The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-03-21
MR.. TALLMADGE's REPLY TO MR. GRUMPY

4
/ MR.. TALLMADGE'S REPLY TO MR. GRUMPY
Ma. PaEsIpENT-Pa Elementary usage, as well as
courtesy, allows to the mover of proposition the
1 privilege OF closing the debate upon its merits
will not interfere with that privilege this occasion
gave my views al large, some days since, on this
subject My purpose, at this lime, is merely 10 re-
ply briefly possible to some remarks which have
fallen from the Senator from Tennessee having no
| immediate bearing upon the merits Of this question
ought, perhaps to feel myself under obligation to
the Senator for the notice he gave yesterday of his
intention to reply, to day, to some Of my remarks
he deemed Of personal character. The Senator
was very careful TO conceal the point Of his attack
and being conscious of no intention TO wound his
feelings in any respect whatever, Icoud not, for the
life Of me- imagine what was the cause OF This
smothered grievance. Sir, have waited for his ex-
hibi,ion of it, and it turns out after all, to be moth
ing more than mere pretence, upon which to vent
his patriotism his wit. Well, sir, if have no
wit myself am happy to be the cause of wit in
others And ii affords me infinite pleasure that /
should have been the unwilling instrument which
has called forth the corruscaons of his w.t. as well
as the scnlaons of his genius The Senator
too, in his closing remarks, yesterday, bind
and considerable towards his audience as towards
myself There something in his manner, when
he alluded TO the anticipated hagellalion which l
was TO receive at his hands, which seemed to say TO
his audience 81 reckon there will be little fun to-
morrow, if you will favor me with your company ;"
There was peculiar shrug Of the shoulders, a sig
ni6cant contraction Of the eyebrows, and, at the
same time, gentle wag Of his venerable head, that
showed the pent up emotions struggling within, and
which could hardly wait the Intervention of loug
and anxious night to be brought forth to light and
life Now sir, nothing could have shown the kind
ness OF his heart fully, than this premonition 10
his audience, one day in advance OF the exhibition OF
the wit with which he intended, not only 10 delight,
but eecrily them. Had they come unprepared no
one can tell the consequences The venerable Sc
nator from Tennessee, in this premoniory cxhibi-
ton, reminds me very strongly of another venerable
gentlemen, once knew. would by means pie
tend 10 rank him with the venerable Senator in po-
liical morality; but he was, nevertheless, dislin-
guished phianthropiSt and his memory will be
cherished as long his disineresed efforts in the
ca use of education shall be remembered. | mean
the celebrated Joseph Lancaster. was once pre-
sent when he commenced a lecture on his system of
education, by telling his audience that the sub.
lect was rather dry one they must not be surprised
it, 10 the course Of his remarks, he should occasion
ally be little riHy. With this premonition, the
audience were, of course, prepared for the wit as
was handed out to them, and avoided any Of the I'M
pleasant consequences which might have been the
result Of sudden and unexpected explosion. So
with the Senator from Tennessee He gave notice,
day in advance of his intended exhibition, and
when il me, it neither excited surprise by its I'M
expectedness, nor wonder by its novelty. His pent-
up wit, like imprisoned wind was more remark
BILE Tor its expansive noise, than its "aitic salt"
Sir there is something extremely curious and
worthy Of remark in the manner in which the Sena-
tor has exh bited himself on this occasion. He can
not have failed TO surprise his own friends no less
than he has surprised me. heard the commence
ment of his remarks, and not an nattentive
observer of,his progress. waited with much anx-
etyio hear what he had TO say the main topic his
report, ely, the distribution of the proceeds OF
the public lands; and what answer he could make
TO the unaswerablc arguments OF some OF the gentle
men who had preceded him on this side of the house.
But waited in vain-most OF his speech and Of his
time was taken up in The mighty effort 70 Justify
himself from penny newspapers, for having brought
forward subject, for the grave consideration OF the
Senate, so ridiculous in itself, and so well cacu-
lated 10 render its author sill more ridiculous From
the manner ia which he smote the air-from the
volume Of voice which escaped him, and from his