founded on principle
and whist we adhere steadasty TO own poca pre-
objections, we respect a similar fidelity in others
When first heard Mr.. Woodbury. in the Senate was
struck by his strict regard for propriey 1t would be i'm
possible for him to revile any of those establishments
which, by the common feeling of the rest OF the world
are marked out as objects OF respect or adnra
tion His rank in the Senate was high When he roso
to speak, his manner was little captivating gracious
temper and political courage and in his address there was
nothing artificial or affected He was wholly above all at
epts to raise an exaggerated opinion of his talents Web
cussion and disclosure he acted in his
up to this prevailing spirit of the times He was not dis
ungushed by much enthusiasm of manner He had mn
nvey sense oil the ridiculous any talent for raery
lie had none OF that terrible power of reort-none of
hat ready delicate poignant and sometimes audacous
W.T. nor heartfelt bitterness, which marks the eloouence
oil some OF our Orators and which pours itself forth in
torrent oil keen, unsparing irresistible nvectve He was
no lshmae in polGcsand he could not act the mart Of
statesman he would not descend to that of fcious
partzan.
was clear that his examination of his subject was ne
her silgh nor superficial What he said was without
can't and ms knowledge displayed without pedantrv
Ills arguments well conceived and always so de-
coously dressed out with expression as TO strike the aen
uon lie never shook the confidence of the Senate
by maintaining what either subtle or sopbistical
ne never defined, where every thing was piain-nor
distinguished, where there shadow of differ
ence when he was called TO discuss question he met
and discussed without hustle or paradcwith
with candor and with logical and e vas
content 10 shew that his adversares wrong without
attempting to prove them dishonest He sometimes bolt
ed the prominent idea of his mind upon his audience with
great lorce The master faculty OF Mr. Woodbury. is rea
son-hs master sciences i'll may dignity with this name
is business. He is man "rebus 7lafus neeuds" In
rS"ag report; ms language is apt and expressive
me ceaness OF his understanding supplies him with u-
CID arrangement. As writer his more lust than
delicate: but his style is pure and perspicuous
heard Mr.. Woodbury. upon occasion, when he put
forth all his strength; and whilst he was speaking was
lea 10 md out something physical, which would illustrate
the decided contrast between the mind of the orator and
the incumbent OF the Chair. That of the former seemed
10 me IKE road wagon, complete in all IFS equipments,
ana strong In all its parts, moving McAdamised
unpIke;-that OF the latter, like high pressure steam
carriage descending inclined plane of railroad I
could think OF nothing which would better convey tho
ideas which j entertained Of the Throughout
the speech which was more than two hours duration tho
Secetayd not employ singl trOpe, orsme or conpa
SON The power OF Imagination seemed to be dead in him
or else his master faculty. reason had chased il away
His mind seemed TO be steadily fixed on tbe busincss
which Inc had in hand and in finding out what would be
most useful for his purpose. question very much If
his gentleman were on course in Yirginawhether
his mind would not be employed all the time the horses
were running te riders whipping and spurrng and the
animals themselves elated with the hope of victoryin
reasoning on the value OF the horse in agriculture in war
&c &c ana ms wonderful adaptation TO the useful purpo-
ses ior winch he was created. And in this revere am
sure ne would hear neither the revery of the victorious
party nor the regrets of the defcatedor IL he did he
would wonder how hosc Vrguans could be elevated 10
uc sac OF canorous joy, sunk TO such dependency
ny me result oi horse During MIR. Woodbury's
service IN the Senate, he cool and sagacious His
tone was calm and genemaDlke; whilst the struggle be-
tween the concndng parties constant personal and
acrimonious, he never deyaed from the path of modera.
ton HTdid every thing to inform, but nothing to in.