The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-02-20

CdH Dt tTtCtru 10 tnN prVSIutHCv BHOIt OF
the abolition of slavery in South Carolina.
Mr.. Foote, of Mississippi, is propagandist-
one OF the progresslves. He advocates the alb
sorption or deglutition of Mexico gradually, not
all at a mouthtul. He is reader Of the poets,
OF the historians, modern aud ancient; of the
phlosophers-from Dogones, mp and down; of
the sages, statesmen and politicians OF the world.
OF the classics, he reads Cicero in the original,
and Demosthenes from the Greek. He is a
scholar, n lover of books and of authors, and
we therefore like him. We think such men are
worth having. But his speech was so full Of
Horace and Demosthenes, of Cicero and Hanni-
bal, and Allison, aud Byron, aud Goldsmith,
that the thread OF the narrative was totally OBJ
scured in it's meretrlcious ornaments. But Mr..
Foote is also a champion where point of honor
is involved He therefore demanded of Mr..
Clayton what he meant by charging that this war
for indemnity was highway robbery in Its mo-
rality. Mr.. Clayton explained, because If ne
had not, he would have been called to strict
personal responsibility; and we rather think the.
extreme to which the allegations Of robbery and
piracy were tending, required an estoppel like
that applied by Mr.. Foote. We dismiss, the
lines from Horace -
"Palids mors nduo pulsat pede
Pauperum tabernss rsgumqus turres, bsate Lsxti
Vita summa brsvis spem nos vetat in chosrs longsm."
Mr.. Dix is one of the best Speakers IN the
United Staes-one of the clearest and most
didactlc OF orators. His voice, hts action, his
whole system of thought and of speech are har-
monious and melOdlous. He advocated the war
~luc SuppucS-dHu TIE HOlulHB VI OuI PLOoChS
positions, with power for sortes when neces-
sary, as the readiest way to an honorable peace.
He judicious!y waived the Wilmot provlso, thus
TAR TAR MS desire tor with
Mr.. Dickinson, like Mr.. Calhoun, not having
scope enough on the war bill, spoke upon his
own resolutions fayoring the project OF indefi-
mite annexation, and throwing the Wimot pro-
viso into the hands Of the people who may be abb
sOrbed. Mr. Dickinson is n great reader OF the
poets, and hence that which appears to the calcu-
dora, without drop of hope at the bot
tom, is to Mr., Dickinson the sheep Of the
golden fleece, the gardens of Hesperides, and
the divine spromse, IN course, OF provden-
in this magnificent enthusiasm; there may be
some political scheme, working to the ostracism
of all the Van Burens in this matter; but we
leave it all for the future for its solution: Asa
speaker, Mr.. Dickinson appears to feel his way,
and even then to deliver his thoughts before they
are fully hedged. His prime fault is his poetry.
He dresses up every thing IN Smiles and hyper
boles, and, Notwithstanding his sound Judgment
he is as fond of the "airs of the sweet SOUTH"
and the "hOwling tempest on the briny Deep"
as young freshman in his first annual recita-
ton. But where a mans heart is full of poe
try there is always something genial and congo
NAL at the bottom.
Mr. Butler sides with Mr.. Calhoun, or goes
for peace commission. He has a strange air
appearance, as if he were not thinking of the OBJ
ect upon which he is speaking. Yet he Is a
sound reasoner, high-mnded statesman, and
ever ready at such repartee as would have been
accounted legitimate by Sir Richard Steele.
Mr.. Douglass, the ''litte giant" of Illinois, is
one OF the most promising men of the dav, and
close and methodic,l orator, blending the ANNA
ton of youth with the still increasing discretion
OF maturity OF course he goes for the bill, and
the time, and the administration, and for the
whole of Mexico in preference to none.
Mr.. Jefferson Davis has made several incl
dental speeches in the discussion, rather expana-
tory Of m than ANYTHING eae.
and in this view indicating the wel-educated
scholar Of West Point. He goes for a military
line on the frontiers Of the table lands but for
Interior operations or positions, In combination
with the salient line of occupation, as the means
OF reducing the enemy to peace.
Mr. Miller goes for Withdrawing the army to
the administration, and right and proper to up
hold the integrity of the WING party.
Mr. Downs speaks as Hamlet read to old Pc.
goes for the administration the whole length
We hope, however, that Mr. Soulc, Ga French
man) his colleague, will be permitted, when he
comes to the Senate, to express his sentiments
upon this foreign war, if he should desire to do
so, notwithstanding Mr.. Downs is so indignant
that Albert Gallatin, an alien, should presume to
speak so loud 10 the American people, without
Mr.. Gallatin has scarcely advanced the object OF
peace in his animadversions upon the war.
MIR. Bell has made the most striking speech OF
of the session, elciting all the information that
COulu NC Ildu III IcSdiu w tHC OpycCtS vi
demnlty. and security" and getting frank &C
acknowledgement from Mr.. Cass, Mr.. Sewer, and
Mr.. Jefferson Davis, severally, that they are OPP
posed to the annexation OF Mexico.
Mr.. Sewer has given more lucid exposition
of the official state of the case than any other
Senator, and while he repudiates annexation, he
is ready to meet the issue, if 1t is forced upon
him.
Mr.. Phelps has presented the case in its most
striking financial aspects, showing, that if the
war is continued, 1t must end In general revul-
sion of trade, currency and commerce. There
ia no fustion about Phelps he is mauer-of-
fact Yankee, and argues the subject upon bust
ness estimates; glory and aurels and all that
class of materials, being with him mere tinsel
that does not pay the cost OF Its acquisition.
Mr.. Hunter is a.deep thinker upon elementary
principles of government, or distractions, if you
please, those things upon which all governments
depend, and out OF which they all originate He
will vote the supplies, though he recommends
the defensive line, and agrees with MIR. Calhoun
as to the hazards of annexation.
Mr.. Underwood strongly recommended the
plan of Mr. Clay. There is nothing very remark
able In the eocution of this gentleman nothing
OF marked deficiency, or marked superiority; but
while there is nothing in 1t to charm the gale
ries there are no extraneous classical dlgresslons
as with Mr.. Foote, and no supertuity OF poetry
as with Mr.. Dickinson.
Mr. Clarke is another of your New England
men who deal in subsantials. The war is costly
and ruinous, and 1t ought to be stopped. This
is enough for him in this case, at all events.
Mr.. Niles is one OF the most independent
democrats that we know of. His senti-
ments, though somewhat peculiar, were the
views Of strong and active judgment, and were
in bold and mastery manner. He
proposes another effort at negotiation, and to
enforce its acceptance upon the Mexicans he
will vote the troops, but if the experiment fails,
he would fall back upon the defensive line.
Mr.. Turney, we think, has clearly established
the fact, that the annexation of Texas the
cause OF the present war with Mexico, and that
that act having been accompll shed and brough,
about much "A hurry Dv Ohm lVler, ana
Mr.. Tyler having been placed in power by the
viii gs, the wings are responsible for the war
while President Polk, as the conductor OF the
war; is entitled to the credit Gifts achievements
Here we stop. Some ten or fifteen senator's
will yet, we suppose, speak upon the pm, and
among the number we expect Mr.. sturgeon