The Arkansas banner., 1844-02-06
AN ORIGINAL GENIIrs

~-NN''- osiN NNSAlilIt 5iVhdnif to flt1l Ulc fame of that renowned parsonage, if the fol- lowing description of him, taken from the Washington correspondence of the N. r.. fleblan, be correct, and we have no doubt it Is.
 An incident occurred at the Theatre the other evening, which to me was of extreme interest. Young Vandenhoff was playing the character of Claude Mellnotte. in Bulwer's beautiful play ofThe Lady of Lyons. Next beside me sat gentleman with whom had not the pleasure, at the time, of personal acquaintance. As the play proceeded could not but remark the intense interest with winch he followed the chances of Claude
 In that scene where Pauline finds herself in the humble cottage of Melnotte's mother, and where Claude avows to her the fact that ne was but poor peasants son; that from hls boyhood she had been the object of his adofalion; that the hope of possessing her was the sngie idea of his existence, and that il had simulated him to make himself worthy oi such a bride; that revenge for the treat ment he had received at her hands. and of the contumely and disdan with which he had met his first avowal of love. had neryed nm to the performance of the desperate means by which he made her his bridc- tears of sympathy rolled rapidly down the hne lmeaments of the strangers face. And when Claude, in the deepest remorse for the cruelty of his conduct, made known his willingness to make the only atonement in his power, her restoration to the heme oe her parents as pure as when the crimson blush mantled her cheeks at the bridal altar. the stranger, with deep feeling and energy. unconsciously exclaimed, in the full hearing of those surrounding him, 'sLct up--let up Paultne, you are d-d mtH married and do'm knoac it." Could you have heard it, and watched as did the manner of the stranger. yon would have been, as l was, affected When the play was through, took the liberty ot saying to the stranger that it was one containing correct sentiments, and that the drama would be of invaluable service in establishing proper moral tone if more of such plays were performed upon the stage
 sSr,' rejoined the gentleman, ssthere is no greater luxury than the conciousness of being an honest man, and as you seem to like the play would like 10 know your nameo I gave him my name and address, and requested in return his. My name, sir, is Felix Grun- dy Mcconnell a square-footed Democrat. born and graduated in Tennessee, within rifle shot of the Hermitage, now member of the 18th Congress, from the State of Alabama. and forever a friend of we the people and the written Constitution.o There is an earnest ness of manner about him which tells the honesty of his heart, and amid all his peeullantes you cannot fail to discover sound and discriminating judgment, and an abiding love of country. In stature he is about six feet, solidly built, although not obese, with fine head and expressive coun- tenance, which will tell almost at glance his true character With much of the man. ner of Crockett, he is by far his superior in intellect. l would place implicit confidence In his judgment. Some of his colleagues have informed me that in his section of coun- try he IS invincible before the people, and loved and respected by all who know him. Many anecdotes, which if had time l would write out, have been related pertain ing to his canvass for Congress, in which he was opposed py Whig gentleman of great ability as lawyer and a speaker Let me tell one, although 1t loses its force when put on paper. At great gathering of the people of his district on the 4th of July last, to hear the Competitors for Congress express their views, his opponent after discussing various points of political moment, concluded his address with an eloquent appeal to the ladies', hundreds of whom, from all parts of the dis trlct, had assembled upon the occasion The concluding part of his opponents speech seemed to strike home, which Mcconnell. who was watching its effect, instantly per ceived When he took the stump. after re- plying to the prominent political allusion of hls competitor, he said 1t was not in him to do injustice to any one; but, as the gentleman had alluded to that tender passion called love he must say that comparatively with himself he knew no more about It than did an old aunt he had in N orth Carolina, who lived to the age of l50, and after all died an old maid. 'I grant,n said Mcconnell, s'that my Whig friend is fine looking man, just forty, and not yet married-look at him, ladies, and as- sure yourselves do him no discredt But do say, that men must be judged by their aets-a fine looking man just forty, and not yet married! Look at that picture" pointing down upon his competitor, '' and now look at thisn' Here the speaker drew himself 10 his full length, and running both hands through hls fine bushy beard, gazed around and around upon the audience, and con tlnued) 'sl am, think, a pretty considerable good looking man for my age and inches. and have one ofthe best and prettiest wives, straight and strict member of the Methodist persuasion, that this or any other country ever produced. And why did get her ? Because l possessed that passion which my more polished friend rubbed out years ago. yes, years ago-nine hundred and sixty moons have shone upon him, and yet unmar- ried When discovered that the consent ol her father could not be obtained-and he by-the-by,was good old fellow, although a Whig-like man, entered beneath the roof of her parents, and like man, bore her upon my shoulders from the house to the bridal alter, chased By dogs, howling, and barking, and biting to the very portals of the Church. A happy wife, three little McCon- nells. and an easy concience, are the fruits of