The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-07-30

legates. He is a strong man, land dholds rank
with the leading iutellects of the South. His
weight will be felt in the Senate. MIR. Cheves,
of the same delegation, is hale, wllite-headed
old gentleman, with fine port wine tint on his
florid cheek He has high reputation, be-
lieve, but during the session of the Convention,
he said but little The most eloquen; man OF
this delegation is Mr.. Pickens. He made
speech on the sixth day, that surpassed any
thing in the way of forensic eloquence, | ever
imagined He has n face like the old Roman
emperors which have seen on a coin, Nerva,
| think; and his oratory is worthy OF the 70
rum. BY turns, calm and tempesuous, gentle
and strong, witty and wither1ng, logical and
imaginative; at one moment the audience would
be electrified with the thunders of the rock
beating surges; and at another showered upon
with flowers His rhetoric was prOlusely or.
namented with figures and metaphors, like ex
qusite mosaic Altogether he is one of the most
finished orators it has been my good fortune to-
listen to-; and the Colonel says his speech on
this occasion was worthy to be compared to
the most noble efforts of Writ and Patrick Hen.
ry. Carolina truly sent her jewels here, and
their talents have won them golden opinions.
Be assured Mr.. McMakin, that the sentiments
of this State have been entirely misrepresentcd.
Throughout the Conventen her sons were mo-
dels of conservatism and healhful patriotism.
Seated near them, was the Mayor of Charles
ton; called the "haudsome Mayor" Mr.. Il,
worthy descendant of Col. Hutchinson of
Cromwells time, and of the Mrs. Hutchinson
whose memoirs are so we'll known. He was
pointed out to ME by lady with: "DoT't you
think he is the handsomest man in the house!'
He is not delegate, but "A "looker on here III
Vienna He has been to the mammoth cave
near here, within few days past, and his de-
scription of it to me, must give you, it is so
truthful. "Ihe sensation" said he, con behol-
ding it when standing beneath the main dome,
is precisely like that experienced in gazing up
on Niagara, Il is Niagara in rcpose."
The Virginia delegation took very active
part in all the debates. 1t was possible, more
ultra than any of the rest The Hon. Beverly
Tucker, half brother ofJohn Randolph, spoke
often, but what he did say did not please me-.
Heis moreover past his vigor, and entering his
dotage. His speech was exceeding bitter and
out of ftenper. twas almost the only one that
was recriminating against the North; for sp-
| rit of forbearance against the North has pecu-
larly marked the whole body. The North is
alluded to as " out northern brethren" or our
sister states" &C., and as have said total
absence of vituperation. Mr.Tucker, however,
something in the spirit and something in the
manner of Randolph of Roanoke, let out his
bitterness; and was sometimes forgctfui that
ladies were present He is venerable and
gentemanly looking man. and bears high rep
ntation; I believe, buti is rather for what he
has been. The most able and patriotic member
of the Virginia delegation was MIR. Gordon,
who spoke always well and to the purpose
He has something of the massiveness of Web.
ster in his manner of speaking, and was always
listened to with deep interest
The several delegations from the several
States, (uine in all y were seated each by itself.
The two places Of honor, the front pews on
each side of the broad aisle, directly in front
of the Presidents chair, was givcnto to 5. Carolina
aud Mississippi; on the right of the latter WAS
Virginia, occupying two pews, on the lett OF
Carolina was Florida In the rear OF S. Carolia
was Alabama, and in the rear OF Mississippi was
placed the Georgians. The. Tennessee del
egates among which was General Pillow, in a
military white vest, and Major w. H.. Polk, the
late Presidents brother, occupied the side view
on the left of the pulpet. In front of the pulpit
is carpeted platform, within the chancel rail-
ing, on which dozen little green tables were
placed for editors and reporters.
In the centre, before the desk, sat Judge
Sharkey, and the vice. president, Gov. McDon
aid, of Georgia, supported by their secretaries.
What, with the vast assemblagc before then
and the reflection upon the important subject
which had convened such house, the whole
scene was imposing and solemn in the extreme.
Perhaps since the meeting of the Signcrs OF the
Declaration OF our priceless Independence, no
convention has been assembled in the Union so
fraught with profound and sober interest US this.
1t was no assemblage of young politicians am
bilious for notoriety. Everywherejas looked
over the house, my eyes fell on gray heads ven.
cradle by wisdom. The majority Of the mem.
bers were men whose names are known to the
world with distinction men who are the pride
and glory and honor of the South Governors,
judges, exnep,bers of Congress, eminent jurists
and distinguished orators, composed the assem-
bly,. Dignifed in its character, calm and delib.
crate in its debates, as if impressed with the So
lennity Of their combined attitude before the
country and the world-they struck ME as for.
ming for the time being, the true congress of
the country; for the constitutional assemblies