The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-08-01

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old man, he has thick shock Of perfectly whit,
hair, commonly concealing his brow beneath
which CLEAN out, more mockingly than fercely,
pair of lively, sparkling, restless eyes Mr. But
ler's style Of speaking is natural and impressive
without being remarkably graceful or brilliant
He is strong champion Of the South, but hap
PLY lacks the hot-headed violence OF some Of hi
compeers.
Mr.. Truman Smith is heavy man in NOR,
than one sense Of the term. His enunciation anC
emphasis are decidedly mi7g, and his style Of
gesticulation inimitable and undesirable
The new President of the Senate, Mr.. King Of
Alabama, is gentleman of the old school-grave
precise, and perpendicular. He is unapproach
ably great on all points Of order-absoutely
without rival in his knowledge of Senatorial
etiquette, form, and dignity, and is remarkable
gor eo-.sis ~-i-- - ~-;--tN- Hk4 nrocriety NJ
y.-~>As--S, -, 49, ~s~~Nsag. most Ny
bending and undertaking.
BY the way, | perceive, by divers newspaper
paragraphs, that my Washington letters are fail.
ing to please entirely some few of my small par
ish of readers, both North and South. As true
Northern woman, hesitate not to syow that m
sympathes are with those men who truly repre-
sent and boldly advocate Northern principles
but at the time it Is my sincere desire to dc
justice, far as may, 20 ,Aatalent and worth OF
their opponents. In writing for a neutral paper
can fairly and properly do no Less wish to do
no more. Then, suppose, mary as we'll frankly
acknowledge that | am influenced to certain
degree by the observation Of fine social qualities
and personal agreeableness, and even that am
woman enough to feel oourtesies and kindnesses.
shown to myself, would not accept could | not
acknowledge them. My prejudices csnoften thus
be overcome, or modifed-my principles, thank
Heaven, stand on a frmer basis
On the other hand, have incurred the disap-
probation Of my Southern readers by simply doing
justice TO some of the most prominent exponents
of the principles and policy Of the North. All,
my friends, could you know how often ! have
refrained from speaking their praise, out of con-
sideration for your delicate sensibilties If you
9cts, sssncsis,left unssid, see ~spi.. Ia. Z.
what is said Now, let us reason together. Is
there not far too little of fairness and generosity
shown by both Nertherk and Southern Journal
lists and ieiter-writers in their doing up OF the
Statesmen and legislators at the Capitol met
lately with letter in some Southern journal, the
writer of which, in describing the Senate, dwelt
with rapturous admiration on such men as Soule,
Butler, Foote, and Davis, ringing for them all
the changes of enthusiastic eulogy, but merely
slurred over some of the abest and most eminent
Senators Of the North, in criticism as poor and
false in spirit it was fippant and bitter in tone
would avoid all these things, and yet be truth
ful-that is, always speak The truth if not the mhoe
truth. My impressions of men and things here
may not be invariably correct, but they are hon
estly and most good-humoredly given The
difficulty which one so situated finds in pleasing
every body, often reminds me of the fable of the
unfortunate old man, who, whether he rode or
carried his jackass was sure to incur the disap-
prevail of his fellow travellers. On the whole, |
have concluded that the wisest and most comfort
able way is to please yourself by doing just as you
please. Adieu. GRACE GREENWOOD.
WASHINGTON, July 90, 1850
GENTLEMEN: The proceedings in the Senate
for the week past have been very interesting,
though no final result has been reached 10 respect
to the most important measure under considera.
tion-the Compromise bill
On Monday, we had a great though not very
lengthy speech from Mr.. Benton. II was clear,
condensed, pointed and powerful argument, as
you will perceive, though not so wildly in the
reading. In the manner of Mr. Benton there is
often fierce and terrible force His sarcasm is
keen and scathing, and his tones, looks, and GEES
tures, barb and drive home his sharp and singing
Fosdss Hs jsA proud atsEnu atsunR' arcary
and honest contempt for wordy patriotism and
political blsrney--sll the honeying and humbug-
ging of constituents, the cant and rant of Bun
combe oratory.
He is no juggler, nor tumbler-no player with
balls and featkers--he fayors you with no tight.
rope dancing, and throws you no summersets, but
strides into the ring as a fierce and hardy gladia-
tor, a stout boxer, not to play, but to fight He
is always in earnest always confident, and follows
up an opponent with the sure, unhagging re-
morseless eagerness of bloodhound ON the
scent.
1t is surprising how mildly the speeches of MIR
Benton read compared with their spoken effect
His manner is at times strikingly dramatic in its
bitter unmitigated severity-and some of his
tones are enough to chill ones blood, he is no
cold and deliberate even Ia his passion. He does
not board the enemy's ship with spike and brand
nor fire it with grenades--but crashes down upon
it like some ponderous and pitiless iceberg In
that portion of his late speech in which he made
his exulting and merciless expose Of what he pro-
nounoed the dishonest Compromise plot-grasp-
ing the bill, and holding it up as "a criminal"
it was curious to mark the effect Of his words
and manner on the three great leaders opposed TO
him
A fire kindled in the wan cheek, and shot from
the keen eye of Clay. Websters sternest chances
cleaned out from beneath the black ledge of his
lowering brow-wbile the weighty countenance
Of Cass wore a shocked and mildly indignant ex-
preston, for self and partners,n seeming to say,
rs the worthy Falstaff would have said, "Iiow
the world is given to lying There is but three
honest politicians in America, and one of them Is
fat and grows oldo
Colonel Benton seems full Of calm, determined
energy and endurance. There Is about him no sign
Of yielding or decay. The cold, steady look Of
In md 10 E,.a ak
most superhuman strength Of will--patient, even
more than vehement, unwearying unconQuer-
able-ever renewing itself, and putting out some
fresh manifestation Of its vitality and it's vigor
In personal intercourse, Mr. Benton Is said to be,
at times, exceedingly proud, distant, and naughty.
One reason for this may be that he Is not always
rightly approached A proud man respects pride
in another, and his occasional afabiity certainly
has the more meaning and effect, that It Is neither
common nor assumed
On Wednesday, MIR. Webster spoke In favor
Of the Compromise bill then admired him
greatly, bat was by no means carried away by
enthusiasm. The granite-like grandeur OF his
head, the soiemnity Of his tones and manner the
severe beauty of his Language, the symmetry of
his style, are certainly impressive, but not over
mastering or electrifyipg Outward warmth and
central force, intensity of feeling and earnest
ness of purpose, are too obviously wanting True
he seems serious in most that he says, bat rather
doggedly than deeply so. Even his wit is a sort
of heavy and elepbantine plsyfulness-his humor-
GUS sallies light up bis own dark face but for an
instant, and seldom call forth genial and IRE
sistible response People laugh when Webster
leads the way, from patriotic and party consider
atoms
In the course Of his speech the distinguished
statesman commented with almost annibilating
contempt on the Wilmot Proviso-stood there
crying down the political thunder once claim
ed a. his peculiar property-like an old lion
growing at the echo Of his own roar. But the
galleries spplauded, and bis admirers will proba-
bly, receive this speech as they receive all the
words Of the great leader, ms mama from the