The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-05-23
THE PORTRAIT OF A POLITICIAN.


THE PORTRAIT OF A POLITICIAN.
The following sketches are well executed. They
are drawn by member Of Congress, as we under
stand, from the Empire State, with whom we
have no personal acquaintance. He has already
sketched whole gallery Of congressional portraits
of which the following is happy specimen. tt
From the Mohawk en- ~ Courier
RANDOM SKETCHES OF THE TWENTY
EIGHTH CONGRESS. e s&osNs
BY MEMBER. ~ Tlf eii Gs,R
In one of those exciting debates Of spontaneous
eruption, so to speak, that occurred not unfrcquen-
ly in the early stages of the first session, Mr. Wise
declared that 'the last census had dwarfed Virgil
mia - and he went on in manner peculiar to him.
self, and with an eloquence that distinguishes his
congressional career to pour out his regrets that do
Ininion was passing from his native land, and TO
press his fears that transmontane majorities would
soon overthrow the limitations of the constitution,
and hasten the government into the vortex Of CEN
tralism and consolidation. OF the Justice of his fears
give no opinion; but his speech made strong i'm
preston upon my mind. II is natural to admire and
commend patriotism in any age-in any land. We
tending for his own hearthstone-for the graves Of
his fathers in the far time and distant country;
and it is cold heart that does not throb to the
shamrock with the oppressed son Of the Emerald
Isle-warm to the Tartan with the illustrious Ar
gyleor respond with the Frank TO the grandly SOL
emn strains Of the Marseles Hymn Iconfess the
weakness, ii such it was, that, listening to the voice
of Mr. Wise, strangely modulating from the shrill
piercing alto Of Randolph, to the deepest bass Of
cultural cadences, felt and feared AZ Virginian!
Virginia had given long and resplendent line of
statesmen TO the republic. She had vindicated
with power unsurpassed, in 1889, the wisdom
and Justice Of limited government. To her had
looked as the "holy land Of my political faith"
Her decline could not regard with indifference.
Although the census had dwarfed her represent
alton, soon became satisfied that the standard Of
her intellect had declined; that it lowered still
nobly in the ascendent, ''as in her former day Of
glory fsg5,W t -a1s M
Ifcalled upon to introduce TO the reader one
among her distinguished living statesmen entirely
worthy Of her ancient renown whose clear intelect
energetic eloquence, and cool sagacty would elevate
him TO an equal rank with Madisons, Taylors,
Gileses, and Roanes, MISUNDERSTANDING the in
tention of passing invidious iudgment-designate
George C. Dromgoole, whose district lies upon the
southern border, where his personal popularity ba
fes all open opposition to his prcferment.
Gifted with faculties equal to any emergency, that
shine the brighter occasion presses--that grappe
with and comprehend in all the ntricacy of detail,
the greatest measures with singular facility, Gene
raj Dromgoole appears, nevertheless, more brilliant
ouCc6e9Iui
il attributable more perhaps, 10 habit, than TO the
predominant cast of the mind. There are but few
men so capable, from ready resources to turn the
shafts Of assault upon himself his friends against
his adversaries. His denuncations are bold, and
sometimes severe to harshness; but they aIe always
based upon facts, which are seldom, If ever, con-
tested. 4y i ,i SIS
His eloquence is attractive only in its matter and
the evident sincerity of his convictions. The con-
tnuous monotony of his voice in speaking deprives
his efforts of the advantage of those Embellishments
which the effective manner of Wise, Rhett, or
Adams, gives to their forensic displays. He il the
champion of his side of the House. let who will be
the chosen leader of the party majority. The House
may designate, wisely and worthily, a Jones or a
Mckay, but all trying occasions elect Dromgoole
the leader. And nobly does he bear himself His
combinations characterized by the wise forecast
Of Soult and he presses the assault with the terri
BILE impeiuosity Of Ney. In unprecedented dis
cnssions, (which are frequently interesting from the
relief they give to the irksome routine of con-
Rressioua life, he is semper parat,s-on the alert;
and seated in quarter Of the hall where the eve Of
the Speaker most naturally rests Ia slight remove
from the centre passage the left he never fails of
recognition when he rises in his place to address the
chair Mp 4t0
When Mr.. Adams addresses the House, and
htirls his denunciaons at the men and measures of
the democratic party obnoxious to his dspleasure,
Dromgoole watches him from his place with
steady eye and hxed position. He takes no note of
the debate but retains every material point and fact
in the storehouse Of memory. At the proper time
he replies, never harshly, often successfully, always
ably.
Thave said that General d. excels in repartee
would not be understood disparaging his capacity
for argument His set speeches are characterized
by great power, and are models of reasoning, con-
densation, and perspicuity Of illustrations. He is
unrvalled as parliamentary tactician in this coun-
try. The master of rules and orders. his word
seems to give the law, and frequently silences fac
ton. $500
He is disciple Of the strict constitutional school
Of Jefferson, Macon, and John Taylor, and Of that
political faith which looks for social happiness not
IN splendid, but in cheap and sparing govern
ment, unlrammeled debate, free thought, equal gem
eral laws and in the elevation Of the individual man
above the control of sordid interest and complicated
social machinery. II IL not too much to say, all
things considered, that he is the ablest champion Of
constitutional republicanism that has appeared for
many years on the floor Of Congress. An ardent
wing, now in his grdve-and, by the way, young
man Of promise and parts--on one occasion denou,-
mated Gen. D., in true Western prase 'sthe wheel
horse Of the democratic party"
Gen. DIS personal appearance is prepossessing,
and the constant sslies Of his wit which are bereii
of the poison Of sarcasm by his generous nature,
eDliven his intercourse with friends He il Of the
ordinary stature, not far from forty years Of age OF
fair complexion, and bachelor His political ar
socstes have hn him, occasion, as one of the
fathers Of the paryi
The wing papers Of recent date have anmsdvert
ed upon Gen. d. as a duest. Il is not denied,
believe, that he was once engaged in tan affair o.
honor" and there are circumstances related Of i
that would go far to extenuste his conduct even In
the opinions Of a community where that kind Of
personal satisfaction" 10 not only disreputsble, bu
odious am not In possession Of them in suffi
cient particularly TO give them currency. II is
common remark, however, in metropolitan circles
that ever since the rencontre in vbch his adver
sary fell, he has constantly maintained the widow
and children Of the deceased.
II will be readily inferred from the foregoing inn
perfect impressions, that the public interest will eve
find faithful champion in the person Of this distin
euished son OF Virginia. Honesty, vigilance, ant
frankness, combined with a moral courage which n,
events or vcissitodes Of parties have ever laugh
fear. characterize his whole public career, far
limited experience in affairs may be permitted ID
iudRe.