Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1843-02-16
GEORGE MDTFFIE.


This gentleman has acquired a high reputation. and
certainly not unmeriied oue IN th, political world.
lie Is still young. not being m0fe than 80 years Of age
and ranks among The first IN tie nltun all that
s,i,uies intellectual superiority. He affords another
ample OF the ot genius and industry uuadcd by
family influence wealth. Mr. M'DGtha has riset II
10 said. from humble beginnings aud perhaps has felt loo
warmly aud sensbly for ms interest," the noble principle
OF gratitude. HIS genus Is SAID, early discover
ed and appreciated by who. by extending hun hs
patronage and friendship has exercised powerful IN
fnence him. H. belongs la the southern school Of
politics which may have SEINE lsngu shed prrscv t.s
but is not, think esned spread Its principles cN
tensvey or soon Ia become trlumphantor successu IN
this country lie has acquired ncrlcd reputation by
ny his abilities aud his course, during part Of the
sion Of 1880 had exalted hm in the estimation of
his political friends and opponents II was marked aud
approved by all but he not satisfied eckIessly
dashed the cup from his ps aud by false step lost
In some degree the rank which be held IN the mlnds Of
his countrymen. As legislator and statesman No
thing can, however impair his reputation ior ability
lis talents and oloq nence to bo quostiuned-
Ills mind Is acute, discriminating and powerful He
Nincessastly. and when his passions and pcudlces
have no excitement, intellectual operations are not only
vigorous but successful lie confines himself To no par
tcuar mode Of reasoning II sometimes synthetic aud
sometimes analytic. His arguments are arranged with
great c!earness, and presented with force Ills views
are sometimes original aud occasionally splendid lie
10 ingenious. aud often makes up for the want Of firma
ton on any particular subject bv has ingenuity le rea-
sons like OF business and strives 10 satisfy the
Judgment. without appearing DESTROYS to seize upon the
Imagination lie is suduus and reserved and deyo,gs
his time and attention In the business the House and
that Of the c,snmttees OF which he NAV be member
with unceasing assdnity. Asa SPEAKER he is fluent
representative and vehement His manner however
- rather nngraceul. and the vehemcncc Of his gesture
instead ofgIying lmpressyeness TO- tend, to lessen The
power of his eoquenee. lis action is too uniform and
violent, his righ n~n back and thrrs forward
az IA itrntr III H. H.,
ker, whch gives hUe appearance of pugilst in the
act OF striking his antagonist blow. HIS voice TOO
wants power and nodnlaon he cannot regulate lis ca
dences or adapt Its tones 10 the sentiment he utterS-
Buf what he with great force and affect on
the mind. He moves along with luency and declalms
with yehemence. His reasoning is often solid aud al
ways ingenious; his sarcasm keen, and satire blhu
lie has earnestness and fire about him that gvrs 10 all
says lie appearance OF sincerity and the force of truth
lie does not dislike ornament, and his imapinaf nu Is
sometimes called upon for images and his UeuotY ft
illustrations. which often Apostle and cIicilmis
Possessing the warmth Of feeling common 10 the south
he Is occasionally. perhaps nicmueate IN LANGUAGE
and extravagant in sentiment and may sometimes -
verstep the modesy Of nature" but there is Dptwilh
standing a redeeming spirit in the operations Of bs
mind. winch throws these minor benshc. into shade
we lose sight Of the manner. IN the syundness and &C
casiona elegance Of the matter.
Mr. McDu1ie always makes himself well acquainted
WIN the subject on which he to address the
House and by reading. and reflection stores his mind
wits images arguments, and facts calculated To enforce
ana defend the positions he may advance. There is IN
M speecbes no pomp of erudun evidence OF mind
s"nnea with classical beauty, none Of the embelllsh.
'en's OF poetry, and no alter pts al wit His native ore
uses moi glitter but eused By the heat Of his mind
ssos OUT not brilliant. bnta uniform and continuous
igb'. which serves 10 ilamine the p.ih he takes and la
rnndnct The nearer the retreats Of truth His s,yl
corresponds with the character of his mind vigorous and
OCCASIONALLY eegani his words are not however always
ne Tnosf choice appropriate but they flow with su
rient rapdlfy. and are well placed lie has the sub
s'an"e without the shadow Of epqnence-,he prncini
"m ftfons OF oraioy and the power of his mind is ie
fnh acknow lodged by all on whom he wishes it u on
erate. His temper is, however sImewhat TOO ardent
think, To give him decided influence as a leader of
rAry II is too apt TO burst in ebultions and To be-
rome stormy and tempesuous. This must necessarily
weaken his hold upon the opinions and feelings Of h.
political friends and though they acknowledge his ah
ify. they cannot always confde in his discretion He
evidently aspres political ennence and this point he
wonh assuredly attain, he TO pursue that policy
which wisdom points He has merely to keep alo6f
from the conflicts Of party lend himself faction;
70 become the instrument of no demagogue and iden-
MY himself with no ambitious aspirant Let him con
snf the great interests Of his country, aside all local
uclces and think and act independently and fearless
~ On the great principles Of national prosperity and hap
riaess Let the world see that he is stimulated more
~ the spirit Of patriot n1fG ltachment to party;
that his great idol p country, and not
v'da'l, .n$ q shs iarsiiisssl nsps viii
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