New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-08-24
49,. ..,,,n.,., ohio most di.sented from the

Iel{vered l did not KNOW mr.. w eostcrf oue " ms
AZ much struck with it. that / did not hesitate then
10 state, that Mr.. Webster was very able mau'
ard would become one OF the very first statesmen
in America and perhaps the very frst
The speech Immediately raised the author TO the
first consideration in the House, and gained him
great reputation through bout the country. The oo'
iect IL proposed was merely information respect
ing the time and manner in which the revoca.lon
Of the Berlin and Milan DEGREES reached the Pre-
sident Certain opponents, however, oft1e Admin
stration used the Introduction OF the resoutors
as an opportunity for assault upon it. particularly
as related TO ito conduct fthe war. The NatioHd'
Infelligencer-the organ OF the dominant party
says in the paper Of June 10: :" This debate has
now assumed such character, that, athoughthere
10 bat little opposition to Mr.. WebsteTs motion, IL
has become necessary for the advocates oil Tue
present war, for the friends Of the Administrator
the defenders Of their couptrys reputsuon torePe'
the violence Of theil opponents and 10 turn pursue
to the inmost recesses OF their coverts, ana oraS
them forth into the light Of day
But Mr. Webster took no part IN the deoate
ter it had assumed factious character DIS opI1c.
being not to foment party quarres but 10 oarryo1I
aDatonal purpose. ,.-..-.
the first, by vote Of 1877 to 90; and President
Madison in obedience TO the call OF the House. com.
mupicated full and satisfactory Information upon
the subject
We will give few OF the portraits from the mis-
cellsneous picture-gslery here presented leaving
the reader to Judge for himself Of the accuracy OF
the likeness.
HENRY CLAY AS sPFAKER
Certainly, no one ever presided over any delioe-
rstve body, in this country With more personal
popularity and influence than Mr. Clay He gov
erned the House with more absoluteness than any
Speaker that preceded or followed him. 1t wai
power founded upon character and manners Fear
less. energetic, decided he. swayed the timid by
superior will, and governed the bold through sym
ptthy. chivalnc bearing, easy address, and
warm heart drew around him crowos OF admirers
he cutyated-what our great men too much neg
lect-tbe philosopy of manners. n one know better
than be the wondrous power in seeming tribes
how much word tone look can accomplish
what direction give to the whole character OF opln-
ion and conduct. There seemed nothing con-
strained in bis courtesy, nothing simulated al his
manner was simple, unaffected, ardent If were
not genuine he had early arrived ct the perfection
of art, and concealed the art
Az an orator, be was unequalled, even in an as-
sembly that boasted OF Cheves, OF Lowndes, OF
Forsyth, and others no less distinguished His
voice was sonorous and musical falling with proper
csderce from the highest to the lowest tones; at
times when in narrative or description, modula;ed,
smooth and pleasing like sounds Of running water;
but W hen raised 10 animate and cheer, II was as
clear and spritstrring as the notes of clarion the
House ali the while ringing with its melody.
Oftentimes he let bis chair to address the House.
A call of the House would not have brought Mem
bers in more eagerly. Few indeed, could have in
dulged in such frequency Of speech, and retained
personal ascendency. But mis- influence seemed -
increase in strength, the otener it was exerted.-
He bad a wonderful tact by which he Judged as by
intuition, when the subject, Or the patience of his
audience, threatened to be exhausted and took
care always to leave the curiosity Of his hearers
unsatisfed.
Twas a Member ofthe House during the war"
writes q gentleman to the editor OF these papers,
"and was present when Mr.. Clay made his fare
well speech on resigniDg the Speskership. 1t was
an impressive occasion. Not only were all The
seats OF Members occupied, but many Senators at.
tended, and large miscellaneous crowd. The
war which be bad been nost active 10 Fastening,
and most energetic in prosecuting he was now
commissioned with Others TO close. He was the
youngest Of the Commiss oners but sagacious far
beyond his years. The hopes Of the country tired
Of a protracted struggle, grew brighter from his
appointment.
age, he had no rival in popularity His name was
everywhere familiar as "househod words" His
own bearing evinced a consciousness OF his favor
in the country. was struck with his appearance
on this occasion. There was a fire in his eye, an
citation in his countenance, buoyancy in his whole
action, that seemed the eelfconsciousness OF com.
ing greatness. Hope frightened, and Joy elevated
his crest. As full Of confidence, gallant bearing,
and ers.ied look, he TOOK his seat In the Speakers
chair, bis towering hight even more conspicuous
than usual, / could not bat call to mind Vernon's
description OF Henry, Prince Of Wales. in Shak'
spere;
81 saw young Harry with bis beaver on,
His cusEes on his 'high, gslantly armed
Risefrom the ground. hse fes'hefd Mercury
And vaulted with such ssse INTO hssest
Ash an angel droppd down from the cloatt.
To turn ard wind a fiery Pegssn'
And witch the world wi noble horsemanshp.'
cage at this time had not wthered nor custom
49, G.,Sa riafxy afh is Tha 10
fects Of bis character had not been developed
prosperity had not summed them; and they lie un-
sprouted in his heart nor had he committed any
Of the blunders OF his later life which, in political
view, have been pronounced worse than crimes.
"After he had resigned the chair in a neat and
appropriate speech became down TO the floor; and
Members surrounded him, to express their great
grief at his withdrawal, mingled, however, with
congratulations upon bis appointment and with the
expression Of sangune anticipa.ions Of the success
Of bis mission"
Undoubtedly one great reason OF Mr.. Adams
unpopularity, was his cold, antipathetic manner,
and the suspicion Of selfshness it suggested, at
least aided greatly to confirm. None approached
MIR. Adams but to recede He never succeeded,
be never tried to conciate. he seemed one Of
those persons-not rare on ear.h-whose enjoy
ment stops in themselves who find no pleasure in
the indulgence Of social feelings, and cherish no
hope bat Of self qualification Friendship which
receives and repays mutual benefits, whi,h re-
spends alike to good or adverse fortune, which re-
moves Us from entire isolation expands the heart
lends new force to genius, and nobler expression
10 thought, he never seemed capable Of compre-
hendipg.
His mind, wonderfully precocious, was developed
at the expense of his heart Undue exercise of
the one, az happens with the limbs Of the body,
dwarfed or weakened the other. He could esbor.
ate vast schemes Of political aggrandizement, con.
struct stupendous tones OF incontrovertibe logic,
establish or demolsh theories OF perplexins ing en-.
uity buthe was ignorant OF an uns elijah emotion,
incapable Of an ennoblns expression, and oonsti.
tutionsly insensible to other than personal hopes
and purposes.
All political dOgmss, creeds and parties, were
held by him in like consideration. He found them
all equally fallscious and equally useful. He