Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-03-16
THE UNITED STATES SENATE.
GEN. HOUSTON.


Our readers are aware that the new State Of
Texas, upon coming into the Union, has elected
Gen. Samuel Houston, one Of the u. s. Senators
from that State.
The Senate of the United States, as its num-
bers are increased, seems TO have lost much of
TINT dignifed and deliberative character for which
1t has been so long and Justly celebrated. There
are many OF its members, it is true, who still re.
tain the ancient characteristics of the vene rabe
body TO which they belong, and wear their Sena-
torial robes with more than Roman dignity and
grace. These men yet remain, firm and unmov.
ed, amid the roaring s,rges of popular Glamour,
like rocks upon the shore, which, if they can
not subdue, at least resist with immoveabe
strength, the bosterous waves which dash them
selves in i.npotent fury at their base. But there
are others, and they, unhapPily not few in mum.
Der, who, deeply mbued with the progressive spi.
rit of II radical and d;sorganizing creed open,
with reckless hand, the doors Of the Senate to
the fierce blasts of popular passion, which had
hitherto expended themselves in idle Glamour
without its walls.
The Senate certainly contains most wonder.
full and interesting variety of human character,
sufficient to make il the centre oil universal atten
lion, even if il were not, as 1t is at the present
time, entrusted with the decision Of & question
which involves the desnes OF a nation, and the
peace of world. Sitting side by side, we see
the methodical and calculating New Highlander,
the chvalTous, yet conservative SouthrOn. and the
merry and radical politician of the West 1t
would he curious and entertaining employment
10 examine the individual history of these mon,
TO learn their origin, and trace The steps by which
they attained their present gre atness. We should
find here, men who had made the station at which
they have now arrived, the object of Il noble am
bition from their YOUTH, and have devoted TO the
severe tolls of the student the flower of their lives
men who have wished not only 10 win but to
deserve success, and in striving for their oil ect,
have Obeyed the Apostolic A. junction TO strive
IaIrfuPy. We shall find others who have attain
ed their present eminence without much merit or
talent of any kind, but owe their elevation TO a
knowledge Of men, and considerable degree OF
tact i'm party management. There are those too.
who have fought their way upward by every kind
of physical and intellectual cxertion the sons OF
poverty and toll, who first the light in some
rude cabin and were early Injured to labour and
privaton, yet taught by the Instinct of genius, to
look above the narrow sphere of their birth, have
fortune, and withheld strong arms cleared broad
path TO the mountain top of fame.
There is an individual, however, who has just
arrived at the Senatorial distinction, whose his
tory seems more like romance than reality
We mean the new Senator from Texas, Gen
HoUsToN. Certainly, IN some respects, it
not be denied that ne is 4 remarkable man.
His career has been eccentric as that of
n comet. lie first leaves his native land OF
Virginia for Tennessee, at that time present.
ing a tempting field for youthful ambition
For a time, he is in public life, and then for.
sakes the scenes Of civilization and dwells
among the Indians. Afterwards we find him in
Texas, rearing the edi6ce Of new State, and
making himself known TO the world by his gal.
liant conduct at San Jacinto. Since then, he has
figured in various capacities never, however, we
believe, evincing extraordinary talent in any
other department than that of a soldier. His |
course upon the subject of Annexation was, TO
say the least, mysterious, but his personal Popu |
lariiy seems to have irumphed over every obsla-
Gle. In the Senate of the United States, we
fearlessly venture the prophecy, he will not find
himself at home 1t is not the proper theatre for
his peculiar talents. He ought to be upon tie |
frontiers, pioneer of the advancing march of
American power.
Nevertheless. we should not he surprised to see
Cen Houston, at no distant day, the candidate OF
his party for the Presidency. Stranger things
have happened within a few years Let the other
nspirants be on their guard. There is a potent
charm in the drum and fife. The gun. powder
candidate may blow up all hs rivals to the seventh
heaven.