The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-02-06
For the National Era.
LETTERS FROM THE CAPITOL.


social world Of Washington.
In the Senate, California land titles and me-:
vate land claims have occupied most of the time
Mr. Benton and Mr. Berrien have been exter.
sively heard from on these questions. | alwsvs
listen with interest to Colonel Benton, not for the
reason that lately heard lady give. that no
is so delightfully."- personal in his remarks to.
this, though true of him, and sometimes on = drn
day productive of pleasant, little excitemen, ;,
by no means popularity, or a distinction in ,ha
Senate. But for his strong, bold, straisb,.sor
ward way of speaking, the sledge-hsmmer s,v,a
of his argument, the merciless cut and thrust %
his invective, one can but pay him sort of fear.
full homage. His wit is not the harmless pbos.
phorescent light which plays necessarily along
the course of elegant and graceful OratOry; it ia
rather like the quick, sharp light which the hoors
of fierce and powerful horse strike from finty
path at night.
On Friday morning, there was a brief but
very interesting, discussion on the Amistad claim.
in which Chase, Clay, and Hale, took part. MIR
Chase spoke as usual, with much clearness and
force. He is one of the most manly and truly
dignifed members Of the Senate He proclaims
his peculiar principles, unpopular as they are
with q majority of that body, equally without
fear and without bravado. He has independence
without obstinacy, sincerity without brusquenees,
and morality without can't. In the beginning of
the debate, Mr.. Clay made an attack upon Mr.
Hale, giving an extra point to his remarks by
pointing his long, rebuking finger At that good
humored Senator. Mr. Hale could not have been
advised of this fierce onslaught; yet he defended
himself or rather returned the sudden blow, with
a quickness, a boldness, and severity absolutely
startling. He turned the tables at once-"car
ried the war into Africa mot by attacking the
Colonization scheme, but by charging on the
Compromise. Mr.. Hale may not always come
forth fully prepared to meet his adversares with
some ponderous argument, or sos cu,tiug sar-
casm, long sharpened and polished for the occa-
sion, but he is always ready to seize at once on
whatever weapons lie nearest his strong hand
There is a story of Saracen chief, who, being
suddenly called to battle, while the smith was yet
welding his cimetar, caught it from the anvil and
dashed up the mountain side, letting the winds
temper it as he rode So this bold debater
snatches in haste the arms of his argument or
wit, and if the winds of the occasion cool and
harden the blade, we'll and good-if not, he some
times does terrible execution with the hot, I'M
tempered steel
This interesting discussion was brought to an
untimely end by the Presidents calling the New
Hampshire Senator to order, though he was only
replying to the personal remarks which his dis
tinguished opponent pursued sans rebuke and
sans interruption. But Free-Soiers are evident
ly not among the men whom the King delight
eth to honoro
In the House, the Mint bill has been under
DISCUSSION Mr.. Chandler of Philadelphia,
speaker who always commands respectful and
pleased attention, has spoken very forcbly against
the establishment of a mint in New York The
New York delegation are, rs might be supposed,
earnestly in favor of it--so we had quite spicy
debate on the question Were not conscien-
tiously opposed to puns, should say that the ora
julep-slightly dashed with an aqueous element,
and with more mint than spirit,
On Wednesday, Mr.. Julian of Indiana made
l.an ~. ~r.~.A Z. tLe H~uestrad hill. This was
strong, fearless, and eloquent expression of
liberty-loving and pbianthropic spirit 1t is lying
before me now, and have just been reading some
of its finest passages and, brief and unstudied as
it is, it does not seem to me speech for one day,
or for one Congressional session. 1t seems nerv-
ed with the strength of q great purpose, veined
with vital truth, moral life-blood beating
through it warm and generous. 1t is something
that must live and work yet many days.
Social life for the past week has rolled on in
the usual routine--receptions levees, parties
parties, levees, receptions There are many, alas |
who are utterly involved in this fashionable
whirlpool--swept away by this hurricane-life
Poor creatures! Yet there is nothing like getting
used to such things. shouldn't wonder If come
rather liked it than otherwise--if, like Holiness
Tresdmill hero, they should pronounce il " pref
ty sport" and, even after their release feel dis
posed to return and hare round or t,rO, for fu"
MIR. Dempster has been giving his Ballad
Entertainments here to admiring audiences
No one sings more directly to the heart, or can
more readily sound its depths of emotion, than
this delightful vocalist. His clear, round notes
drop into it, one by one, like shining pebbles, till
it ovcrhows in tears, sparkles up and dances in
mirth. His humor and pathos are alike irresisti-
blc-he gives strong voice to plain, manly thought,
and sweet voice to simple, humble loves--he makes
the spirit of home life vocal-he is truly singer
for the people, one they do we'll to honor for he
has faithfully done his part towards bringing
about, for their refinement and elevation, an
equality in the most refined Of all pleasures-the
democracy Of art.
We have also enjoyed very great treat in At
tending Mr.. Vandenhof's Evenings with Sheri-
dan" We went to these with high expectations
which were more than satisfied Mr. Vandenhof
is an admirable reader, as well as an actor Of fine
genius, and gentleman of most elegant appear
ance. The readings were every evening preceded
by sketch of the life, and criticisms on the ge-
MUS, Of Sheriian-and this was by no means the
least interesting part Of the entertainment These
introduc;ions were most happily conceived and
brilliantly written. IL il surely high praise 10
say, what all who heard them must acknowledge
that these clever, witty, dashing, yet most apPre
ciatpg remarks, were fitting and pleasing pre-
lude to the Incompatible comedies of Sheridan
Mr.. vandenhcff's presentations are very fine
he filings himself body and souliuto the characters
he represents | have heard voices OF greater
compass aud variety Of tone than his, bat thing
! never saw face Of such mobility--so ins'an'a>
neously obedient to every change Of thought or
feeling when ali is so good, it were difficult 10
designate best but was especially pleased win
his Sir Anthony Absolute, Mrs. MaaProp, pOo
Acres, Joseph Surface, Sir Peter Teanie, AMI sir
Fretful Plseiary. His male characters are better
.sI M.s Candor IL done 70