Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-04-03

would have lost il, for the objections TO the prn-
cps Of originating financial measure IN the
Senate. united with the real opposers Of the bill,
would have made maturity IN the House.
Hence the necessity Of more tact. 1t was doubt.
full whether his Tariff Bill could pass the house,
till the fears Of both Northern and southern mem
bers were acted upon by the agitation Of the
Enforcing Act This being sgitated in the
House, the Tariff Bill was introduced in the
midst Of the deliberations, and carried by ma.
iority. Then it went up to the Senate. and with
the force Of public opinion in the House, gained
members Of Che Senate who. know, would have
voted against it before this demonstration Of
opinion. During all this time, Mr.. Clay let's his
Public Land Bill sleep on the table Of the House
but with great skill, when the South was paci6'
ed on the Tariff. he causes bis bill to be pressed
there, and carries it.-when none Of US, Ten days
before, had the least hope Of effechng the passage
Of this important bill.
consider this all as one Of the best displays
Of parliamentary tactics which the history OF any
deliberative body records. There are times when
nothing eau move men. But let skiful man
disaIrange in the least the organization OF par.
ties, and he can carry almost any thing that is
reasonable. In this kind OF talent, Mr.. McDuf-
fe i. we'll gifted. He has great sagacity in Sc
Iecting the proper time to move, to act, and to
speak, and hence he must be successful in com.
manding attention.
1t is difficult 10 give the reader vivid idea Of
Mr.. McDufie's eloquence. The majority Of
men say he is not eloquent, and effect to be. or
are, disguised with his style, and vet will listen
To him with intense attention for hours. One
thing is certain, he has very bad manner, bad
| so far as good taste or proprety is concerned
He hesitates and stammers-he screams and
bawls-he thumps and stamps like madman in
BeJlam. But yet he is eloquent, and often elo-
quent, with little or nothing to say.
will attempt togive you an idea OF bis man.
ner in the report Of few periods, putting IN pa.
renthesis as we'll as words will admit, his modu.
lations and his gestures.
"Sir, Ia taump on the desk upon quire paper
avy enough to echo the whole hal) SIR, South
Carolina is oppressed. IA thump) A tyrant ma.
iority sucks her life blood from her. Ia dread.
iul thump) Yes sir. "a pause) yes, sir, ,ryant
"a hump majority, unapPeased, (arms aloft) un.
appessable, (horrid scream) has prosecuted and
persecutes u.s. "a stamp on the Aoor.) We ap-
peal to them, Qow aud qulck) but we appeal in
vain. loud and quick. We turn to our breth.
rem Of the north, iur with shaking Of the head)
and pray them to re',Ve US, IA thump; but we
turn 10 vain. e. I;onsed and hump -
They heap Goals o. :! On our heads with i'm
mense rapitlty.) !H@, give Us burthen on bur-
then. they tax ns oot4 AID more: VERY rapid,
slam bang, bang, l5ae lama hideous noise
We turn to out b, n,sa fac south, (slow, with
solemn, ,nous,ttai alt. We work with them;
we fight w,;a :nea, e- "'ih them; we,petltion
with them; i,o.oa-G c,e and nanner,) but the
tyrant majoriy ~ 20 ears. no eyes. no form,
(quick) dest tIolg 1aase1 sishless, lpause) inex-
nrahIe fSinv ..,. ! IA fhutn ny ~
resort to the right. IA papse) which God "a pause
and nature tave given US" (thump, thump,
thump) &c, &c. sc. This is no ca'rica,ure, but
gives you a better idea Of Mr.. McDufie's man.
ner than could give you in sheets of deserp-
tiOn.
Ia these pauses, thumps. stamps, or sapptosio
pedis a. the ancients termed it, there IL much
that commands attention. The rapid changes
Of voice FROM one tone to another never suffer
the ear to be fatigued. The earnest gestures
keep the eye engaged. And thus. as to command
attention 10 one Of the great objects of Repre-
sentative, when 80 few are listened to, MIR. Nc
Duffie succeeds to the utmost Of his wishes.
Mr.. McDufie manifests wisdom in speaking !
but little, and then briefly, unless the occasion
demands his services. His mere defamation is
the best part Of bis eoquence, and is far more ef
fecti,e than his argument He has no wit, though
he somlimes attempts it. The structure Of his
mind is of a serious, solemn, stern cast. and the
light tools Of eloquence he handles with an i'll
grace.
Mr.. McDuffie is at times violent beyond mea.
sure Generally he is courteous and civil. but
there are moments when he is rude and disorder
ly. Hei is mao Of strong feelings. but these
are often badly managed. He takes liberties. and
is allowed liberties in the House, which no other
member dares take, or is allowed to take. b.