The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-05-15
From the Southern Liteyary

SKETCHES or THE 25th CONGRESS.
The 25th Congress of the United States
has at lat closed its labors and its existence.
Of the good or evil it has done, shall not
speak but of some of those who formed it. it
may not be uninterestng to give few brief
sketches, for the benefit Of such of your read
ers as my not have cnjoved the pleasure of
Witnessing their parliamentary efforts. begin
with
n II. MENEFEE.
This gentleman was n representative from
Kentucky, and first took his seat in Congress
Mt the extra session in 1887. During that
session he made his debut on the floor of the
House, on the Sub-treasury bill. 1t was a
mastery effort ahd established his reputation
as parliamentary orator. II satisfied both
parties Of the superiority of his mind, and the
rank he was likely to hold in the body to which
lie belonged His fame had not preceded
him, and his first effort was as unexpected as
il was astonishing. Mr.. MeneEee does not
appear to be more than thirty years Of age; in
person, he is tall, lean and meagre his hair
is light, but wcrn very thick over his head,
which is finely moulded, 'hnugh he is far from
being handsome his face is narrow and long
his mouth unusually vide, aud his eyes
gray,but full OF expression. The distinguishing
features of his mind are acuteness, strength,
clcarness, and fertility. lie marshals his ar
gnments with much skill, and eniorces them
with great sublety and power. He has not
the lnaglnatisn OF fertility of Pren,iss, of whom
| shall speak presently but he has more
strength, and equal power of analysis. His
reasoning IS logical, but not dry, ard his topics
are selected aud his arguments arranged with
great perspicuity and skill. There is great
vigor in his syle-his figures are usually
strong and appropriate, but sometimes too
low, HIS el"cuilon, though no: rapid, is easy,
his sarcasm extremely bitter and mordant, and
ms defamation often rises To splandor |
never saw person Of his age so calm and
coiected, when addressing such body, rs
ne appears to DC. He stands sell. poised and
un"oved by the gaze Of the House, and gene
Ia'ly hScs his keen and sparkling eye on the
member he IS answering, without adore sing
himself to the Speaker. In the lannon's NH.
hppic he delivered a few weeks boCore Tho
close OF the last session, on /, resolution ia
troduced by Mr.. Prentiss, to exneI rron, ,ho
House member. who had published On ~
fcnsive article in the Globe, he kept hi. eve 81
steadily fixed on his victim, and rolled nm, h;s
denunciations with such biting and terrible
effect, that after wri,hing for some time in
apparent agony, and unable any longer I, en-
durc the torture to which he was subjected, he
started up once or twice to call Mr.. Mcnciee
!, order, because he was looking at him in
stead "l the Speaker. Mr.. Menelees man
ner : always earnest and impressive. He
seldom or never INDUCES in the humorous,
ana Is more OF the philosopher than The wit.
As an orator, he is not at all artificml-he
neither studies his attitudes nor his action:
hu'h appear TO be material aud appropriate.
His voice wants melody Of information. and