Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1836-08-19
*SoCrates.

The following sketches are extracted
from The columns of the New Orleans
Bee, written by "a correspondent Of that
journal in Washington. They are, we
suspect; from the pen of one who has be
fore given similar sketches Of distinguish
ed Americans TO the Public. c.-Nat. Int.
MR.. JOHN BELL AND MIR. WHIT.
TLESEY.
Mr.. BELL has found is necessary to
defend himself, in speech made ii few
days ago; IrUm the attacks oi the Globe,
which charges hin with ProcrasIinatlng
the business Of the House. Mr. Ball be.
ing now prominent member Of lhe body
TO which he belongs; propose to give
brlet sketch OF HIM, with perfect thparti
alily, in this letter. In person Mr.. Bell
Is above the middle size; and well looking.
His counlenance Is grave and pensIve,
Out occasionally, though seldom, lrradla
ted with a smile, when scarcely ever ex
tends To Joyous laugh. HIS tempera
mont appears tO be nervous and melan-
choly, aud he does not seem 10 relish So.
cIely. His reserve gives him the sem
blanCe Of Coldness; but hla feelings are
warm, and his "heart open as day to mel
ling charity" Ia his department he is
always courteous aud kind, and in all his
actions fair aud honorable. What cult
vation his mind has received, am not
prepared to sayy but | presume i: has
been such as most young men in this coun
try receive:
His mind is, by nature3 cIear} ahaIytl
cal, and capable Otgreat intensity Of ap'
pIcalIom lie thinks deeply, aud IS often
while walking or exercising, abstracled
and thoxghlIu. When subject is pre-.
seuled tO his mind, he examines II careful
Iy and long. ill he makes himself master
Of it, and understands it throughoully
Il 5 Judgment has not been impaired by
tue sophIstry Of the bar, and the indis'
crimlnate advocacy Of right and wrong
which the practice Of the law too often re
quires. Hence his decisions, as Speak
tr of the great legislative assembly oil The
nation; were, believe, always correct,
and never reversed. In this situation
questions Of some complexity are often
presented for immediate decision, aud Il
presiding officer Of ordinary capacity is
apt 10 become embarrassed; but he sci
dom failed 10 give satisfaction to all par
ties. This, too, was the case in the dP,
pointment Of committees, in the selection
of which he eudeavored to be as strictly
impartial as possibIej and on that account
was esteemed by all. H. was never
thrown off his polse, or Annoyed by ap
peaIs, and his personal influence was
such that he always commanded the atIer
ton, confidence, and obedience OF The
House. AS parliamentary speaker h,
ranks among tae first In this branch oftht
National Legislature, though he is sotlt
what too dliEuse, and what our Eastern
3 brethren would cal! lengthIy. 1t may
proceed from the afiluence OF his mind
and the deep interest he takes Id the sub
/, ect which he is discussing. There ap
D pears to me, however to DE a want OF col
desccnslon ia his elaborate speeche
r which lessons their Effectiveness ;brt the,
contain, nevertheless, much thought an,
a correct E(ormalioG; without great polls!
/ or eoquence Of stylej it is, however, Sig
v orouS and perspicuous, without any pre-
: tenton. Col. Bel does not often adde's
c the House, but, when he does, he Away
Il comes prepared to ''batIIe the watch an
e attack the citadel. lie is a formldabl
/, Antagonist, and in the field ofarsument
r not often overlhrowu. Ills voice is stron
g and we'll toned, and hlsactIOn neither to
\. vehement nor too tame, Col. Bell is
/. man Of business lIablls, attentive to lh
i subjects submitted to him, never fInchln
e from any subject, however orduous, al
II always prepared 10 act on whatever ma
N be before him for decision. He is Il
- chairman Of the Committee OH lndIen a