The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-06-27
MEN AND THINGS IN CONGRESS-.


GRACE GREENWOOD, who has been spending
some time in Washington, pays her respects to
the great men Of Congress in very pleasant
strain She thus writes in the SAT Ereang Post,
of what she saw in hen FIRST visd to the Capitol:
Webster and Clay had seen before, yet
should have singled them out, think, had not
known them. The unspproachable grandeur of
Webster's head-the imperious eye of Clay-the
Wellingtonian front Of Benton, who could mis-
take?
There was, that morning, an animated discus
sion on the Compromise bill, Of which you will
have seen the report Clay, Webster, Benton
Seward and Foote, were among the speakers MIR
Clay was suffering from recent indisposition
but he spoke with great energy and with keen
Hastings of his wonderful eye II cannot be de-
MED however that he oener parried the attacks of
his opponents with wit, than met them in argu-
ment. At one time, when Benton was thunder
ing out severe passage directed especially to
him, he bent forward aud placed his hand to his
ear, in the attitude of listening, saying Speak
little loudsro But ere The cSsc 81 che debate this
early morning GOODNESS forsook the distinguished
Senator-there were some keener passes between
him and Benton, and both the honorable and
venerable Senator's seemed somewhat oblivious of
the little proprieties naturally to be expected of
such potent, grave, and reverend seigniorsn
Webeter's manner in speaking had a sort of
solemn heaviness, which may have been impress
sive, but which certainly was not inspiring.
was surprised to find Senator Foote a slight, gen.
iAl-looking, elderly gentleman. had supposed
him 10 be younger and a more fiery -vissged in
dividual tie is a most restless statesman
seems afflicted with sort of patriotic form Of
the dance St Vitus-is on his feet with every
opportunity, pouring forth burning fluids u of
speech and infsmmable gases of Southern de-
mocracy. In strong contrast was the calm, self
possessed Yankee GOODNESS of Seward, who never
moves from his positions, nor suffers himself to
be riled in the least. Gen. Cass has good
easy, uncleish appearance, and his face has q
rather dull, after-dinner expression, not indica-
tive of transcendent abilities but which may do
him injustice Senator Houston amuses me
greatly as look down upon him from the gall
lery. He sits at his desk and rhailes diligently
and deliberately by the hour, very much with
the air and expression of some worthy, compls-
cent, stout specialized old lady at her knitting
pretty weil sansfen with things ID gencrahi, anu
thinking Of nothing in particular. Now and then,
he pauses to take fresh piece of timber, or
sharpen his knife, as said worthy old lady might
pause to take up stitch, or regale herself with
a pinch of snuff. Apropos of snuff, | perceive
that most of the honorable Senators are Cup to
tuat' n w HiR may Dt ctcu puooiuE IVA W
a Democrat who passes it to Southern ultraist,
who passes it to q Northern inoendiary n-and
all three forget their factional differences in a
delightful concert of sternutation. No business
is too grave speaker too eloquent, to be "sneez-
ed att
Mr.. Clay has a peculiar gracious manner of
acknowledging snuff box courtesies, and pecu-
liarly graceful way of taking pinch-but | do
not perceive that he sneexes more tremendously
than his humble fellow citizens,
suppose that beauty is not precisely the forte
of the Senate of the United States-so trust
commit no offence when say that rotundity Of
figure slightly transcending the lines of grace and
beauty, and substantial, democratic plainness OF
feature constitute the prevailing style in that
gust assembly. The President, Mr.. Fillmore, Is o
very handsome man, however, and Colonel Benton
is one of the most impressive men of the Senate in
person, air, and manner. He looks the perfect
embodiment of a great, infexible, untiring will
9 will which one can only doubt when the eye il
turned to the other side Of the Chamber where
sits his watchful skillful, irresistible opponent
with the old fire of his wondrous intellect un.
quenohed, and the old strength of his Napoleonie
will unbroken.
most remarkable person is Mr.. Soule of Lou
isians. His figure is rather slight, but firmly and
finely formed; his face has dark, dramatic style
of beauty, which lights up most splendidly and
effectively when he speaks. His action is exceed
iagly graceful, and his voice melodious though he
speaks with q marked French accent like TO
look from him to his political aud natural sntip-
ode, Mr.. Hale, Of New Hampshire. This Senator
has the appearance of one who takes the world
kindly and easily. He is rather stout in person
but looks vigorous and active; in the form of his
head and the outline of his face, he is strikingly
like Napoleon but the expression is more frank
and genial Personally he Is, hear, quite popular
with all parties here, and politically he moves on
In straight and open course, not antsgonistic in
spirit but most uncompromising in principle.
Mr.. Clemens of Alabama, the youngest mem
Der of the Senate, and gentleman quite well
known of late for his unhattering estimate of
Northern ladies, ia one by himself-a decided in
dividual The length and disposal of his locks,
and a certain ornate style of dress, bordering on
the fashy, are remotely suggestive of favOrite
character well known to Philadelphia play goers.
On the whole, should say he was gentleman
likely to smoke vehemently, drive rapidly, and
wear his hat with one-sided inclination.
Mr.. Chase of Ohio makes fine appearance,
with his powerful figure and his noble, earnest
face, but have not heard him speak
Mr.. Corwin has, as you we'll know, head
and face of great character. | hope | may yet
listen to his peculiar and powerful oratory
On the second day. visited the House, when
could hear but little, yet was deeply and pleas
anty interested by new scenes and Impressions
The House, most of the time, is a strange
scene of confusion. The Speaker, MIR Cobb, is
kept hard at work, calling honorable gentlemen
to order, and making decsions--poundng and
expounding. His Office is evidently no snecure,
and his chair no easy seat for quiet meditation.
In the gallery ! had the pleasure of seeing
Horace Mann, one of my enthusiasms, and
most delightful person. found-Mr. Giddings,
man as agreeable in manner as he Ii impressive
in appearance and strong in character-and one
or two other gentlemen, whose conversation more
than recopciled me to losing the speaking on the
floor, which. in my position, found 1t impossible
10 hear.