The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1850-09-19

ggrandlZement, construct StupenuuouS
tones Of incontrovertible logic, estab-
lish or demolish theories Of perplexing
but he was ignorant of an un-
selfish emotion, incapable of an emo
bling expression, and constitutionally
insensible to other than personal hopes
and purposes.
All political dogmas, creeds and par
ties, were held by him in like considera-
ton. He found them all equally falla-
cious and equally useful. He sacrificed
no principle in espousing or repudiating
either or all, for he had no principles to
sacrifice. Without violence to his feel
ings or judgment, he admitted or reject
ed propositions and measures. He
knew but one test of their soundness;
how far they were useful, so far and so
long they were right. In whatever 9TH
err respect he resembled Cato Uticaen-
sis, in one he differed from him materi-
ally The ritta causa never pleased him.
The theory that failed was to him illogi
cal; the party that fell, unprincipled.
The intense concentration of self up
on self, gave character to his counte-
nance, manners and habits. He SEEM
ed as cold, passionless and inscrutable
as the Egyptian Sphynx, whose fate too,
his own resembled. He was successful
too, his own secret was undiscovered;
but that orce exposed, he sunk forever.
A disposition like his was his own Ne
mesis. Ever grasping at honors, success
b,, n faH than ali trnH N h,ln
there was step still higher, he was
restless, discontented morose, till he
reached it; and when he reached, the
fear of its loss was greater than the
pleasure of its enjoyment, and kept his
mind in constant turbulence. A want
of sympathy for others, deadened his
own sence of elevation; he knew not the
increase of qualification from reflection.
His merit he thought, provoked service,
which, like virtue, was its own reward.
He therefore felt no gratitude, and ac-
knowledged in his favors no distinction
between friend and enemy. Success
made him ungratetul, and defeat vindic-
tive; the one he easily forgot the other
he never forgave.
This harshness of chara cter developed
itself in his writings. Future ages no
less than the present will suffer from its
expression. 4 severe and unyielding
logic pervades and oppresses all his pro-
ductions. There is nothing to move the
affections, to rouse the fancy, or open
the heart, in any. In all the mighty vol
umes of lectures, essays, correspond
ence, state papers and speeches with
which he ever terrified mankind, not a
glorious sentiment, magnanimous idea, +,
or soul stirring expression occurs. They
are lava-lke, destroying everything like
/ fertilization.
Such character could secure no
permanent popularity. 1t was only to
be appreciated, to be hated; and the his
torian will be compelled to record,
among the most prominent causes ofMr.
Adams ultimate defeat, his selfish, cold,
unsvmpathetic heart, characterizing
manner and action.
GEN. JACKSON.
His successful competitor was cast in
different mould. Some virtues he had,
and others he assumed. He was frank
atiable and impressionable; and if not
always sincere, always had the appear
ance Of sincerity. 1t was easier to par
don his vices, than to acknowledge the
virtue of his rival; the arrogance of the
latter, offending self love, more than the
former the moral sense.
1t is not to be denied, however, that
he had one element of popularity
which his opponent needed. This was
his brilliant military rputation. His
courage and conduct in several severe
emergencies, and more particularly y in
one crisis of our public affairs, during
the last war with Great Britain, had
gained him the confidence and gratitude
of his countrymen. This element OF
strength had been sensibly felt in the
preceding canvass, and was perhaps the
best solution of the almost incredible
popularity which he enjoyed.
Still his military achievements, daz-
zling as they were, did not constitute his
sole claim to popular favor. He had
filed high stations in civil life, in Ma
tiOHdI uo Wtli Us Ill Sldle Government. !.
in all of which he had given evidence OF
determined will, an honest purpose,
and sagacious judgement, that COM
manded the good will of all classes. His
character for moral, physical, and intel
lectual energy, was known everywhere
He was thought to possess, too, qualities
of mind rare in their independent excel
lence, and only less than miraculous in
their combination. And hence there
was a conviction, no more earnest than
general, with the well-informed no less
than with the vulgar, that he could cul-
uyate with equal success the somewha,
hostile arts of war and peace.
COL. BENTON.
Benton discharged all sorts of mis-
siles at the head of an adversary, like @
catapu!ta. Tropes, metaphors, SMILES
unsavory illusions, vituperative epithets
damnatory personalities, he hurled upor
the victim of his temporary anger. He
neither sought nor gave quarter: one O.
tho ror,,Iar Rl,ck Huscarv nc 1ah,,o