Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1847-06-09

, of the house, which was of course in ses,
lion TO receive him. On either hand, from
} he entrance stood a large cast iron stoves
I'm |, resolved to secure the unhoped for
; privilege had so Unexpectedly obtained,
clambered boy like on this stove, (fortu.
nately then not mnch heated) and from
that favorable elevation enjoyed, for the
first time, (what have since so MANY
thousands Of times Witnessed with compara4
IIive indifference,) an uninterrupted view of
the American Congress in full session, ev-
-Iery member in his place. Shall be par
zlaoned forsaying its aspect was very differ
4 lent from what we now witness2 There
4 was an air of decoruns of composure, OF
reflection, of gentlemanly and polished
4dignity. which has fled, or fingers her6aild
therea srefie of the Uaden time, 81 a:
The House seemed then as Composed dis
the Senate now is when IN irnpressi.s
speech is in the act Of delivery. On
Washington entrance the most profound
and death like stiffness prevailed. House,
lobbies, gallery, all were wrapped in the
deepest attention; and the souls of that en-.
tire assemblrge seemel pouring from their
eyes on the nob.e figure which deiberates
ly, and with an unaffected, bn. surprising
majesty, advanced upon the broad aisle Of
the Hall between ranks of standing Senas
tors and Members, and slowly. ascended
the steps leading to the Speakers chair,
well remember, standing at the head Of the
Senate, the tall, spare, somewhat gaunt
form of Mr.. Jefferson; conspicuous from
his scarlet waiscoat bright blue eoat with
broad bright buttons, as we'll as by his
quick and penetrating air, highboned Scott
ish cast Of features There too, Gen.
Knox, the Secretary Of War, in all the
sleek rotundity Of his low stature, with e
bold and forid face open, firm, and manly
in its expression. But recollect that my
boyish eye was caught by the appearances
of De Yrujo, the Spanish Ambassador. He
stood in the rear of the chair, q little on one
side, covered with splendid diplomatic
dress, decorated with orders, and carrying
under his arm an immense ehapeau bras,
edged with,white ostrich feathers He was
man totally different in his air and man
ner from all around him, and the very
antipodes especially on the man on whSH
all eyes but his seemed fixed as by spell.
saw many other striking figures grouped
about and behind the speakers chair. but
did not know their names, and had no
one to ask; besides, dared not open my lips. =
The President, having seated himself. .
remained in silence, serenely contempla-
ting the Legislature before him, whose
members now resumed their seats, waxing
for the speech. No house Of worship, in
the most solemn pouses Of devotion, was
ever more profoundly still than that large
and crowded assembly,
Washington was dressed precisely as
Stewart has painted him in Lord bonds
downs full length portrait-in full suit Of
the richest black velvet; with diamond knee
buckles and square silver buckles set upon
shoes japaned with the most scrupuiotls
neatness, black silk stockings, his shirt
ruffled at the breast and wrist, light dress
sword; his hair profusefy powdered fully
dressed, so as to project at the sides, and
gathered behind in u silk bag ornamented
with large rose of black riband. He held
his cooked hat, which had large black
cockade on one side of it, iff his hand, Us he
advanced toward the chair, and when seat
ed, laid it on the table.
At length, thrusting his hand within the
side of his coat, he drew forth a roll Of
which he opened, and rising,
held it in his hand, while, in rich, deep,
full, sonorous voice, he read mis- opening
address to Congress. His enunciation was
deliberate, justly emphasized, very distinct,
and accompanied with an air of deep
solemnlty, as being the utterance ofa mind
profoundly impressed with dignity of thar
in which it was occupied, conscious of the
whole responsibility of it's position and
action, but not oppressed by il: There was
ever about the man something which im-
pressed the observer with conviction that
he was exactly and fully equal to what he
had to do. He was never hurried, never
negligent; but seemed ever prepared for the
occasion, be it what it might. If I could
express his character in one word, it would
be appropriateness. In his study, in his
Parlor at n laxee.- before Congress. at the
head OF the army, he seemed to be lust
what the Situation required him to be. He
possessed, in degree never equalled by any
human being l ever saw, the strongest.
most ever present sense Of propriety. IT
never foresook him, and deeply and invol-
lntarily impressed itself upon every
ocholder.
His address was Of moderate length; the
opies have of course forgotten; indeed
vas not Of an age to appreciate them: but
he air, the manner, the tone, have never
eft my mental vision, and now seen to
1ibrate on my ear.
A scene like this, once beheld, though
n earliest youth, is never to be forgotten.
t must be now fifty years ago, but could
low sit down and sketch the chamber, the
The MAN. s
Having closed the reading, he laid down
he scroll, and after brief pause, retired
Is he had entered; wkea the n1anuscrips
vas handed, for a second reading, to MI.
3eckwith, then clerk Of the House, whose
sharp articulation, shall ever associate
With the scene. When shall we again be-,
hold such Congress and such President.
q The Bostonian says, that the want
of license in that city is now got round
hus:-"When you enter rummery now
about town. Won must call for Dickied eeEs