Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1838-04-28
CHANCES AT CONGRESS.

IN this continent. There is nothing
equal to it, here or elsewhere. How
like foaming ecean.how
calm, like hiil-o'ershadowed lake
how mean, like flock of frightened
sparrows- how sublime, like mighty
army Of oaks, pointing, like the finger
Of destiny, with their branches to heav-
en-. Verify it can be compared to any
thing, and yet nothing is like it. So
wild-so tame-so wicked-so virtu-
ous--so ridiculous-so wise. 1t is a
rare hall, and often do close my eyes
aad gaze over the hundred heads that
grow up on the eclipsed vision, like SO
many giants. How various the coun-
tenances-how wonderfully exempli-
fed the genius Of the Omnipotent.-
There are no two faces alikc-none
that approach similaritv-al! differ,
ent, various, unique, and singular; and
all are men Of sense; for how could for
ty-odd thousand fHemen, exercising
the deliberation incident to our form OF
Governments deliberation and a
judgment springing from the interest
of all, in the veal OF the whole-send
a ninny TO Congress? !,
I said in a former number, that !
would alternate between the Senate
Chamber and House Of Representatives
II will now lounge awhile with our
old friends, the members Of the Low
er House; and will attempt to sketch
YOU a gentleman who has just arisen to
Z address the Chair. hear the loungers
ask who is he? I see the members
near me, pause in their commonplace
isms, to listen to the stranger. l see
afar off, away over the Hall, a number
of heads springing up--and great eyes,
fixed and brilliant, stare over the as
scmbly.
The reporters all seize their pens,
and the honorable speaker turns his
morocco chair to catch full view OF
the ample and intellectual face. In the
gallery there isquiteasensation. Necks
are stretched over, and fingers pointed,
and ladies are whispering to their
beaux, and beaux are simpering to
the fairer ones. There is general
sensation throughout the lobbies-the
MEMBERSHIP galleries-and even !,
accustomed as l am to all manners OF
eloquence, feel quite tumult with me.
And / am right glad that admiration
opens to a man so gifted as Legare OF
South Carolina. 1t is not for me 10
moralize. l travel at too rapid pace
for that-iumping from desk to desk,
gaze up into each members facc-scrib-
bic away-turn my car to catch the
sound of his voice--clothe it in ink
and immortalize it on paper--setting
it to music in these, the GIances-that
is my business. dare not soar into
the higher regions of philosophy
though long to say, that all this admi
ration-this hush over the multitude
Of men and women-springs from the
literary character of Legare, from hi!
high wrought and able reviews. Wills
in Charleston, South Carolina, he CAV.
his genius and heart to the great Re
view Of the South. In the annals O
forensic politics, his name is not con
spicuous. He has never, until now
Numbered as popular Representative
visible to the mass-tangible to til,
grasp Of every stranger; but hcretofor,
he has been student, pouring owe
the iron-clasped and spider sahctifiee
tones; pondering OH the past to en-
tighten the present; giving forth, thro
the agency Of the mute, but omnipo
tent Press, his views on all subjects
and treating every thing with yigor
originality and taste. He has travel
led much in foreign chimes, whence
doubtless he has gathered deep fancie
sights for his picturesque pens--tow
ers and Wondering forts upon the ia
nous Rhine, for his love of liberty tt
strengthen himself with; and he ha!
returned to his native land, imbued o
yer again with love of her institu
tions, and ready, when the occasion
calls hin, forth, to bare his right arm
for the domestic peace and tranquility
of the nation.
In personal appearance Mr.. Legare i.
not tai, but he is stout, his shoulder.
exhibiting signs Of strength; he dress
Is well and is very neat in his persona
habiliments: little lame withal, tho
very striking in his appearance; there
is an air Of originality about him thai
makes you turn in the streets to watcl
his retiring figure. In debate Mr.. lie
care is animated to the full extent o
the word; he leans over his desk-hi.
eyes wave about his figure expands