The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1843-07-15
The Richmond Wing intimales that
bitter feud exists between Secretary
Spencer and Secretary Upshur.
From the Tuscaloosa Monitor.
PORTRAITS OF TIE FOURTEENTH
CONGRESS.


PORTRAITS OF TIE FOURTEENTH
CONGRESS-.
In the Speech of Mr.. Wilde, of Gcor-
gia, delivered in the House of Represen-
talives in 1892, on the Tariff, he has in
troduced, in a style of beauty peculiar
to his own classic genius, a sketch OF
some of the distinguished men of the
Fourteenth Congress, isis MIR. Wilde
says:
The restrictive system is more plainly
to be traced to the embergo, non-inter-
course, nom importation, war, and dou-
Bile duties. When peace came, these du-
ties were about to expire. A new sys.
TEN of revenue was to be devised, and
the manufacturers, threatened as they be-
lieved with ruin, earnestly and humbly
entreated that the amount required as re-
venue should be imposed as to enable
them to stand the shock.
1t was under such circumstances that
the Fourteenth Congress assembled. At
that time had the honor to be member
of this House. 1t was an honor then.
What it is now, shall not say. II is
what the Twenty-second Congress have
been pleased TO make it, have neither
time, Eor strength, nor ability, to speak of
the legislators of that day, as they de-
serve; nor is this the fit occasion, Yet
the coolest or most careless nature, can
not recur to such associates; without
some touch Of generous feeling, which
the quicker spirits; would kindle into
high and almost holy enthusiasm.
LOWNDES.
Pre-eminen:ly-yet not more proudly
than humbly pre-eminent-among them,
was a gentleman frrm South Carolina,
now no more, the purest, the calmest,
the most philosophical of our country's
modern statesmen One no less remark
able for gentleness of manners, and kind
ness of heart, than for that passonless,
unclouded intellect, which rendered him
deserving of the praise-il' ever man de-
served it-of merely standing by and
letting reason argue for him. The true
patriot, incapable Of all selfish ambition,
who Stunned Office and distinction, yet
served his country faithfully, because he
loved her. He, mean, who consecrated,
by his example, the noble precept, so en-
tirely his own, that the first station in the
republic was neither to be sought after
nor declined-a sentiment so just and so
happily expressed, that ii continues to be
repeated, because it cannot be improved.
PINCKNEY.
There was, also, gentleman from
Ma, yland whose ashes now slumbers in
your cemetry. 1t is not long since |
stood by his tomb, and recalled him, as
he was then, in all the pride and power
of his countrymen and contemporaries,
as jurist and statesman, first as an ora
tor, he was, if not truly eloquent, the
prince of rhetoricians. Nor did the
soundness of his logic suffer any thing.
by a comparison with the richness and
classical purity of the language in which
he copiously poured forth those fgnra-
tive illustrations OF his argument, which
enforced while they adorned it. But let
others pronounce his eulogy. ! must not
feel as if his mighty spirit still haunted
the scence of its triulnphs, and when ]
dared to wrong them, Indignantly re.
buked me.
These names have become historical.
There were others, of whom it is more
difficult to speak, because yet within the
reach of praise or envy. For one who
was, or aspired to be, a politician, it
would be prudent, perhaps wise. to avoid
all mention of these men, Their acts.
their words, their thoughts, their very
looks, have become subjects of party
controversy. But he whose ambition is
of higher or lower order, has no need
of such reserve. Talent is Of no party
exclusively, nor is justice.
RANDOLPH.
Among them, but not of them, in the
fearful and solitary subIimity of genius,
stood gentleman from Virginia-whom
1t were superlluous to designate. Whose
speeches were universally read. Whose
satire was universally feared. Upon
whose accents did this habitually lis,less
and unlistening House hang, so lrequent-
ly, with wrapt attention. Whose fame
was identified with that body for so long
period2 Who was more dexterious
debater2 A ripper scholar2 Better verscd
in the politics of our country? Or deep
err read in the history of others2 Above
all, who was more thoroughly imbued
with the idiom of the English language
-more completely master of its str ength,
and beauty, and delicacy2 Or more ca
pable of breathing thoughts of fame in
words of magic, and tones of silver
CALHOUN.
There was, also, son of South Caro-
lima, still in the service of the Republic,
then, doubleday, the most influential
members of this House. With genius
eminen,ly metaphysical, he applied to po-
litics his habits of analysis, abstraction,
and thus gave to the problems of Govern
ment something of that grandeur which