The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-10-31

those favoriic ANNALS known as comic slmanacs.
AS he is one OF the most prominent men in Ken
lucky, and decided original in his way, perhaps
more truthiul portrait oi him than 10 be found
III the classic publications which have REFEREED
VIII not be uninterestDg TO your readers He is
about 10 Years old, should think stands about SIX
ieet hlgh, WIN a keen, piercing eye, which his
long white hair, in Its hnky profusion. often en-
urely overshsdows. His right hand has been
wounded, 80 much so as TO give il peculiar twist,
and almost deprive HIM OF the use oft So much for
peculiaTitirs OF personal appearance. He is man
OF undoubted talent, but Of most eccentric genius
Firm IN purpose, he is most adrot in action HIS
speeches, occasionally eloquent, are OF a dscursve
and colloqual, rather than rhetorical character;
Dut The vein OF pungent sarcasm and keen irony
winch runs through them, gives them force and
power which few of his opponents are willing to
meet. lie Is a man OF most extensive reading,
especially In history and geography, of his attain
mems IN which branches of study he is most par
ticularly proud-and which he selzes upon every
occasion, whether appropriate or not, to display
Such Is the famous Ben Hardin, who has borneas
prominent part in the politics of Kentucky any
other man, and whose eccentrciiies have acquired
for HIM fame Throughout the Union. As Claude
Melneite says, Do you like the picture p
About twenty-five, or more, OF the convention,
ere his blood relations. G A. Wickchfie is his
own cousin. and their controversies are famous
throughout kentucky They were never from boy
hood up, cousins they are, know, to agree on a
question; and active politicians as they both have
ever been, they have continually come In conflict
with each other. where blows were not spared on
either side on the score of relationship You let
third person interfere, or attack either, and like
Irish couples in their quarrels, they at unite
to punish the temer.ty Of the lntrrloper.
The committees on The county courts, and In re-
lation to ministerial officers, have reported on those
subjects. They propose an elective couaty court,
and to subject the sberltis and all the county Of
ficers TO the same ordeal. These articles are but
connecting portions of the plan proposed TO divest
the Governor of all power of appointment
The United States District Court now sitting
! here, engaged IN the trial OF the O'Rey and
Morse telegraph companies The most distln-
gulshed counsel IN THIS region are engaged on both
sides, and an enormous mass Ct deposltIOns have
been brought forward. The case will perhaps oc-
cupy several days; and, If one may Judge from the
general Impression here, will be decided against
Mr. O'Reilly.
Mr.. Coy's residence, the farm of Ashland" is
but short distance from here. have heard
good many anecdotes In regard to his personal bear
ing and intercourse with his nelgnbors Il Is uni-
veIsally represented as being far, very far, from
courteous and afiable He is known IN the State
as the prince" from his naughty, oveTbeaTing
manner. IL is this which has drove from him
many personal friends, and converted them into
J VinClc,ive enemies. Mr. Clays position IN regard
TO the Kentucky people is somewhat anomalous
one. His distinguished position in the Union, and
his eminent abliiiles and brilliant talents, appear
to be the State pride Of the people, and secure at
least their admiration But his course the eman-
cpatlon questlon-hs advocacy of scheme of
abollton-has destroyed almost entirely his per-
sonal popularity among the people and have
II - seriously question whether Mr.. Clay could
carry The State OF Kentucky, for any Office for
which he might be candidate. Certain II Is that
In the CONVENTION his position in regard to the
ancpatlon question has been most severely cri-
tIclst d and denounced by those in the body who
are recognised as leading wings. have an anec-
dOe or TWO Of MIR. Clay, which, owing TO the eX-
tent OF this eplstle, must postpone until another
occasion.
To refer again TO the emancipation question. L,
has been the mill stone which for the present, at
any rate, cas- sunk most OF the leading in the
State Besides Mr.. Clay, Judge Underwood, late
u. :. Senator and number OF others almost as
prominent and distinguished, have advocated
emancipation theories, and all counter to the
views OF the people. | asked Il gentleman the
other day why il was that with 80 many distln-
guish. men as Kentucky possessed, there were so
few OF that character IA the convention. Said he,
" The smar.est men were all emancipationsis and
they were beaten" This gentleman was a most
ultra mo-slavery man. A party that already ex-
lois from its opponents such CONCESSION, must
in the end become powerful and fsa Inidable.
But viii add no more ut present. SIMON.