Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-04-09

as BY Madison, In whose school Of constitution.
al politics he is thoroughly imbued. Hence he Is
much more rational. and much less absurd than
no nuIliier nor seceder. Virginia has hitherto
had her eye on him for the highest gift in her be.
stowal, but whether the ground he has taken Of
late will iniure him IN her estimation, remains to
be seen.
As a debater, Mr.. Rives is ready, with a COM
mand Of good language. He is a natural and
easy speaker. He has little Of the Virginia rant,
and much of the northern sobriety. His enun-
citation is rather slow and guarded. His manner
is solemn, correct and impressive. His mode Of
addressing the Senate is so like that of earnest
conversation that he gains much attention, which
manner, by the way. | suspect is the true secret
of ~oratory. Mr.. Rives is probably destined to
occupy a high station in the government, and a
conspicuous place in the eyes Of the people, not
50 much for his talents, for there are men far be-
fore him, though he is a ~irst.rate second-rate
man, as from his being from Virginia, a State
which holds such a spot on the map. that it must
have influence more or less, and which at this
time is 80 deficient in talent, in which she has
been hitherto so remarkable, that any man of a
common strength OF intellect must entitle him.
self to, and obtain her support. Virginia usual
IL puts out her best foot, and sends her best men,
aud as Mr.. Rives is among the first, | should not
be surprised, If, in a few years, the OH Domi-
MON should put him forth for the Presidency.
OF the Virginia delegation in the House Of Rep.
resentatives, 1 know but little. Archer, Boul-
din, Mercer, Patton, and Stevenson. are the
most conspicuous. .4rcher is chairman Ut the
Committee on Foreign Relations, which is an
important and conspicuous committee, and which
Of course, makes il, chairman a conspicuous man
Archer has long been in Congress. He is tall
and slender 10 person. a very poor speaker. low
IN his voice and indistinct, and Of course cannot
be heard. He is also without vigor or animation.
Tie is credited with talents. but if he were not a
Vireinian, he never would have been Chairman
Of the Committee on Foreign Relations over such.
a man as Edward Everett. Judge Bouldin is a
stout, bald headed %nulIifier. who can storm, like
an army, and .swear terribly in Flanders."-
John Randolph is to take his place, for there is no
doubt that he will be elected il he concludes to
be a candidate, though he cannot sit upright at
present. Mercer is distinguished for the part he
has taken in colonization, internal Improvements
aud in all the great works Of the day.
Sfevenson, as a Speaker, is well known to the
public. He is a good speaker, ready, decisive.
and energetic, but a great collar man, and one
in whom his adversaries have little or no comb
dence, for he is at times II icky, and not always
honorable. He is fluent, and speaks to effect
lie has good abilities, and Is among the first of
the Yirsinians. No man can better appease a tu-
mulr IN the House of Representatives. No man
can better keep disorderl, men in order. He is
most politely saucy. and most agreeabiy decisive.
He insists with all proper grace on an absolute
obedience, and generally Gains the House in its
greatest tempests. He can keep his temper when
all others are in a rage. and look grave when all
are shaking their sides with laughter. Potton is q
young man of considerable talent, and Is well
thought of. He is a Virginia metaphyslcian. and
is gifted in all IFS puzzles. lie speaks often. and
makes the best OF his cause, good or oad. ln
debate he is courteous and candid, and rather in
tereSting from his matter than from his Manner,
though this is not bad.
NeVton is the oldest member of the House,
and has been there, "the time whereof the me-
mory of man runneth not to the contrary" He
is highly esteemed, and is generally called
Father Newton"
Craig talks much, aud is a good third rate
man. There are others of more ability, but they
seldom put their heads above water.