The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-05-02
MISCELLANEOUS.
From the Mohawk IN. W Courier
RANDOM SKETCHES OF THE TWENTY
EIGHTH CONGRESS.

From the Mohawk IN. W Courier
RANDOM SKETCHES OF THE TWENTY
EIGHTH CONGRESS.
BY A MEMBER.
Far out on the right of the Speaker, in quarter
of the hall known as "Oregon," sits Robert Dale
Owen, of Indiana. His port folio lies open before
him while encountering his daily routine Of cor
TO be called up, you shall see his desk labor under
weight Of musty lore dragged from its dusty hiding
place Of congressional debates, archives, d.
plomatic correspondence, Grotius, Puffendorff, Vat
tel, 81 ID omns genus ~
Do not be alarmed, reader. He will be the last
one TO bore you with dull chapters or soporferous
excerpts Of these authorities. In the silent hour Of
midnight, when you and were in sweet slumber,
has he mastered that mountain Of folios, quartos
and octavos He has found the shortest and best
paragraph or sentence in each volume, which shall
tell precisely upon the point he means to illustrate
and establish; and he will be to give II to you
in the most attractive garb. There are but few de-
baters who can make exhibition of authorities tole-
rable either to the multitude TO the deliberatve
assembly. Mr.. Owen is one of them.
During the first session, Mr.. Owen made mree
good speeches. Of these, the one on Oregon, ana
the one on the tariff, sufficient to place INN IN
the first rank of forensic combaants but the one
ON Texas was his master effort. have never
listened to more effective display Of logic and re-
search in so short time. All these speeches strike
the reader favorably, from the elegance and purity
of their dction and the mellifuous flow of the SEN
fences: but they lose much of that spirit and
beauty which the speaker imparts TO them as
thew fall from his lps No person that has not
seen and heard MIR. Owen speak, can properly APP
preeiate his manner-that familiar earnestness and
enthusiasm which attracts and charms the listener.
Yet he makes no attempt at oratorical flourish He
employs no effort upon attitudes He seldom,
iE ever, INDUCES in sarcasm but speaking as from
the deepest Conviction. he never ui,ers sentiment
or word that can wound the most fastidious adver-
sary,
There was one man in Congress-. however who
yentured 10 assail him, and that was member from
MARYLAND, and a manufacturer Mr.. Owen had
opened the tariff debate with an argument well cal
cnated to tell upon the country and arouse the
dustrial classes. The Marylander was pleased, in
reply, to characterize Mr. 0's views as emanating
from one ssiatelu the subject Of Great Britain .
The retort upon the author of this gross assault is
doubtless remembered bv the reader ~ dom know
said Mr., Owen .swhat the gentleman understands
by slately.' Eighteen wears ago (then lust entering
on manhood) | left the British monarchy, and came
10 these shores. If that was crime. il was one
that has often been committed by the wisest and
best Ii was the crime Of the pilgrim fathers"
eighteen wears ago | renowned al
eeiance TO every sovereign upon EARTH save one--a
free people That is my offence"
After beautiful allusion to Washington and La
fayette whose portraits are SUSPENDED in the hall
one tribe. one peope-a home, not for those only to
whom favorug fortune has granted birth within its
borders. The world claims birthright in America
The world admits Americas own claim to be the
land Of the free and the home of the brave The
free claim this for their coun,ry the brave claim il
for their country; I-foreien-born though BEL
rightfullv claim i for mu country. Il is mine by
free selection. bv deliberate preferences the gentle
mans by accident only.r
Mr.. Owen Possesses. in n hipb degree. the advan-
tages Of thorough education. He is more or less
familiar with the continental languages. and speaks
and writes he German with Auencv ami readiness
In early life he pursued his studies at celebrated
school n Sw;tzerIand Az The internal disoinIine If
tb;s school tolerated and even encouraued ! system
n selr.governmen, amonr Inc studen,s-such as
The eec;on of certain missionaries NJ stated neriod
~ dschsros snccSeJ sn,;es bv he free ro;cs NJ
sach rasr,Ssr e ,hs scbooi1My nwen hec.rne ha.
h;,n.v and en,hns;asticalv attached 10 those 70.
,nbicsr ns,;,.,,ions of which he IL now The d;s,n.
rushed champion. Nor Is il surprising that man