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


"REMINISCENCES IN CONGRESS-"
BY oHAs. W. MARCH,
Work Just published by Baker & Scribner, Ne,
York, Emo, PIP. 1916.
e HENRY CLAY AS SPEAKER
Certainly, presided over apy deIiberatiy
body, in this country with more personal popularity
influence than Mr. Clay. He governed the House will
more ahsolueness than any Speaker that preceded
followed him. It power founded on characte
and manners Fearless, energetic decided he swayec
the llnd ny superior will and governed the bold through
sympathy. A clivarc bearing easy address and 3
warm heart drew around him crowds Of admirers f[e
cnilVated-What cur great men too much negect-the
philosophy OF None knew better than he the
wondrous power in seeming trihes; how much word
tone, look can accomplish; what direction give tc
the whole character OF opinion and conduct. There
seemed nothing constrained in his courtesy nothing 81
INFLATED all his manner simple, unaffected and ar.
dent 1t were not genuine he had early arrived at the
perfection OF art, and concealed the art.
AS an orator, ne was unequalled, in assembly
that boosted OF Cheeves, of Lowndes Of FORSYTH and
others no less distinguished His voice sonoroas
and musical falling with proper cadence from the high
est to the lowest tones; at times when in narrative
description, modulated, smooth and pleasing, like
sounds OF running water but when raised to animate
and cheer, it was clear and sprstrrng as the notes
OF clarion, the House all the while ringing with its
melody
Ottenmes he left his chair to address the House. A
call OF the House would not have brought members in
more eagerly. Few indeed could have INDUCED in such
frequency OF Speech and retained personal ascendancy
But his influence seemed to increase in strength the
oener it was exerted. He had a wonderful TACT, by
which he Judged, as by intuition, when the subject or
the patience OF his audience threatened to be exhaus
ted; and took always to leave the curiosity of his
hearers unsatlSted.
/ " l member Of the House during the war"
writes gentleman to the editor these papers. "and
was present when Mr.. Clay made his farewell speech
| on resignng the Speakership 1t was an impressive
occasion. Not only were all the seats ofmembers
cupled, but many Senators attended, and large mis-
| cellaneous crowd. The which he had been most
active in hastenng and most energetic in prosecuting
| he was now commissed with others to close. He was
the youngest Of the commissioners but sagacous far be-
yond his years. The hopes OF the country tired OF a
protracted struggle, grew brighter from his appoint
| ment.
Undoubtedly, at this time, even in his youthful age
| he had rival in popularity. His name was every
where familiar as ''househod words" His own bear
ing evineed consciousness OF his favor in the country
WAS struck with his appearance this OCCASION
| mere was fire in his eye, and elaton in his coun-
tenance buoyancy in his whole action that seemed
the sell-cohsciousness of coming greatness. Hope
prghtened and 10y elevated his As full of con-
dence gallant bearing, and gratitied look he took his
seat IN the Speakers chair, his towering height even
more conspicuous than usual, could not but call to
mlnd vernon description OF Henry, Prince of Wales,
| IN Shakespeare
| saw young Harry, with his beaver on
Ills cusses on hs thigh CALAMITY armed,
Use from the ground, like feathered Mercury,
| And vaulted with such ease into his seat,
| As if an angel dropped down from the clouds
| To turn and wind fiery Pegasus
And witch the world with uoble horsemanship'
Gage at this time had not wheed nor custom stalled
the infinite variety of his genius The defects OF his
character had not been developed prosperity had
summed them and they lie unsproued his heart
had he committed any of the bunders Of his later life
which, in political view, have been pronounced
than crimes.
After he had resigned the chair, in neat and APP
proprate speech, he came down to the floor aud mem
bers surrounded him. to express their great grief his
withdrawal mingled, however, with congratulations
upon his appointment, and with the expression of
pulne authorization OF the OF his mission"
HAYNE AND WEBSTER.
| Hayne dashed into the debate, like Mameluke caval-
| ry upon charge. There gallant air about him
that could not fail to win admiration. He never pro-
vided for retreat; he imagined it. He had in
yiuc,ele confidence IN hunself, which arose partly
from constitutional temperament, partly from pre-
vious He the Napoleonic warfare; to
strike at for the capital OF the enemy, needless Of
danger cost to his own forces. Not doubling to
overcome all odds, he feared none, however seemingly
superior. Ut great ueney and no little force OF ex-
pression his speech halted, and seldom fagued
| His oratory graceful and persuasive. An i'm
passoned manner, somewhat vehement at times, but
rarely if ever eXravagaut; voice well modulaed and
clear; distinct though rapid enunciaon; a confident
but often offensive address, these accompanying and
| illustrating language well selected, and periods wei
| turned made him popular and effective speaker.
| His forte was, still, rather defamation than argu-
men; of close, ratocination which rejects every
thing but what leads to conviction, he knew little lie
was not without certain kind OF specious ogic which
with the multitude OF listeners would pass for current
coin 1t had the FORM the impress and superficial APP
pearance OF the pure metal; but it wanted weight or
| examination, and had no genuine ring in its sound.
One of the most graphic descriptions in the volume
is the account of Mr.. Websters Speech in the Senate
in reply to Col Hayne on Foots Resolution.
at was on Tuesday, January the 26th 1890 "a day
hereafter forever memorable in Senatorial annals
that the Senate resumed the consideration of Foots
Resolution. There was before, in the city,
casion OF so much excitement. To witness this great
intellectual contest muttudes OF strangers had for two
J,u iptC Tho itu
the hotels overlooked As early ass O'Clock this
morning, crowds poured into the Copitol in hot hase
at 10 o'clock the hour of meeting the Senate Chamber
its galleries, floor, and even lobbes-was filled to It's
utmost capacity. The very stairways dark with
men who hung to one another like bees in swarm.
! The House OF Representatives was early deserted
An adjournment would have hardly made it emptler.-
The Speaker twas true, retained his chair, but no bu-
siness OF moment was or could be- attended to. Mem
bers all rushed in to hear Mr. Webster, aud call OF
the House or other parliamentary proceedings, could
compel them back The floor of the Senate was SO
densey crowded that persons in could not get out
nor change their positions in the rear OF the Vice Pres
dents chair the crowd was particularly intense Dixon
IL. Lewis, then Representative from Alabama became
wedged in here. From his enormous size it was I'M
possible for him to without dispacng vast por-
ton of the multitude Unfortunately for him, too, he
was iammed directly in behind the chair of the Vice
President where he could not see, and hardly hear the
Speaker By slow and laborous efort-pausing occa-
sonaIy to breathe he gained one OF the windows,
which, constructed OF painted glass, flank the chair of
the Vice President either side. Here he paused I'M
able to make more Roadway. But determined to see
Mr., Webster as he spoke, with his knife he made a
large hole in OF the panes of glass which is still
sble he made it. Many placed not to be
| able to see the speaker at all.
The courtesy of Senators accorded to the tarer
room on the foor-,he most gallant of them, their own
seats The gay bonnets and brilliant dresses threw
varied and picturesque beauty over the scene sotenng
and embelshing it,
Seldom if ever has speaker in this or any other
country had powerful incentives to exertlon;
subject the determination of which involved the most
important interests ami DURATION OF the Republic
competitors unequaed in reputation, ability or posi-
i ton a name to make still glorious, lose for
ever and audience, comprising not only persons OF
this country eminent IN intellectual greatness, but
representatives OF other nations where the art OF eo-
quence had flourshed for ages All the soldier seeks
in opportunity was here.
Mr. Webster perceived, and felt equal to, the desnie'
of the moment The very greatness OF the hazard ex
harated him. His spirits arose with stern and i'm
patient Joy. He felt like the war horse OF the Scrip
iures-who "paweth in the valley and reioceth in hi
strength: who goeth out to meet the armed nen,-wht
sayeth among the trumpes, ha ha and who smel leth
the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains and the
i shouting"