Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-11-27
CONVENTION OF 1sas-'so.

Foremost among the leaders Of the Western co.
horts stood Chapman Johnson-a man whose fame
though his pnblic service had not extended beyond
the Legislature, was co-exlensive with the limits oil
the State. This fame had been acquired at the bar
where. in company with Leigh and Sanard, he had
sustained the forensic reputation OF Richmond, with
on, dinlnulion, as il had been transmitted by Mar
shall, Wickham, Writ, Call, and their conse'0 0ora-
ries
Like Mr.. Leigh, Mr.. Johnson was at this time in
IN. ,rime of his life and faculties. His reasoning
powers, the most conspicuous trait OF MS intellect,
were Of the very highest order. He was called at the
time the Ajax lebanon of the West, aud from the g-
gantc, but somewhat unwielding strength Of his un-
derslandng. there can be NO doubt that be deserved
the sppellalion. He vas man of noble and COM
madng presence, had head whose intellectual de-.
vsoprnens would have delighted Phrenoogist,and
: eountenanee more strongly indicative OF extreme
benevoence than that ofsny other uman being we re-
collect TO have seen. His air, unless when aroused
by discussion. was absent and abs!raced indicating
mind hsbituay addicted to deep aud earnest thought
His voice was the most powerful recollect ever 10
have heard, and, had il been under proper management
was emneatly adapted to all the modualious which
are necessary TO finished orator. As it was il was
too apt to get beyond his control in The excitement
of debate.
In addition 10 these personal recommendations, al
ways of vast importance to an orator, Mr.. Johnson
pos.es.ed another, which well calculated 10 make
men lend him their ears. II vas we'll known that
the indications of benevoence msnifesting themselves
So strkingly in his counlenance, told no false tale
He was indeed what he looked to be, the very incar-
nation of truth, honor. justice and generosity. Even
those who most bitterly disputed his peculiar opin
ions. could not but bow in reverence TO the majesty
of bls virtues. Like the Grscan Hero, TO whom he
was compared,he fought his way to eminence through
all obstacles and against any odds But unlike
that Hero, who is represented as con6dng in his own
right arm alone, aud asking nothing but light from
the superior powers, his sense of dependence upon
Heaven was deep and abiding.
The great fault OF Mr.. Johnson's oratory i! has al
way. struck u.s. was its diffuseness. He elaborated
everything, and left no point, however immaterial,
untouched. But even those who most objected TO
this habit. and confess ourselves OF the number,
were compelled to bear testimony to tho immense
power with which he grappled with his subject Un'
like many Others his speeches stand the test OF me
and will be more admired in the closet than they
were on the floor Of ,he Convention. 1t IS i"r mat
reason, perhaps, that beyond the limits OF this State
he acquired, at the time, reputation to which 1t I,
doubtful whether any other person Of that body could
aspire. An eminent urisl of New York, who had
heard but little of him previously, told US he was
never so as,onishet in all his life, as he vas when
he read his speech the basis Of represenatIonand
il was to him inconceivable how he had SO long re-
mained without any national reputation. He said
that the Convention had been enineny servceable IN
showing virginia VINO were her gisdr"e inen, aiiu nc
did not hesitate to call Chapman Johnson par emi-
nsuce. .he great man Of the Convention The same
gentleman expressed to US doubt whether any Slate
in The Union could make such dsplay,or whetherhe
days even of the Revolution behed so many intel
ec,s of such high order assembled in council AS Tor
The speech in question: he thought one ol the most
nowerfu he had ever read, and having read 1t but
lews day. ago,hough nv no means agreeing with Its
positions, we are disposed to !hink his judgment
was correct.
very foolish story vas published some time since
with regard to Mr.. Johnson's entire distaste TO poe
.rv. Any man who reads any thing ne has ever
written can SEE al glanse that there is no truth IN
il. A man who abhors poetry may be very strong
minded man-hi, reasoning powers may indeed be
pgantic-ne may prove his positions with the pre-
csion of a mathematical demonsraon--but his ian-
pusge will be as dryas harsh and unreadableas that IN
which such demonstration is couched. Mr. John-
sons written language was the reverse o THIS u was
fresh. animated and racy. You read II with pleasure
and were sory when you came 10 the end. II PROB
able that in the pursuit of al-absorbng study, ne
NAV have neglected the claims of lighter literature;
hui thai he had taste for them, none who are Ia
m.r with The Illlle he has published will deny
Richmond Dispatch