The Democratic Whig. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1842-1843, 1843-11-02

retired bot few minutes to bring III
their verdict.
Mr.. Henry Clay appeared in his de-
fence, and made what is represented
to have been a most eloquent speech.
THE SPEAKING.
On the 3Oih ult. Parson Hanlmet one ofthe
regulating candidates:fer Congress, addressed
the people at this place. He arrived here on
Friday and measures were taken to have full
attendance oftlAe Democracy. The party Or
gan and his partizans had taken great pains
to excite high expectations Of his ability as a
speaker. He was represented as possessing
oratorical powers of the first orders he was
called the Prentiss of Democracy, and such
were the terms in which he was uniformly spo-
ken OF as public speaker, that we were in.
duced to feel no little curiosity to hear the
subject of Reputation handled by SO polished
an orator; we wanted to see how far the pow
ers ofeloquence and the beauty Of style could
divest this doctrine of the loathing and con-
tempt, which We invariably found ourselves
experimenting for it, whenever we have heard
it advocated. Bulwer In his Eugene Aram and
his Paul Clifford has furnished an instance OF
how much genius is capable of eff;cting in
weakening the operations of our moral sense,
whilst the Imagination is excited and the mind
is engrossed by Ithe glowing eIoquence, the
gorgeous language and subtle philosophy OF
the author. We wished to see fit was in the
power efgenius to throw anything captivating
anything ennobling, around the subject of re-
pudiation to redeem it from the disgust and
aversion, with which we view an act of low
swindLng. without one solitary attendant cir
cumstance to mitigate our contempt for its doc.
trines. But we were disappointed in the Ca
pacity cfthe man and we are satisfied that there
was not am individual present. WIN phaA, mat
HIS partikane. ifthey would be candid enough
TO confess il. were more disappointed han any
other persons. Most of them did really be J.
heve thai DIR, Hamet was all he was represen-
ted to be as an orator, for it was solely for the
advantages which his party expected to derive
from him IN that respect that he was selected
by the Legislative Democratic Convention"
OF July as one oftheir candidates for Congress.
He was not known ia the State az politician
and his having abandoned the ministry of the
Meth Church to plunge into the muddy and
turbulent stream ofMississippi politics as one
otthe champions of Reputation was a circum.
stance IN his history by no means calculated to
recommend him to the religious portion of the
community. BUTT was supposed by the aloe
Smiths OF Reputation tina. his powers of elo-
quence would easily overcome this disadvan-
tage' lie commenced his speech by a long
deprecatory apology for his inability 10 come
up to the expectation of his audience. He
spoke most feelingly ola cold, under which he
was sufferIngs ano, as It is hts uniform hG6u,
attempted to be very pathetic in his alusion to
some domestic Affections, which he most I'm.
necessarily brought before the public. sin a
word gentlemen, said he with indescrikabIe
vanity, the instrument Is out of tune: the fuda
storm has broken its cords, and some of its
strings which sent forth the softest strains of
music, arc now silent and refuse to answer tn |
the touch" This was said in a peculiarly
whining, softened tone, and the effect was re.
markable; the people looked around as if thev
did not comprehend the full extent ofhis mean. |
mg' He then went into some generalities on
me science ofgovc-nment, which were inten. |
ded to impress his audience with the profundity
Of his learning and philosophy on that subject.
tie next INDUCED in a violent TRADE of abuse
against the press OF this country, he said that
the columns OF the news papers of both parties
were nothing but the dirty vehicles Of the foul.
est SANDER and detraction, he thought that
ms evIl should be corrected by public opinion.
and that the press should be confined TO the
assc1sssOn Of principles. and thai any attack
upon The charGefe, Of Individuals, ,sAO hdd be.
come prominent before the people, should be
frOa0red doaOn. The Doctor spoke on this sub.
ect with the sweeping injustice and violence
of man. who had felt the influence of that
engine, against which he wished to excite the
popular prejudice. That the press is too in.
discriminate in its abuse of those, to whom II
. opposed, weieadily admit; but it lessons its
'wn influence by such intemperance rather
han Injuries those whom: It uhjustly asperses.
Why should it be confined to tie discussion ofl
principles alone, and why should its exposure
4 public, or even private character, where Il
will operate beneiicially upon soci etybe irown
d down! All experience proves thai such il |
he constitution ofhuman nature, that the pub
q are disposed 10 do more than Justice 10 anv
me, who has been wantenly and undeserved.
7 denounced either BY individuals Of the n,es, i
pure character has nuflino tr fsae &C.,, i.