The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-05-02
The Virginia Reform Characterization.
Henry A. Wise.


From the Petersburg.(va) Democrat, April 20
No body Of men coald have assembled under more
favorable circumstances than did the present con-
stitutions convention of Virginia. The great mass
Of the people Disguised with the aristocratic
features Of the present constitution were ashamed
of its contracted and antiquated spirit, and were
anxious to exert for themselves more influence in
the administration OF the government. The mem
bers of the convention were elected under pledge
to accomplish the most thorough reforms in the
constitution, and the people were prepared to ac-
cept the result of their labors with gratitude. But,
instead of addressing themselves at once, and with
practical purpose, to the task before them, the
members Of the convention entirely lost sight of the
wants and interests Of the people, and exerted them
selves only in illustrating their eloquence by indug-
ing in a boundess and endless debate upon every
conceivable proposition, from the most trivial to
the most important. Instead of serving the people,
the members were busy only in serving themselves.
The neglect of the peoples business brought upon
the convention the contempt and Indignation of the
people. The elaborate orations of members were
despised, their windy harangues ridiculed, and all
their reasonable displays of rhetoric Kissed and
scorned. The people have been disappointed ana
disgusted, and they regard the convention now
only with contempt and dersion. Anxious as they
for the reform of the constitution, they would,
tomorrow, scout the proposition for "A convention,
if it could be again submitted to them.
A Characteristic scene is enacting in the conven-
ton at the present moment. member is just
concluding speech which he has been delivering
for four days. Now, is it conceivable that so sim
pie proposition rs the basis of representation
should require for its discussion more than an hour
or two! IN the last convention, the afuent minds
Of Tazewell and Leigh, and Randolph, were con-
tent with n few hours investigation OF subject in
he discussion of which days and nights are con
sumed by the pigmies of the present body But
| the members OF the convention are not satisfied
with the legitimate and logical discussion of pro-
position question must be viewed in every con
ceivable relation, and infinite torrent of dema-
goguism must be given vent to.
The speech of Henry A. Wise is one of the most
remarkable haTangues ever delivered TO delhi
ratiye body. Whether considered in respect Of its
ma gnitude, the manner of its delivery, or the
doctrines it promulgates, it is u phenomenon-an
Intellectual monster. No man who has not seen
and heard him in his present performance, can form
the least conception Of tho matter or the manner.
The attitudes and gestleulations OF the man are in
| themselves a marvel. Now he stands erect, with
/ uplifted hand imporng the favor, or imprecating
\ the wrath of heaven again no sinks almost to the
! floor in the agony of some extreme passion Now
he whispers forth the accents of persu aston, anon
\ he Kisses out some withcring anathema. At one
time his voice rings like the bleat of suffering
calf; again it sinks to the solemn sound of a Sun
day sermon. At one moment his face beams WITH
gentleness presently it flames with all the passions
of fury. lie strides up and down the floor, he
losses and swings his arms, he shakes his fist and
points his finger he stamps and raves and scowls.
The matter is suited to the manner. Such
torrent of twadde, such mush mixture of mere
fustian, such agonizing pathos such erratic flights
OK fancy, sucn DAstlng lnNectiye, Sucn solemn
prayers, such blasphcmous imprccstions! Every
topic is discussed by the orator. matter what its
irreleyapcy. Now he Is specializing about the origin
of society; in moment he launches into an invec-
tive against race-horses. Now he is complimenting
Jesus Christ, and now abusing John Randolph; at
one moment he quotes Shakespeare, mt another the
Bible, Magma Charta, and King John, the declaa-
ton Of Independence, and Thomas jefferson, the
Modes and Persians, the Greeks and Romans, the
French and English, the whites and blacks-all
figure in this comprehensive me iiey. But to say
that this speech of Henry A. Wise is not charac-
lied by ability, is to utter manifest absurdity.
In mountains of the merest trash aud dirt, are
scattered gems of the first water. Mr.. Wise i al
orator; he and does control the will and feelings
Of the men he addresses In power, in interest Ia
effect, no man in the convention can compare with
him. Crowds flock to hear him, just they go TO
the play house, to be amused and excited by CONF
passages and BY brilliant defamation Booth was
playing Hamlet ut the theatre and Wise liarle
quin the capitol, and the latter drew the crowd
But when we say Wises speech is a theatrical ex-
hiblti0n, we do not mean to intimate that he pro-
duces no impression. lie does produce an imples
sion, if not upon the convention, yet upon the
galleries, 10 whom he especially addresses himself.
IL II impossible to characterize the doctrines of Mr.
" ise's hauangue in terms sufficiently denuncia-
tory. Their tendency is mischevous 10 the last
degree. We speak not of his opinions upon the
basis Of representation, but Of those socialist doe
triIes which he promulgates with all the zeal of the
reddcst republican. The whole burden Of his ora
tic i abuse Of the rich (whom he calls the aristo
cratl and laudatous OF the poor; and the inev
table effect Of his doctrines, il TO exaspcrate aud
excite these two classes Of society against ano
Their.
The tendency Of his doctrines is revolutionary
indeed lac openly proclaims, that rather than sub
nit 20 what he calls the domination of the aristo
crats, he would excite rebellion. Hence We de.
nOunce tie doctrines put forth by Henry 4. Wise,
a dangerous to the peace Of society; and their per-
ucicus tendency should be counteractcd " be
united opposition Of all good men.