Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1851-01-23

that his own excitement was so grea
as to pitch his voice almost into
screech, and 10 make him more dis
orderly than all the rest. He pu
one in mind Of fine old gamecocE
and occasionally showed great enei
gy and power of sarcasm. | ha
certainly an opportunity OF formin
my opinion, as | sat through speec
of his that lasted three days; bu
it is fair to mention that the actua
sittings hardly last above three hour
a day-about four, dinner is ready
and they 60 away for the day, differ
ing much herein from our practice
and on this occasion they frequentl,
allowed MIR. Adams 10 sit down I
rest. All the time | believe he wa
not himself for the discontinuance O
Slavery, even in the District Of Co
lumbia, but he contended that tn
Constitution had accorded the fret
right OF petition. One morning h
presented a petition for the dissolu
lion Of the Union, which raised {
tempest. Mr.. Marshall Of fKentucky
a fine and graceful speaker, moved a
vote Of censure upon him. Another
member, whom I need not name, the
ablest and fiercest champion whom
heard on the Southern or slavehOld-
er side, made most savage onslaught
on Mr.. Adams; then up got that sold
man eloquent" and no one could
have reproached him with not un-
derstanGing how to speak even dag
gers. His brave but somewhat trou-
blesome spirit has passed from the
scenes upon which he played so con-
spicuous part, but he has lett behind
him some words of fire, the sparks
of which are not yet extinct. Moth
ing came of all this stir; | used to
meet Mr.. Adams at dinner while it
went on, very calm and undisturbed.
After seeing and hearing what takes
place in some Of these sittings, one
is tempted TO think that the Union
must break up next morning; but
the flame appeared generally TO
shoulder almost as quickly as it igni-
ted. The debates in the Senate, du-
ring the same period, were dignifed,
business-like, and not very lively; so
it may be judged which house had
most attraction for the passing trav-
eler. heard Mr.. Clay in the Senate
once, but every one told me that he
was laboring under feebleness and
exhaustion, so that ! could only per-
ceive the great man in the tones Of
his voice. | think the most attTac-
tive quality was more perceivable in
private intercourse, as | certainly
never net any public man, either in
his country or in mine, always excep-
ting Mr.. Canning, who exercised
such evident fascination over the
minds and affections of his friends
and followers as Henry Clay. |
thought his society most attractive,
easy, simple, and genial, with great
natural dignity. If his countrymen
make better men Presidents, should
applaud their virtue in resisting the
spell of his eloquent attractions.-I
When the actual list is considered,
my respect for the discernment eIici-
led by universal suffrage does not
stand at very high point. Another
great man, Daniel Webster, could
not hear in either House Of Congress,
because ne then filled as he does now,
the high Office of Secretary Of State;
butit is quite enough TO look on his
iutting dark brow and cavernous
eyes and massive forehead. to be as
sured that they are the abode of as
much, if not more, intellect than any
head you perhaps ever remarked.
/ see many, if not for all reasons,
am well content that he should be
again at the head OF the American
Cabinei, for feel sure that while he
IS ever intensely American, he has an
love of peace, and a
cordial sympathy with the fortunes
and glories of the old, as well as the
new Auglo-Saxon stock. The late
Mr.. Calhoun, who impressed most OF
hose who were thrown in his way
with high opinion Of his ability,
his honesty, and / may add, his i'm
oracticability, had not the good
ortune to hear in public, or meet in
private society. Ii is well known
hat his attachment TO the mainte-
nance Of Slavery went so far as to
cad him TO declare that real freedom
could not be maintained without it.
Among those who at that time con-
.ributed both 10 the credit and gaiety
If the society Of Washington, ] can
lot forbear from adding the name Of
Mr. Legare, then the. Attorney-Gen-
,ral Of the Union, now unhappily,
ike too many Of those whom l have
lad occasion to mention, no longer
living. He appeared 10 me the best
cholar, and the most generally ac-
man. I met in all the |,