Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-11-27

INGKRsoLL's HIsToRy Of the last war,
the first volume Of which has been pub.
Iished, contains some graphic sketches Of
the leading men in Congress about the
period OF 1912. The following refers to
a man who has stood for more than thirty
years noble Representative Of the best
qualities OF American feeling and intellect:
Among the feryid and the fearless, to
whom no small share OF The popular sue
cess Of that war Is attributable under ex.
llremely trying circumstances, none Is en-
llaled to more gralelul recollection taan
the Speaker Of the House OF Representa-
tiyes, HENRY CLAY. Ardent and bold in
the support of he war and Madison's ad-
ministfa,iou oil il prompt, clear, cogen,
and authoritive 10 the chair eloquent,
torcible, aggressive 10 speech:-lmpulsiye
and oyerbearng, yet adroit and command
trg 10 conduct; resolute and daring in
all things, without much learning, study
or polish, he was then, in the flower of
his age and robust health, the principal
champion of whatever he undertook, ald
master spirit wherever he ac;ed."
a spirited sketch is gwen Of a debate
IN the 1euse on a resolution 10 arm The
inhabitants of the District Of Columbia,
members of Congress included, TO repel
an appiehended attack;
Congress were nearly alone in the
Capitol. 1t blew hurricane, ioariEg
Ike great guns through the dome Of the
| llouse of Representatives, and struck
down the flag rafting on the top. Distant
artillery was audible, as was thought,
from time TO time, and rumors continually
float as the enemy advanced. The d..
vision OF parties was so intense that there
was little ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS among ma.
ny members OF opposite sides. The fed.
eralisis and republicans did not sit togeth.
er, except few republicans overfowing
among the tederalsis, occupying the
Speakers left, Debate ran high. MIR.
Clay was an excellent presiding officer,
but he could not keep the House always
10 order. Alexander Hanson, small
man, in delicate health, editor Of the Fed
oral Republican newspaper, one OF the
ooldest in opposition, was sharp, fierce
speaker, and attacked sometimes the
speaker himself. Mr.. Thomas Grosvcner.
Of New York, was the readicst debater,
and hardest hitter oil the federalists; Mr.
Castor, handsome man, OF pl3psmg adj
dress and speech; Mr.. Oakley, MIR. Dan
ie Stieiiey, Mr.. Richard Stockton, Mr..
Webster, Mr.. Pickering, Mr.. Pitkin, were
prominent on that side. Mr.. Clay, Mr..
Calhoun, Solomon Sharpe, of KY, (assas-
slnated in the Beauchamp homicides, J
Mr.. Troup, of Ga, Gov. Wright, Of Nd,
James Fisk, OF VT, Jonathan Fisk, OF N.
Y, William Daval, afterwards Governor
OF Florida, John w, Taylor, afterwards
Speaker, Felix Grundy, were leading
men OF the Republican party. John For
syth did not speak that session, nor till
the middle Of the next; distinguished as
he became for speaking talent. Nor did
| Mr.. Webster that session make any OF
the great speeches on which his reputa.
ton was afterwards founded. He aud
Mr.. Stockton were gone home when the
proceedings of this conclave took place"
During the angry discussion,
when the House was sometimes noisy, the
Speaker commanded silence with unusual
emphasis. Gentlemen said he, IL we
do arm and take the field | am sure we
shall be beat, ifthere is not more order
IN the ranks than in this House. should
be sorry 10 head so dsorderly body"
The House of Representatives in 1912,
at periods OF the greatest excitement, was
! probably not so dsorderly es il has since
become. 1t had then fewer members
and greater proportion Of ability than
at present. The debates were more gen.
orally confined to the leaders of the res.
pec.ive parties. The ambition Of making
speech TO be circulated at home in
pamphlet iorm--an injection which seZes
upon almost every new member in these
days-was not then so virulent an epidem-
&c. The country, the Union, its inter.
esls and honour, held that prominence in
the minds of members which Buncombe
now holds in the Thoughts oil so many
The political influences which have been
predominant in the Republic, since the
rise Of Van Burenism, have not been Ca
vourabe to the development Of the best
characteristics in our statesmen or people.
Thirty years ago such man as HENRY
CLAY could not have been beaten in the
popular vote by man like Mr.. POLK I;
nor could q party convention have been
managed so as to effect the nomination of
one SO li,tle known for sta,esmanlike abil-
liiy.--BaA. Amer.
FoRGETTULNEss.v- writer 10 the BoS-
ton Atlas relates the following: A Coz.