Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1839-07-30

for had understood, that at the Barbecue we )
would be regaled with their political creeds, n
by way of desart, after having Toasted our r
selves upon beef mutton, and shoat, and such a
ike substantial Diet. BY occasionally increas-
ing the speed Of my horse until ] had gained !
the front of the line of march, then again slack
ening his gait until fell in the rear, was soon
able to ascertain who were candidates, and ;
observe their manners and pecu arities. The
first of these gentlemen whom shall notice,
| was quiet and unobtrusive; with little to say
and when he ventured a remark, he did it with I
great precision and accuracy, both il the selec-
ton of his phrases, and the significant motion
Of the extended Sorefnger Of his right hand.
He was an Indifferent equestrian, and from
| his manner of riding / judged he was more
anxious to get along than his horse, for his
| head and shoulders were inclined forward IN
advance of the pomel of the saddle, and he
dealt out the thumps to his horses sides with
wonderful hberality; though not democrat,
/ OBJ erved that he rode without spurs. Save
ing, and excepting his style of riding, the ap-
pearance of this gentleman was genteel and
dignified. In person, he was small, but COM
4 IT.
ing much fatigue. His features, when not
enlivened by social conversation, were rigid
and severe, and marked with deep thought and
laborious research; and there was an express
sion about his mouth and brow, that plainly said |
to his political antagonist, "be cautious about
your premises and Deductions, or ioiU scatter I
Them like cllatF before the acind." His eye was
dark hazel, quick and piercing, and his whole |
countenance showed much frmness, dignity, |
and intelligence. On Subjects of social ma
ture he was mild and complaisant, but upon
grave questions his mind accorded well with
n the decision and energy of his face. Near the
centre of the cavalcade rode one of his politi-
cal rivals, earnestly engaged in delivering his
# views on Southern policy, to some twelve or
fifteen persons, who could distinctly hear his
" clear and sonorous voice, notwithstanding the
occasional clankIng of stlrrups and the sound
of the horses hoofs upon the dry ground. He
d gestured principally with his right arm, move
v ing it gracefully in a horizontal direction with
a his body, and not unlike the husbandman scat
= tering his grain upon the earth in seed time,
IT occasionally making sweep around him, de-
scribing circle of about eight feet IN dame
ter. This gentleman, in personal appearance,
was in factthe antipode ofthe one first mention
ed; they were as dismar npolitics as in person.
The animal which he strobe, had seen much
y service. | judged from its resigned aspect and
rs solemn gait, that like a sensible horse, it had
Sc taken a cooland philosophical view of its stu
,a ton IN life. Its burthen was not light, nor
were its saddle bags easy, for like the riders
Y head, they were crowded with pol teal lore !;
ne nevertheless, it had determined to iog on
On through this vale of misery, having less regard
70 to the distance it should travel, than to the
regularity and clrcumspection of its gaits.-
d There was no discord between the horse and
q Cd Nh
al other as tremendously as clock work. He was
used to the beast, and the beast was used 10
him. and as he knew well the settled policy of
U, the animal, | presume he thought it unneces-
Id sarv to interfere with HIM. How important
[e lesson might mankind draw from this incident;
- first, to understand each other 1ceil and then to
conform to each others uie1os and aciSheS. This
nu gentleman sat erect in his saddle. He was
lal much above the ordinary height of men, with
; a large and well proportional frame. Had the
d size and mettle of the steed comported with the
stately frame and brawney shoulders of the
rider, he would have reminded one of C9ur de
lion when he entered the lists of the tourna-
ment. He was neither lean nor fat; lean
Y. enough however, to be intellectual and fat
IT. enough to look comfortable and respectable
a Were he sufficiently aristocratical to permit
" Monroe to fit him out with full suit of black,
US he would be decidedly the best looking man in
sc the county. His person was digniied and
"a commanding, and for one so democraticallv
dressed, easy and graceful IN his carriage. The
compression of his lips, and the expression of
~ his eye, indicate man of much perseverance
ne and decision of character-and should Judge
of that he held TO the same political creed now
n with which he first started in the woodland
that he viii die in the faith, notwithstanding
&c he may give his support to some measures of
ut his party, rather than forsake ii, which his
Mt principles do not warrant. Whether right or
wrong his is entitled to the merit of consistency:
and if wrong he is about as well off as the rest
us of mankind. We viii let him pass on to the
al Barbecue and entertain his listeners with his
IN views upon Southern policy.
r. Some distance IN the rear with some t 20 or
= three very democratic looking personages, rode
"a a third candidate for the Legislature, 1T was
n wihmuch difficulty and humping of his horses
I'd sides, and twitchng of his bride rein, that he
ut was able to keep up with the rear division. |
am indebted for my acquaintance with this
gentleman, to the enthusiastic and flrcible
lie manner in which heard him use the words
it synonymous letter.; Editor of the De7nocratr
I'd Bel toeGtheES Of Columbus - and phrases of
similar character, the import of which did
not at that tune understand. He reminded me
of one who had seen better DAYS; or an old
Virginia mansion with its roof shattered IFS
weather-boards beat off, and the wine cellar
broken up. His personal appearance never
theless, is decidedly good-hs frame stout and
muscular-his features strong, manly and in
tellectual; yet they wear Responding express
Z. sion, and speak of time misspent, and energies
badly directed. His great idol is democracy:
and he would worship at its shrine with the deVo-
ton OF Delphic Priest, though his body starved
during the performance of The rites. | should
Judge that too great thirst for political dis
tlnction had been the fatal rock upon which he
had been wrecked. His political creed, demo-
cTGcy lnadul Grated and running over alittle,un-
IN btedly accorde with the feelings and vague
If notions of the great mass of mankind but
he has failed to realize his hopes, for the want
y ofthat indescribable something whichis neces-
II sary TO enlist public sentiment in his favor
ne Hope deferred maketh the heart sick - and
he service for a party whose banner promises
!. SpoilS TO the uictor, without realizing either
~ loaves or fishes. would dishearten any other
De than devout and faithful soldier. This gen.
tleman rode an animal which forcibly reminded
,e- me of verse learned when a school boy,
nd that involuntarialy came to my mind so soon
= as fixed my eyes upon it, though had moi
IN thought of the lines since was an urchin =
VS.
or "Pity the sorrows of a poor old horse,
- whose trembling limbs have borne him tc
'oo your door