Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-02-25
1fltsteIIQnD.
The Old Man Eloquent.
e. A SKETCH FROM THE NATIONAL ERA.
MoRT. In faith he is worthy gentleman
Exceedingly well read [Kinn Henry "


MORT. In faith he is worthy gentleman,
Exceedingly well read King Henry ".
In looking down from the ladies' gallery on
the troubled floor of the House of Representa-
atives, one of the very first objects which attracts
and fixes the attention of the observer, is the
Old Man Eloquent. There he sits-so still aud
placid, his arms calmly folded, and his venera-
BILE head bent in meekness on his breast an
image of purity and honor in the midst of a
crooked and perverse generaton-a peaceful
rock unmoved by the surges Of an angry
sea.
The general expression of the House, if one
may so speak, is commonplace enough. Intel
ligence, common sense and shrewdness meet
your eye in every direction; but the number of
strongly marked and striking heads is very small
indeed. You are sensible, after the first glance,
that you are looking upon just such an ordinary
assemblage as might be made up of like num-
Der of intelligent farmers mechanics, and law
yers in any well settled districts of the Union
that is, always excepting the ill-breeding and
clamorous buslle and confusion 1t is not strange,
then, that the eye very soon singles out the sub
ject of the present hurried sketch; and that tic
all visiting the gallery of the House, whether
familiar with his venerable aspect or not, the
Old Man Eloquent presents an object of the
most earnest and respectful regard But in any
congregation Of men, the sage would command
this attention His whole aspect wears tina
unmisakable air, which betokens man dis
tinguished above his fellows A noble head
almost entirely bald, and white and shining a
polished Parian Marble-eyes that beam a
brightly as half century ago, but serene anC
clear as river fount away among the hills
mouth and chin whose every line evinces philo
sophie dignity. and 6rmness, not unmnged will
the gracious benignity Of loving heart-remint
us of one of those immortal busts which hav
familiarized to our Thoughts the form in whcl
wisdom dwet at Athens in the days of her un
clouded intellectual glory and fully assure u
that be behold at least one fit representative Q
free and sovereign people, in this latter day o
more perfect light and liberty
The last occasion on which the Old Man Etc
quent addressed the House is not likely soon t
be forgotten. 1t was on the last night of tn
session of I845-46. The President had sent
message to Congress, asking an appropriation G
two millions Of dollars, to be placed entirely q
the discretionary disposal of the executive, fc
the purpose, as he declared, of facilitating tn
negotiation of peace with Mexico grej
deal of angry and irritating discussion of tn
subject had taken place in both Houses TIL
question of Slavery-of all subjects that can
debated in these halls, need hardly say tn
most inhamatory-had been thrown into til
arena, by the introduction of an amendment
the preamble of the bill, affixed by certain of II
party, for the purpose of ehecting certain obiec
aimed at by the Executive; and the feelings
members, on all sides of the House. were eve
ted to the highest pitch. In vain did the Spea
er exert himself preserve the decorum of Il
House., at all times difficult task but now tie
fold more arduous, in consequence of the exc
ting subject under consideration, and the latene
of the hour The imperfect manner in viii,
she hall was lighted added to the confusion
Some years ago, just a few moments after {
House had adjourned, the immense and supe
chandelier fell, with terrible crash, break
the desks in the centre of the hall into thousa
pieces, and shlvering the glass in the windo
like discharge of artillery. The costly artic