The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-01-13
FEW THINGS IN MANY WORDS, OR
AMERICAN ORATORY.

FEW THINGS IN MANY WORDS, OK
AMERICAN ORATORY.
We cannot but depreeate what appears to US
the useless waste of time in the House in un-
meaning discussions. The system OF logoma-
chy, as now practised, is not only ffu''less oil
good, but positively injurious 10 the county $
best interests. Mi. Gushing, in speech he
lately delivered on the floor OF the House, hesi-
,ated not TO declare his sincere convection that
in the courtesies Of debate, propnety oil con
duet, and IN parliamentary decorum, the popular
branch of our National Congress was superior
10 the British House of Commons, or The French
Chamber of Deputies. Such praise, IRON such
a source, is as credilable, as We doubt not 1t IS
deserved and we feel proud, as citizens oil
common country, that the Representatives OF
freemen, with all the extensive underlined PRIV
Ieges they enioy, evince more seli-respect aud
greater regard for the decencies n 'd charities OF
life, than the arislocratc scions OF boasliul no
bily, or the polished, self conceded, pehfeS-
maitres of refined society. Here, however,
our self-sraiulaton ceases-and characteristic
manners, negatively good, must give way to po-
member Of our popular assembly thinks HIM
self born an orator; and, because an in
divdua commands words, he trusts to
enchain attention, it may be, enforce
conviction. AS well might the hoarse-
lhroated frog, who revels in muddy marshes, ex-
pect to beguile by the sweetness of his notes,
his unwilling audience.
Months with us are required for the discus
sion of simple proposiiion--reams of paper for
a statement of its contradictory principles, and
TO prove mathematical problem would con-
sumo more time than the composition Of the
lliad, or a campaign of Napoleon.
The few persons in the House who have anx
ously at heart the regulation of the currency,
and the consequent diffusion throughout the
whole country of sound and healthy conf
dence, seize upon the slightest opening for the
introduction OF practicable plan but some in
nocent member, who has not been able TO take
advantage of the bankrupt resolutions TO unload
his stomach, in common parlance, "defne his
position" forces his unwished-for unregarded
gable upon the House, with all the self-conse-
quence and solemnity Of a melancholy peacock.
Measures of State, involving the consideration
of questions dear to the country, should most
assuredly meet with grave delibeIaton and pro-
found discussion. The liberty of speech we
would not abrdge-the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF desul-
tory debate need not be encouraged, should not
be tolerated.
A MIR. Underwood obtains the floor of the
House through the courtesy or Partially of the
Speaker, with the avowed intention of enlight-
~uug his audience on the subject or nnance.-
His auditors catch the words, and listen for the
expected dissertation. The exordium they
think long, but perhaps necessary to full eluci-
dation of rather perplexing subj ct. Some
try to extricate from the Babel Of ideas single
one that bears atfinity to the promised thesis
some bore their neighbors for information of the
orators intentions they cannot obtain from his
words till, the patience of all exhausted, most
leave the room, while the speaker is end, avor-
ing with awkward grace TO apologize for the
universal ruin that has overtaken a once power
full party. All the while keeping studiously in
the back ground the sole m fact that any, the
most potent, combination of individuals or par
ties, is sure to undergo violent disruption when
honesty Of purposa, the only lasting cement, is
sacrificed to seemingly profitable perversion of
principle.
Ofcertain remarks INDUCED in by Mr. Under
wood, they have yet to speak, as the confessions
ficatory Of his course.