Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-04-19
TO THE EDITORS.

TO THE EDITORS.
"hsrLrSrs In examining, soma days ago. rare volume
uac'1 inc Drary OF Congress- my eye fell writ
ten Tin 1850 with great ability and eoqusnce from which
venured TO copy the following spirited sketches Of the eunen
British statesmen. Prr and Fox, they appeared in their
YOUTH when first rising emnence before the people Of Enc
land The marked differences the moral characters Of e
ustous men, at this early PERIOD might have enabled su
gacious mind to predict the wide and permanent distinctions
between them in regard to their public influence and teach
not less mpressve 10 statesmen than Others that no power
and sPlendor Of abilities hold enduring sway over the
minds o. nations when divorced from vuous principles and
virtuous Ife q.
"Among the political phenomena Of the present century
a certainty as the most prominent feature which charac
erzes the close Of the year 1885, may be considered Il
possession OF the first executive Office in this complicated
government. quietly retained by youth who has aread,
hsa sne situation above three years Perhaps no time
~ ye neneid SO singular and unexampled circun
$3.50 a"'es nave, indeed in every age, with inexperi-
sncea nand presumed to guide the vessel OF State eIae viii
re q youth and intoxicated with the ROYAL favor
s ey and their incapacity have usually too carried
geant to ignominy and frequsnaly to death Rr, i -.
and in Government regulated as this Ri where s;,
either unknown or at least restricted within narrowe, N
.nan IN more bespoke countries the road political .leyat
widely dineren lhe beams Of royal favor though ~
may gild and illuminate, yet dc dispense in this temr
ate region that fostering warmth which can supply every
herent deicieIcy and mpar every endowment reqnie W
tne government Q! mankind Genius and talents, hovss
application, alone conduct and sustain gddy
ennence In addition to these requisites Mr. Pitt adcJ
by the ustre OF hereditary fame and Of his fathers service
Above all he indebted peculiar combination Of al
cumsances, which, perhaps, than all his virtues en-
dowmen elevated him to the premature poaseuph of the
highest employment Of the State must however, Be cda
Al - -
worthy Of rapid and extraordinary promotion to the
nit Of power and that he has betrayed e If any, Of tho
fire and promptude the hand, of the nemperance
and Independence the other usually characteristic of youth
"Awkward and ungacenl in his person. cold and distant
in his manners reserved and sometimes stately in his depot
ment Mr.. Pitt Is not formed caplivae mankind by the
graces Of external figure address, Distinguished by an
common sensbiy to the attractions Of women is from
that sex ne can expect the enthusiastic support and Tia
masculne exerons which his great political antagonist has
repeatedly experienced the most trying occasions Little
attached to dissipation whatever form il nay
assumes and when he unbends to conyvial esviy
relaxation, confined and private in his indulgence, his hours
are dedicated to almost unremed application to the unc
tons of his Office Parimonious of the public revenue, and
tenacious of the exhausted finances of Treasur BY
preceding profuson his conduct Minister forms striking
contrast to the facility and prodgaty of former administrations
Dnteresed his distribution Of Offices and select in his choice
Of those whom he cones empoymens the nation has
regarded his abilities with admiration than it has
erred applause and veneraon his principles Endov
with talents unexamped for swayng popular assembly,
spicuous and clear amidst all the energy and fire of
ample yet not polx duse, except from repetition yet
leaving part Of his subject untouched unexplained
mated in debate though cold and in conversation
copous in dcon and select in every figure expression with
which he chooses TO enrich adom his speech ADDRESSING
himself much to the judgment to the imagination nd
gaining by the mingled force of language and conviction
ready entrance to the heart such the present Minister
the English people, and such is the impartial portrait Of his
virtues and his defects
"At the head of that great band denomnaed the Opposcn
appears Mr. Fox, and him, coordinate but coequ
his great antagonist, though his friend and fellow
iaborer Lord North. If place Mr. Fox foremost in tbs
list it is that though inferior in nominal rank Lord North
he is far superior to him in all those qualities which demand
or which acquire dominion the minds Of Not
literally endowed by nature with the Of external figure
or with the elegance of and address than his rival
Mr. Pitt he has yet unknown and Understandable somethn
which ervades the darkness Of his complexion and shows
sort OF lustre his satunne features Whether il
be termed smile will assert, but ceaiay
has that effect upon the heart which smiles calculated
producethat Of inspiring confidence and exciting complacn
cy Descended from monarch distinguished by this pecua
characteristic OF his high endowmen far from being like
his fortunate rival Indifferent the company superior
to the Establishments of women, Mr. Fox does blush
appear with the companion of his softer hours phmton
Hyde Park in the first of a crowded theatre. Con
vva in his nature and open in his social pleasures, he
firms his political triumph the mind by his private and
personal conquest of the heart Bold and decided %
temeny in his conduct Minister, he is capable Of ag
gandizing diminishing the power Of the Crown, and q
ustfyng, by reasons and arguments the most plausible the
OF whatever nature, which he shall have
adopt Generous and benefcent in his Disposition placa
and ergivng in his temper his political enmities extend III
beyond the limits of debate the walls of the House III
Commons. Equal to his antagonist in all the sublime taes
requisite Tor the Of empire; superior him ia
modern and polite knowledge, in acquaintance with En-
rope its manners its courts and its languages snerior on
in one requse-an opinion Of his public principle dius
among the people When this is superadded the UNIQUE
uonabe alienation of his sovereign his person and his part
we may lament, but be surprised that abilities -
universal and sublime left unemployed and permitted 10
waste their sweetness on the desert air."