The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1841-02-12
From the Lancaster Intclligencer & Journal
The National Scnntc Ch,mbc,

dome, measuring It's beautiful conyexity
from the three sides of the chamber. pre-
senling very bold and novel appearance
10 the spectator. You enter the door of
tle gallery above the chamber-for no
ci''zehs loot unless he be high judicial
~ executive or representative dgnitarv,
Is permitted, during the session. 10 come
wilhln It's lmlts-and are at once arrested
by the president of the senate. the veter-
an Johnson, and the air of quiet which
pervades around. If you have inst loft
that representative Babel, ..,he House"
with the bold voice of the clerk vet rino.
ing in your cars, and its two hundred and
forty odd tongues, all in motion, the 81
ence and dignity of the senate chamber
strike you with wonderful force. Over
the vice presidents seat, is an eagle
browning beautiful device, and the star
ry flag of our country protruding on either
side. After you have satisfied yourself
by this view, you step round the gallery
aud enter that directly over the speakers
head, by which you have view of the
senators IN their seats, facing the whole
body.
To the left, in front of you, and on the
last range OF seats, is a gray-headed gen
tloman, of majestic form, with remarka-
bic fine forehead, dressed in full suit of
black, and white cravat. You will OBJ
serve that ne is about replying to a sena-
tor IN the next row, and he rises. "Who
is that = runs among the spectators on
all sides of you. That is James Buchan-
an, 'Pennsylvauia's favoritc son." With
out an effort, you hear every word he
says, though he speaks in low tones.-
There is dignity and grace in his fine,
tall, majestic form; his right srm nails
down his plain arguments, and his face
ilushes with the excitement of the debate.
This is the first time he has spoken dt-
ring the present session, and the whole
senate is still with attention. He takes
his seat calmly, after a speech of twenty
minutes, which has done more TO enlight-
Ell the subject than all the four hour har
argues, that have yet been delivered-a
speech that every man and woman in the
chamber comprehends. TO your extreme
right, and on the front row of seats, is
a gentleman that you will know at once.
His face is thin, and his hair straight as
an arrow. He is now sitting with cross
ed legs, listening, with sparkling eyes, TO
the reading of bill. There is an air
about him Of repose and carelessness, but
when he is aroused, lie is very lion,
and his husky tones come rolling forth
like an Embossed torrent-a perfect flood
of angry eloquence, sparing neither friend
nor foe. That is the great Southern,
John G. Calhoun-the man who led off
the Notification war.
Directly in the reat of Mr.. c. is a well
formed gentleman, with gray hair, fine
expressive countenance, little norid and
care-worn. He is writing you will OBJ
serve, very busily, and seems very much
engrossed with his subject, though his
ear is quick, and nothing escapes his UNI
sleeping eye. That is Thomas II. Ben
ton, the distinguished Missourian. To
his left is young looking senator, in con-
versation with one of the members Of the
house. - Mark his tall form, energetic
movements, and flashing eye. That is
senator Allen Of Ohio - the youngest
member of the senate, and one of the most
really eloquent of the body. He has
endeared himself to the people by his
effective labors in their behalf. That red
haired gentleman, who is leaning against
the clerks desk, with both hands in his
pockets and a queer, lazy, vacant look on
his face, is senator Preston, the great
wont-be-instructed of South Carolina. He
is very eloquent anG finished speaker,
and always attracts the attention of the
ladies'. On the last back seat but one, ato
the extreme left, is senator with his
hair combed back, until his head looks
quite bald. He has spoken on the bill
now under debate, and seems to be at
perfect leisure. He rises from his seat,
and walks under the gallery, behind the
speakers chair, where he goes to tell a
joke to those Senators warming them
selves at the fire. That is Henry Clay,
the Kentucky Lion; the Heir apparent
and now secret counsellor Of the new adj
He is more an eloquent
than an able man; and his course this
winter shows that he is 'fading away"
Immediately in front of Mr.. Clay, on
the front seat, is heavy, dull-looking.
bue-beard gentleman. That is Daniel
w ebster. "the bio Begcar Man, as the