The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-02-01

Of psr,y-ihe morality Of whose principles and
talents are sold TO whoever will pay for them.
lisving mentioned Mr.. Bynum we may examine
the brief biography the New World has composed of
this gentleman. II is as follows "Homer was not
more decidedly the first of heroic poets Shakespeare
not more decidedly the fr,t OF dramaiists De-
mosihenes more decidedly the first of orators
than Bynum the first of backgusrds" This, in
the literary school Of the magazines, may be learned
and eloquent. With the critical dicta in reference to
the ancien,s, we have nothing to do. 1t was, how
ever, unnecessary TO resort 10 ancient history for
loges, Modern literature might have suggested
opposite comparisons In fact the phrase travesiies
McCauley. For example the New World was NOT
more decidedly the dlItiest vehicle Of SANDER Park
Benjamin was not more decidedly the ducst poetaster
who ever twisted sonnet into shape These compa-
| isons would, at least have natural connection
with Mr. Bynum, as Homer or Shakespeare; if they
would satisfy the other rule Of rhetoric that SMILES
&C., should dignity while they illustrate the subject
As to Mr. Bynum, injustice is done to that not very
| distinguished person He does not meiit the sweep-
ing and superlatve denuncation Of this eloquent de-
claimer
MIR. Benjamin finds il difficult to write finely, and
/
the truth Out of fondness for the sort of rhetorical
flourish which the learned call hyperbole he exage
rates beyond all allowable rules. The appearance
| of this propensity in composition detracts some
what from its credit upon statements of fact
One quotation is made by this candid critic from
Mr.. Wise's speeches. 1t is cited as specimen of
his manner. 1t seems, he said to Bynum, you are
a id little rasca"t This, says Mr.. Benjamin, by
way Of criticism, in its brief and sententous ener-
| gy, is worthy of the palmest days Of Grecian eo-
quence." Here is the learned style again. The
irony may be very clever. We suggest, that man
meaning to curse another may use that form of ex-
preston as well as any other We recollec that the
! Wings at the time, considered it even eloquent
| How Demosthenes swore, are not scholar enough
to say But we suppose the customary oahs Of every
language furnish the best expression for such occa-
sons. We doubt if the style of invective eloquence
would be improved by any new turns of rhetorical
imprecaton.
| But if Mr. Benjamin should really desire to read
Mr. Wises speeches, we refer him, for one, to the
speech on the Committee Of Investigation, The
style OF debates is not the style Of orations of es
says But the published speech is one of dstin-
guished ability, and we refer to it monument of
vehement debate, laborous research, ardent public
spirit and noble intrepidity in Drawing the dangers
which beset the public man, who engages in the pc
rious enterprise of exposing the corruptions and
abuses of office. (See speech too, on abolition in
the District of Columbia, in 1886, and the speeches
at the extra sessions of 1887 and IS4l.)
| The head and front, the sum and total of Mr.
Wises offending against the Wing party is his resis-
lance to Mr., Clays political domination If he had
consented he at of
dictator, he would have remained the hero of Wing
applause Mr.. Clay, with defying and insulting
superiority attempted to trample down the constitu-
tona scruples of Virginia. The manly and resoluc
spirit Of the Old Dominion was asserted by some Of
her representatives as became her ancient renown
in the Union. When Mr.. Clay nsolently declared
his contempt for the ancient republican doctrines Of
Virginia, when he expressed himself ''rejoced that
she had voted against him. it supposed that the
representatives of Virginia would debase themselves
at his feet and degrade the State The pride which
goes before fall is exempfed in the presumption
of Mr.. Clay, and its political fate.
To conclude-What better proof of Mr.. Wise's
we-earned reputation, than the elaborate attempt to
dlsprove it 1t is not against feeble men that such
| violent efforts directed 1t is no mean enemy
that can provoke such rage. public man is Judged
by his acts, and their effects Mr.. Wise las dashed
the cup from the eager lips of intoxicated power He
has arrested the vindctiye Of nsolent triumph.
He has taught the ambitious that great victory was
not achieved by them or for them. He has compel
led the conquerors to respect and protect, sack
and despoil the city they had taken possession Of
Rallying around him small but patriotic band he has
defended and successfully, the principles of the Con-
stitution and the rights of the South from the assaults
of those, who flushed with victory, and drunk with
triumph, had thought there no longer any obsa-
cles to their unprnciped ambition. He has given
his effective support to the whom God and the
Constitution have made President and he has refused to
bow the knee to him whom the People have ever re-
Jected, and who saw, pretended to in the late
political victory the appreciation of his obnoxious
principles and the means of his selfish aggrandse-
ment. This is what Mr.. Wise has done, and has done
nobly The mpoent rage of the yutures whom he
has scared from their prey, cannot dcfle his fair
fame. He has made himself felt and neither MIR.
Park Benjamin, nor his purveyor nor even the great
instigator of all these assaults efface his impress
sion C. ..
Mr. Wise on the Goth inst solemnly dscIamel
all responsibility for the prelminarics Of this duel
Who the adviser, and who really responsible 2
Mr. Clay and his friends had better be silent.
This never was made in speech by Mr.. Wise.
COMMUNICATED.
MR. GONON