The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1850-08-22
Letter from Grace Greenwood.
WASHINGTON, June %, 1850.


Gentlemen: The proceedings of Con-
gross for tho week past has been inter-
es,ing, but not highly exciting in char
acter. Next week viii probably comc
'the tug of war on the Compromise
bill.
On Monday and Tuesday, Mr.. Soule
addressed the Senate at length on his a.
mendment. The exordium Of his speech
was, should say. rather unfortunate.
1t was no, conceived in spirit of re-
markabie kindness, or modesty. to say
the least. He indulged rather freely In
censures and sarcasms on certain pyin-
cipIes and sentiments prevailing through
out his adopted country, and honestly
and firmly advocated by some of the a
blest and most honorable members Of
that Senate, to which he has beert ex-
alted through the very spirit of liberty
and liberation which he seems to lack
and disregard--and where he STANDS an
alien and an anomaly.
He was not even complalsant and
complimentary enough to cell the senti-
mcnt of the north "a mistaken philan-
thropy, doing more honor to the heart
then the head, but contemptuously pro-
nounced it ga blind fanaticism."
The style Of this speaker is dramatic
in high degree; his attitudes are full
of artistic elegance and grace, and
some of his tones. looks, and gestures,
would have done honor to Talma. His
is peculiarly French style Of speak
ing--brilliant and striking, but lacking,
| think the higher essentials of oratory.
Mr. Soule has neither the ponderous ar
gument, and calm and luminous reason
ing Of Webster nor the mighty will,
now bold and imperinus, now irresistibly
persuasive - the inspiring, subdqing,
overnastering eloquence of Ciay-anor
yet the varied powerful, impassioned or
atory of Corwin But as | said, It is
French Chamber of Deputies, then TO
Senate, whose members, in their bon
or be it said, are, with few except ions,
marked by true AngIo-Saxon simplicity,
earnestness, vigor, and solidry.
On Wednesday, Judge Douglass Of
Illinois replied to Mr.. Soule in a most
mastery manner, it is thought. He was
evidently perfectly assured and fortified.
on all the points at issue. Judge Doug
las is a strong man, should say, in
more respects than one, for though of
slight person, he looks vigorous, and
there was much Of fire and resolution
in his fine dark eye. II is rare to see
such an amount of spirit and energy
packed into so small a compass.
On Thursday, we listened to long
and most peculiar speech from the late
lv appointed successor to Mr.. Calhoun.
This was a powerful dose OF the eXtrem-
est South Carolina ultraism. The nom
Orablc Senator arose under the shadow
Of the greatness Of his predecessor
feeling on his shoulders more the burden
Of his notification, than the mantle of
his inspiration He seemed haunted ID by
the shade of departed genius -- to fear
that the sPec!re-eye was upon him, the
spectre-ear listening for his words;
groundless apprehension, 1t is to be hop
ed, as the soul of the orator was jus;
then, probably, anywhere else than in
the Senate Chamber.
have heard somewhere, and somc-
time, "a little story ofa certain black-bIrd.
who while leading a retired pastoral lie
among the meadows and corn fields, b.
held one day, gallant old eagle bro't
down by the swift shaft of a rcmorseleSs
archer, from ;his eyry on high perilous
peak, overlooking sea and land When
the black-bir1 saw that lofty place all
vacant and desolate, he resolve d
he would ascend thither, and, th0ugh
he could not fill, he would patri-
oticaly occupy the storm-tossed cyry,
till the coming of another of the rirh,
regal race. The fable goes on - say
that when there came on such tempc>ts
as were won't to call forth the loud, de-
fying scream of the grand old eagle then
the black-hird, rising with ruflled ieath-
ers, would look forth boldly from his
huge eyry, and do his best in a shrill,
menacing wnistle, which would pierce
for u short space into the darkness and
the tumult, there to be cried down by
/ the WINGS, ufsu uIDN utu ny titt waves III
their hoarse Jashing. Yet it certainly
was a brave and audable effort on the
part of the black bird TO whistle at all
under such circumstances. But pray
pardon this lengthy and utterly irrele-
want digrcssIpn.
The new Senator Of South Carolina
was followed by General Footc of Mis-
sissippi, who gave US a fine specimen o!
! his most passionate style, and Mr.. But
Ter Of South Carolnn, whose manner Of
speaking | admire for its energy and
clearness. MIR. Davis of Mississippi al
so spoke at great length, and in vio-
lent, unconciliatory spirit. He came
down hot and heavy on his colleague,
Mr.. Foote who rose every now and then
in explanation, or defence--so VIC had a
spicy debate. During his speech, this
belligerent statesman rather went out of
his way to do up the letter-wrters, some
of whom, it seemed, had misrepresented
him, but whom he, without discrimina-
tion, and en- masse, denounced and de-