New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1842-05-05

Editorial Correspondence. wA.HISeros, May 2, 1912
The secession of DAsrrL WEBSTER and HENRY
CLAY from its floor could not but be felt as loss
by any legislative assembly; yet think there can
be little question that the Senate of the United
States i. at this moment the most dgnihcd and
(for its numbers) most able deliberaivc body IN
the world. ! propose, from my narrow perch IN
the Reporters Gallery, while a lively and earnest
debate on an important point of order Is IN pro-
gre.s to give few hasy personal sketches OF
some of the prominent Senators.
JOHN J. CRlTTrNDEY of Kentucky consider
the most brilliant and forcblc dcbater the floor.
In personal appearance. he is of medium hight and
size of cheerful and aifsbc demeanor, strongly in
dicatve of benevolence and good nature He first
became known to the country member of the
Kentucky House. Of which be was for several
wears Speaker, until thence chosen a Senator OF
the United States some six or eight years ago. he
remained in the Senate till the 18th of March, 1910.
when he ~a. selected Attorney General by
President Harrison, which post he resigned in the
August following, and was unanimously reelected
10 the Senate in January last, his political opro-
nents uniting in his support. Few public men
have ever nloyed more general and hearty esteem
from all parties.
Mr.. Crittcnden ia neither a frequent nor re-
markedly infrequent speaker; but when question
is presented which he feels constrained 10 discuss
he throws his whole soul into the effort. Areu-
mcn, persuasion, eoqucnce, humor and sarcasm
are poured forth in animated, impetsous tor
rent, vet with grace and finish rarely surpassed
in the capitol. His sparkling wit is blended with
a manly sense. IA keen shrcwdness, a kindly hearth
ness, which render his speechc. at once effective
and rncv and when he rises TO discuss the dryest
abstraction the most barren point of order AT
Senators, reporters and spectator. arouse their
lsded faculties and rejoice in the confident and
never disappointed expectation that they are at
last to hear something worth listening to- The
buoyant spirit in which the orator speaks i. COM
muncatcd sympathetically to his hearers; grave
Senators opposed have hard work to smother a
laugh at the exposure of their own absurdilies
md Humor lubricatd. the understanding, while
vigorous, piercing Argument follows closely and
viii not be resisted Mr. Crihendcn'. efficiency
az debatcr is a striking proof not merely of his
own ability, bat of the boundlcss Influence of
Chair the south angle of the Chamber Mr. c.
has reached the full maturity OF life; his hair is
streaked with silver, though his frame is erect and
his step elastic His age is probably near 90.
SiLas WRIGHT of New.Nork is probably the
keenest logician in the Senate As he rises, tall
and portly, and hi. ruddy coun,enance becomes
prominent at the Yves, side of the Chamber, near
the entrance, directly in front of the Chair, and
Won hear him drawl out in a tame nasal Yankee
twang, 1" Mr.. President" the first impression OF =
stranger doubtle. is that a man of ordinary mind
and very little power a. deba,er has obtained the
aoor This isa decided mistake Mr.. Wright j.
the MAX OF Pausibihty. Immovaby calm and
impossible, the Talleyraud Of the Forum. he would
argue a sccondra,e point Of order and apnonpcc
an invasion of the country in the same unimpa.
stoned tone and masner This infexible calm,es.
i. of great value not merely TO himself and his
cause. bu, to the Senate. Fiercer spirits are re-
buked and chastened by it. and the temper and
dignity OF Senatorial discussion guarded and pre-
served.
SO keen casuis, is apt 20 be unfair in his state
ments and Positions but Mr. Wright's manner
rarely into untairness never TO PePable mis-
statement Of the point at issue or an opponent :
argument. His skill lies in that easy imPerccPti-
bic gliding the weak points OF his own and the
strong of the adverse positon-in sliding trom
the essential ground that cannot De defended, TO the
nor. essential which can be, without seeming to
move at all Tie will Prove YOU the Sub-Trsasury,
for instance, to BE- something, any thing. nothing
according to the exigencies Of the case. Pooniu.
could only make shifting and impalpasle cloud
present the form of whale or any thing else bu,
S,la, would do the same with the Palisades or the
Capitol. The Public Lands necessary or not
necessary to the Treasury, as suits the necessities