The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-02-19
SCENE IN THE SENATE. THE vIRGINIi
SENATOR'S.
: Tue
RN he Ren0rter Enr fhc En Itinnr put..a

By The Reporter for the Baltimore Patriot.
Late in the evening there was scEsE:-in which
the two Senators from Virginia were the actors
Mr. Riyes bore himself most galantly and molly
ana oy ms independent and patriotic remarks, has
commended and endeared himself more and mora
10 the true friends OF the constitution and the conn.
try. ~ -.%".
As soon as Mr. Preston finished, Mr. Roane of
va, arose II was now nearly 4 o'clock The
crowd that had wedged themselves in the galleries
began those movements which are sure to be made
on the appearance of "dull actor" after a star"
has LETT the stage. The hum of conversation too
arose among the privileged persons on the floor, and
among the members OF Congress within and without
the bar -
Mr. Roane appeared good deal ANNOYED by these
natural and most expressive, though perhaps invo-
unaty manfestations-but declared his determine
uoh 10 speak, and his willingness that those who did
not wish 10 hear him should go away. He was
anxious to speak on this l5th dag of FeJruorv of ali
the days n the year! [Your readers will remember
I VA ~ tns gay the legislature Of Virginia are to
eees y. o. senator lor six years from the 4h OF
He then frankly avowed that he had M ntsn,ion
10 speak 10 the business in hand; but he meant 10
define his position y" ~ "
Here is an instance in which the time. boporaa
custom OF the British House of Commensurate
seHprescrvative in its character-whereby dull and
hss speakers are snmmariy put down. would
nave been OF service Both Houses Of Congress
VIII yet be forced TO adopt something of the Kind
that is easily foreseen-oEly think of man gray e}v
PrefacinS ms Grafton with the statement that Il would
have no reference to the subject under considera-
ton ri
Mr.. Roane was true to his word He did define
his position" II could not be misunderstood sorry
am l TO say it, who have been disposed 10 treat him
with all respect-but man of observation could
fail TO perceive that his position was that of we'll
meaning and rclt feeling gentleman sci on TO a task
by his party-a task which party iealty induced him
70 perform, but which, yet sincerely believe in his
hour OF cool and dispassonate reflection, unexcited
by the whisperings of the malevolence and race If
others, ne will look back 10 with deep modification
and regret.
Inc Perordtton was wRlTTEN-perhaps the whole
speech was-(though can't say)-the conclusion
certainly was-and it was dsengenuous and rather
UaIgar-more beftting such creature as Niles than
an underlined Senator of the unterrfed State of
virginia. do not know whether he had misoiv-
lhgs about his powers of extemporaneous elocuion.
OF Wheiher he was apprehensive that some Of the
premeditated abuses OF his colleague might be omit
No u trusted 10 delivery crtsmporc. One thing was
manuscript better. His frequent pauses produced 4
very absurd effect. After highly inflated sentence
ne was sometimes in the most udicrous tribplaiion
Ior several minutes, taking up different sheets of his
MIen speech, and at last discovering the right one
ms was rich scene for satirist
Whlle MT Roanc was denouncing his colleague in
the deliberate implied by his accusations benp
put in wrtng-kept by him-and carefully perusedY
reperused-an studied he had the miserable affecta
oon 70 talk Of delicacy towards Mr. Rives-his painful
duty, &c, &c = r'
lie finished reading his essay at o'clock Mr. Nor
veil, of Michigan, obtained the floor
Mr. Rives who had risen almost at the same time ex
pressed his hope that Mr. N. would yield j, to him,
Mr. Norvell said he had yielded it several time, al
ready, and would not do 1t again, unless the Senator
rom Virginia would speak this evening