Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-08-31

offeeing elude pursuit. Even description therefore,
seems TO the narrator himself most tame spirtess
just
of course from the orators deivery-he tones of his
voice, his couutenauce and maunert These die mostly
with the occasion that calls them torthhe impression
is lost in the attempt at transmission from one mind to
another They only be describedin general terms
"Ofthe effectiveness of Mr. Websters manner, in many
parts says Mr. Everett, sit would be 10 vain to attempt
10 give any present the tantest idea. Ii has
been nv fortune to hear OF the abest speeches of
the greatest living orators both sides of the water,
but must confess l never heard anything which so
completely realized my conception of what Demosthe
mes when he delivered the Grafton for the Crown.
The brief sketch of Mr.. Calhoun is drawn with ad
mlrable terseness and vigor-
JOHN C. CALHOUN.
The character OF this extraordinary man has been the
theme alike of extravagant praise aud oboquy as zeal
Gus friendship earnest enmty have held the pen. His
sun has lately sunk below the horizons it went down in
all the spendor Of noonde and the etfulgence of its
setting yet dazzes the mind much, TO Justify i'm
partial opinion But whatever may be the diversity of
opn on as regards his patriotism the integrity OF his
purpose no one who respects himself wi deny him the
possession of rare and intellectual faculties; of mind
capacous and enlightened; of powers of reasoning al
most miraculous; OF uuequaled prescence; and of a
judgment, when unwarped by prejudice most express
and admirable.
On this the greatest occasion of his intellectual and
political life, he bore himself proudly and gorously
He appeared TO hold victory at his command, and yet
determined, witha to show that he deserved it, There
strength 10 his argument that seemed the ex-
haustion OF thought and frequency OF nervous dction
most appropriate Tor its expression. The extreme mo-
blity OF his mind was felt everywhere and immediate
1t passed from defamation to nvectve and from in
vecve to argument, rapidly, but not conusedy, exct
ing and filling the Imagination OF all.
In his tempestuous eloquence he tore to pieces the
arguments OF his opponents the hurricane rends the
sails. Nothing withstood the ardor OF his mind no
sophstry however ingenious, puzzled him rhetor-
cal ruse escaped his detection He overthew logic that
seemed impregnable, and demolished the most compact
theory, In breath.
~Mr Calhouns interruption un Parliamentary or
rather un-SenatorIa The Vice President is not
Der OF the Senate and has voice in it tor the
preservation OF order and enforcement OF the rules
He cannot participate otherwise either in the debates
proceedings. He is simply the presiding officer of
the Senate-having vote in its affairs tie.
Had Mr.. Webster made a direct, unmistakeable allu-
sion TO him, Mr. Calhoun still could have replied through
friendly Senator, or the press On this occasion he
was too much excited to attend to the etiquette OF his
position His feelings and his interest in the question
made HIM orgettul OF his duty.
Sometime latter than this. after rupture had taken
place between Gen Jackson and himself, Mr.. Forsyth
OF Georgia. on beng interrupted by (as he though
uncalled Tor question remark, rebuked him in an
emphatic manner for violation o. ofica! etiquette Mr.
Van Buren,, who oust ted and succeeded him always
ma ned silent, placid, mpertubable in the seat however
personal or severe the attack upon hm;-and no Vice
President since his day has attempted interfere
with the discussions OF the Senate.
General W ashington said that the New Eng land
troops came better clothed into the field orderly
there and fought WELL if BETTER than any troops
on the continent
The personal appearance Of MIR. Webster has been
a theme OF frequent discussion. He was at the time
this speech delivered twenty years younger than
now. Time had not thinned nor bleached his hair it
was as dark as the ravens plumage, surrounding his
MASSIVE brow in ample folds. His eyes, always dark
and deep-set enknded by some glowing thought shone
from beneath his sombre over-hangng brow like lights
IN the backness of night from sepulchre 1t such
a countenance as Sal vator Rosa delighted TO paint
No one understood or understands better than Mr.
Webster, the philosophy of dress what powerful
auxiliary it is to speech and manner, when harmonzing
with them On this occasion he appeared in blue coat
and buff vest-the Revolutionary colors of buff and
bue-wth white cravat "a costume than which none
smore becoming to his face and expression. This
eourty PARTICULARLY OF dress adds little to the in
huence OF his manner and appearance