The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-07-18

you tuNlseu OF IT, tours, truly
...,.,-y-- J.W.N.
From the Saturday Evening Post
+. LETTERS FROM GRACE GREENWOOD. Z"
WASHINGTON, June 20, 1850.
GENTLRMEN: The proceedings of Congress for
the week past have been interesting, but not
highly exciting in character Next week will
probably come the tug Of war " on the Compro-
mise Bill
On Monday and Tuesday, Mr.. Soule addressed
the Senate at length, on his amendment. The
exordium of his speech was, should say, rather
unfortunate. Ii was not conceived in spirit Of
remarkable kindness, or modesty, to say the least
He INDUCED rather freely in censures and sar-
cssms on certain principles and sentiments pre-
vailing throughout large portion Of his adopted
country. and honestly and firmly advocated by
some Of the ablest and most honorable members
Of that Senate, to which he has been exalted
through the very spirit Of liberty and federation
which he seems himself TO lack and disregard
and where he stands as an alien and an anomaly.
He was not even complainant and complimentary
enough to call the sentiment of the North "a
mistaken philanthropy, doing more honor to the
heart than the head, but CONTEMPORARY pro-
nOunced it ga blind fansticismn
The style of this speaker Is dramatic in high
degree; his attitudes full Of artistic elegance
and grace, and some Of his tones, looks and ges-
lures, would have done honor to Talma Hiss q
peculiarly French style of speaking-briliant
and striking, but lacking think, the higher es-
sentials of oratory. MIR. Soule has neither the
ponderous argument, and calm Luminous reason
ing Of Webster-nor the mighty will, now bold
and imperious, now irresistibly persuasive--the
inspiring, subduing, overmastering eloquence of
| Clay-nor yet the varied, powerful, impassioned
oratory Of Corwin. But, as said IL IL dramatic,
| and is better suited to the French Chamber of
| Deputies, than to a Senate whose members, In
their honor be it said, are, with few exceptions,
marked by true Anglo-Saxon simplicity, earnest
ness vigor and soliditv.
On Wednesday, Judge Douglas Of Illinois re-
piled to Mr.. Soule in most mastery manner, il
is thought. He was evidently perfectly assured
and fortified on all the points at issue. Judge
Douglas is a strong man, should say, in more
respects than one, for though of slight person. he
looks vigorous, and there Is much of fire and res
oution in his fine dark eye. II is rare to see
such an amount Of spirit and energy packed into
50 small compass
On Thursday, we listened to long and most
peculiar speech from the lately appointed success
sor to Mr. Calhoun. This was powerful dose
of the extremest South Carolina ultraism The
greatness of his redecessor--feeling on his
shoulders more the burden of his notification,
than the mantle Of his inspiration He seemed
haunted by the shade of departed genius-to fear
that the spectre-eye was upon him, the spectre
ear listening for his words groundless appre-
hension il is to be hoped, the soul of the ora
tor was just then, probably, anywhere else than
in the Senate Chamber.
have heard, somewhere and sometime, a little
story of certain black bird, who, while leading
q retired, pastoral life among the meadows and
corn-felds, beheld, one day, gallant old eagle
brought down by the swift shaft Of remorseess
archer, from his eyry on high perilous peak,
overlooking sea and land. When the black bird
saw that lofty place all vacant and desolate, he
resolved he would ascend thither, and, though be
could not I'LL, he would patriotcally occupy the
storm-tossed eyry, till the coming Of another Of
the right regal race The fable goes on TO say
that when there came on such tempests as were
wont to call forth the loud defyipg scream Of the
grand old eagle then the black bird rising with
ruffled feathers, would look forth boldly from his
huge eyry, and do his best in a shrill, menacipg
whistle which would pierce for a short space into
the darkness and the tumult, there to be cried
down by the winds, and drowned by the waves In |
and laudabe effort on the part Of the blaok-bird
to whistle at all under such circumstances. But
pray pardon this lengthy and utterly irrelevant
DEPRESSION.
The new Senator from Soath Carolina was fol- |
lowed by General Foote Of Mississippi, who gave
us fine specimen Of his most passionate style,
and Mr.. Butler Of South Carolina, whose manner
of speaking admire for its energy and clearness.
Mr.. Davis Of Mississippi also spoke, at great
length, and In violent, uncopcliatory spirit He
came down hot and heavy on bis colleague, Mr..
81 skn.. L..
ton, or defepce--so we had q spicy debate. Dur
ing his speech, this beligerent statesman rather
went out Of his way to do up the letter writers,
some Of whom, IL seemed, had misrepresented
him, but whom lie, without discrimination, and
en- paae, denounced and defcd. Looking up
into the gallery, where sat the offenders, innocent
ly nibbiDg their pens, he seemed 10 regard them |
as long line Of literary Mexicans, opened hot
fire upon them, and gave no quarter. The next
morning fully expected to see that gallery clear
ed Of the killed and wounded, but, on my soul,
there they were again all sound and hearty,
taking notes and recording votes.
On Friday, Mr. Davis Of Massachusetts com-
meuced speaking on the amendment Of Mr. Souls,
but did not conclude until to-day. His speech
was conceived in an admirable spirit, and deliv-
cred in calm, but earnest manner. Ii was char
aoteriled throughout by clear, close reasoning,
and tone Of manly sincerity, worthy one who
wears, a. acrown Of honor, such popular sotsiqaa
as that Of Honest John
Have you any idea Of the multitudnous amount
of Generals, Colonies, Governors, and Judges,
there are in this Congress 1 hardly know man
in either House who does not sport some military
or civil title They are not exactly call corpo-
ralsp but something higher up. Among the Cen
erals OF the Senate, with bun vest buttcned up TO
the chin, a Ia wilaaus, sits the gallant Shields,
with as many lives as 9 cat, and all nine devoted
to the service Of his country One, to look ON his
genial face and erect figure, would hardly sup
pose he had ever fought 70 hercsly, or been 70
riddlsd by the bullets Of the enemy.
Near him sits General Greene, Of Rhode Island,
"a true-heartsd mar" people tell me--and most
certainly his frank, pleasant coun'snsnoe BEARS
them out In al suoh assertions.
few days since, Colonel Fremont Wa pointed
out 70 me, In the Senate Chamber. HE stood
leaning over The seat Of his stately fAther-in-aw
with him, and In that position aud at
r n H. .tak A f~asn