Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-05-30
rag PORTRAIT OF A POLITICIAN.

TIE PORTRAIT OF A POLITICIAN.
The fooaing sketches are well executed
They are drawn BY member OF Congress as
we understand from the Empire State lie mas
already ske,ched whole gallery OF Congresslon-
-,al po,trats. OF which the following is happy
specimen:
fEJon The o1oaaul IN W Cou7ieS]
RANDOM SKETCHES OF THE TWENTY
EIGHTH CONGRESS.
By MEMBER.
In one Of those exciting debates Of spontane-
Gus eruption, so 10 speak, that occurred not uh-
frequently 10 the early stages OF the first session,
Mr. Wise declared that the last census had
dwarfed Virginia" and he went on in manner
peculiar 10 himself, and with an eloquence that
distinguishes his congressional career, 10 pour OUT
his regrets thai dominion was passing from his
native land and 10 express his fears that trans
montane malori,ies would soon overtime" the IL
mutations Of the Constitution, and hasten The Go
rernment into the vortex OF centraliSm and con-
soliia,ion. OF The Justice Of his fears give no
opinion but his speech made strong impression
upon nv mind II is natural 10 admire and
commend patriotism in any agc--in any land
We love 10 contemplate the brave and virtuous
man contending for his own hearlhstone-for The
graves oil his fathers, even in the far Time and
distant country; and il is 4 cold heart that does
no; ,hfob 10 the shamrock with the oppressed son
OF The Emerald Isle-warm 10 the Tartan with
the iustiious Argyle--or respond with The Frank
10 The grandly solemn strains OF The Marseies
Hymn. confess The weakness il such il was
that lsteningto the voice Of Mr.. Wise strangely
modulaling from the shrill, piercing alto OF Ran.
dolph, 10 The deepest bass of CULTURAL cadences, !
ieli and feared as Virginian
Virginia had given a long and resplendent line
tha vIndlC1tet
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 dwaried her represen-
tation, soon became satisfied that The standard OF
her intellect had not declined; that it lowered still
nobly in the ascendent, "as in her former day OF
glory"
Ii called upon 10 introduce 10 the reader one
among her distinguished living statesmen entirely
worthy Of her ancient rcnown, whose clear intel
lec,, energetic eoquence, and cool sagacity would
elevate him TO an equal rank with Madisons Tay-
lors Gi!eses and Roanes should-diSclaiming
the intention OF passing invidious judgment-de-
signate George c. Dromgoole, whose district lies
upon The southern border, where his personal po-
pulari;y battles all open opposition 10 his prefer
men,.
Gifted with faculties equal 10 any emergency,
,rapple with and comprehends, in all the nrica-
cy ofdetaii the creates. measures with singular
facility, General Dromsoole appears nevertheless
more briIlian, and successful in repartee than in
argument This is Attributable more, perhaps 10
habit, than 10 the predominant cast Of the mind
There are bu, few men so capable, from ready
resources, 20 turn the shafts OF assault upon him
self or his friends against his adversaries. His
denunc atons are bold, and sometimes severe To
b,r htf rP
which are seldom, if ever, contested
His ell ouence is attractive only in its matter
ani the evident sincerity oil his convictions The
continuous mono.ony o! his voice in speaking
Geprives his efforts OF The advantage oil those EN-
Sellishments which the effective manner OF Wise,
Rhelt, or Adams, gives TO their forensic displays.
He is the champion OF his side of the House, lei
who will be the chosen leader OF the party MAORI
~ The House may designate, wisely and wor-
,hiy, Jones or Mckay, but all trying occa-
sions elect Dromgoole The leader. And nobly
does he bear himself His combinations are cha
racterzed By the wise forecast Of Soult and he
presses toe assault with the terrible impeluosity
OF Ney. In unprecedented discussions, (Which
are frequently interesting from the relief they
give to the irasome routine OF congressional life)
he is senipey 2arosus-on the aleIl and seated in
quarter ofthe hall where the eye Of the Speaker
most naturally res.s, Ca slight remove from the
centre passage on the l.it) he never fails OF re-
cognion when he rises in his place 10 address
The chair.
When Mr. Adams addresses The House, and
hurls his denunciations at the men and measures
Of the Democratic party obnoxious TO his plea
sure Dromgooe watches him from his place with
a steady eye and fixed position He takes no
no,e Of the debate but retains every material point
and fact in the storehouse OF memory Al the
proper time he replies, never harshly, often sue
cesslully, always ably.
have ga ia that Gen. D. excels in reparlee. !
would TOT be understood as disparaging his cara-
city for argument Ills SET speeches are charac.
tefized W great power and are models 0! rea-
sonog condensation and perspicuiy of illustra-
ton. He is unrivaed as parliamentary tacii-
clan in this coan,ry. The master Of rules and
orders, his word seems 10 give the law, and ire
quenty siences faction.
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 Government nntrammelled debate Tree
thought, equal general laws and in the elevation
III the individual man above the control Of soTdid
interest and complicated social machinery. II is
not tco much TO say, all things considered, that ne
IL the ablest champion Of constitutional repuhli-
csnism thai has appeared for many years on the
Il or OF Congress. An ardent Wing, now in his
garland ~ the was, young man Of promise
D. in true Western phrase, '',he wheel horse Of
the Democratic Parry
General DIS personal appearance sprepoSses-
sing, and the constan, saies Of his wit which are
beretI Of The poison u sarcasm by his generous
nature, enliyen his intercourse with friends He
IS Of the ordinary stature, not lar from forty
wears Of age, Of lair complexion and bachelor!
His political associates have hit him, on occasion,
as one Of the fathers OF the parry.
Va nf HaiS l,nya mi
nadverted upon Gen. ID as duellisr. II is not
cenicd | believe, that he was once engaged in
ian affair Of honor" and there are circumstances
related Of il, that would go far 10 exlenuale his
conduct, even 10 the opinions of community
where ,ha, kind Of personal satisfaction" is NOT
only disrepnablc, bill odious. am not in possess
sion OF Them il sufficient PARTICULARLY 10 give
them currency. II is comm m remark. how
ever in metropolitan circles, that ever since The
rencoatre, in which his adversary Tell h. ha.
constantly maintained the widow and children ol
the deceased.
II will be readily inferred from the i,fcg,.in.
imperfect impressions that the public interest will
ever frd faithful champion in the person oil
mis- distinguished son of Virginia. Honesty, 81
GLANCE and frankness, combined with moral
coursge which no events or yicissitudes OF par
lies have ever taught fear, characterize his whole
pahlis career. So far as limited experience in
affairs may be perml,ed TO judge.
The regular Correspondent in New Orleans Of
the National ln,elhsenceY in his ia,s lsilsr, says
he was inior#ed BY member - Tho 1cH;an
Congress, that the public debt Of that State
amounts 10 about sixteen millions oil dollars. The
same member Q! Congress, according to the let
ter-wri;cr, admitted there are no authentic re-
cords that show positively how much the debt is,
but op!y sfe. long investigation, and getting
every possible kind OF information on The subject,
ne made il cut at the sum JUS, mentioned. The
ruth is, spectators are very busy in this vicini-
~ 10 depreoaie Texas funds and stock as much
as they can in order 10 profit by the artificial
ab sement. If they can make the world believe
tina, Texasowes sixteen millions dollars, when,
in reality s,e only owes six, her stocks and evil
dences Of tebt may be purchased for song