Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-11-29


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SARGENT s. PRENTIss.
The Richmond Republican publishes the follow
ing wel-written "reminiscences of Mr.. PRENTIss,
by I. b. THORPE, Esq:
8. 8. PaEsrIss was born in Portland, Maine, sspem-
Der 30h, lSOs His father enterpsng and
full shpmsser at Portland Mr. PaEsrss remarkable
in bis youth for great personal beauty intelligence and
fondncss for reading Mr. THoarx gives the following ge
which the reader may have before but which be will
not regret to often:
picture Of the youthful Prsntiss l. beautifully por
tayed BY his exquisite mind in his address before the
New Orleans New England Society On that occasion be-
said:
bosst-.he brightest jewel that sdons her brow. Behold.
said be- yonder simple building the crossing of the
village roads is Of small and rude construction, but
stands in pleasant and quiet spot magnificent old elm
spreads s broad above and to lean towards as
strong man bends to shelter and protect child brook
through the meadow near, and hard by there is an
orchard but the trees have suffered much, and bear fruit
except upon the remote and inaccessible branches
From within lis walls comes busy hum such as you may
hear in disturbed beehive Now, peep through yonder
window, and you will hundred children, with rosy
cheeks mschievous and demure faces, oil engaged
pretending to be engaged in their little lessons Il s the pub
lie schoo-he free, the common schoo-provided BY law
open to oil claimed from the community right. not ac-
cepted bounty. Here the children Of the rich and poor
under the auspices the life Here the snstenance
Of the mind served all alike, Sparans served their
food upon the public table, Here young ambition climbs its
little ladder. and boysh genius pumes its half Aedged wings
Ffom among these laughing children will 60 forth the men
who 70 control their age and country the statesman
whose wisdom guide the Senate the poet who will take
captive the hearts Of the people, and bind them together with
immortal song the philosopher, who, cody sezng upon
the elements themselves will compel them his wishes,
and. through combinations Of their primal laws, by some
great discovery TevolutioDize both art and science
"The picture complete. Il in the public school Of
New England that the boy Prens first climbed ambitions
little ladder that eventually to take him TO the height Of
noble profession and pumed his hslffedged wing, des
tined to in regions Of unvaled eloquence. II
in tho mention of the demure face and the orchard sp
of fruit except the and inaccessible branches,
that we distinguish the love Of fun and the thoughes daring
that pened finally into the keenest wit and the braves
'front.'"
Mr.. PRESrras graduated in Bowdoin College in 1926.
Having graduated he went the city Of Cincinnati, where
he made the acquaintance of eminent lawyer, who judg
ing that ths 6ey temperament, chivalrous thought and
the prompt action Of the young advenurer would best en
under Southern sun, directed his steps towards the field
which he % win 20 many and uahap
PLY find early grave"
Mr.. Prentiss first settled in Nachez, Mississippi where he
continued his law studies night and taught school day
Admitted to the bar be reached stride the first rank
Of the lawyers Of Mississippi Soon after, he settled in Vicks
burg, and in few months overwhelmed with business
His a the bar and in the field Of politics Of
unparalleled bliancy In connexion with the latter, Mr..
Thorpe gives the following amusing incident which occurred
during exciting of Prens for seat in Congress:
Among the shrewd worIdngs who took advantage of
such times to coin money the proprietor of travelling
ho that tydo
Prenss Getting the list of that remarkable appoint
ments' be filed up his and was noticed
singular coincidence, that the orator arrived along with the
other sions The Of this meeting discovered
and the boys decided that Prenss should time speak
from the top Of the lions cage Never the menagee
crowded At the proper time, the candidate gra6ed
bis constituents and mounted his singular rosrum was
told by person who prossed to be eye witness that the
whole affair presented singular mixture Of the terrible and
the comical Prentiss was usual eloquent, and, if
ignorant Of the novel circumstances with which be
rounded went deeply into the matter in hand his election
For while the audience and the animals quiehe
former listening, the latter eyeng the speaker with grave nen-
sy The first burst Of applause electrified the menagere
the elephant threw bis trunk into the air and echoed back
the noise while the tigers and bears significantly groled
On went Pentss and each peculiar animal vented his
rage appreciation, he most ngenousy wrought bis habits
fac sik Of some passion. In the while,
the stately king Of beasts who had been quietly eadng the
Of his prison, became alarmed at the footsteps his
head and placing his mouth upon the floor Of his cage made
every thing shake BY bis terrible This joined with the
already excited feelings the AUDIENCE caused the ladies to
shfek, and fearful commoon for moment followed. Prem
ts equal 70 every OCCASION changed his and
he commenced playful strain, and introduced the fox the
ackal and hyena and capped the climax by kenng
weknOwn political opponent grave babboon that presd
ed the cage with monksys The resemblance in
sany recognised and bursts of laughter followed that liter
ally set many into convusons. The babboon, all uncon-
scous Of the attention be attracting, suddenly assumed
gimacc, and then FERROUS face when Preniss exclaimed
my fine fellow, that your fScins- hu by nv u-
just comparisons and humby pardon The enscs
ofa this may Be vaguely imagined but it cannot be de-
scribed.'
The following il given by Mr. Thorpe illustration Of
the completeness Of PREsrss figures Speaking Of II
Sub Treasury, be said ,.ss
Turks, with jealous golden harem bu, will seek in
vain for the financial eunuch which has the power guard
without the desire TO enjoy"
Mr. Thorpe has interesting sketch Of PRxxrrsss great
speech in defence Of the Wilkesons tried on charge Of
murder Every kind Of talent was display in this master
speech The following illustrates the payfulness with
which he could relieve the soberness Of tho sombre picture
une Of the witnesses, although he fred pistol and
Knocked of the defendants down. esve 81 hin
m manner that indicated such perfect indifference to the
sneddog OF blood and willingness 10 set into aht thai
anorded hns opportunity for Prensss payfncss and he
treats this witness follows
oursy.adr - must be the knight -errant Of the sse
sne Don Quxoe Of the West the paragon Of modern chv
any he lights not from the base desire Of Vengeance nor
nom .ne sodld love Of sods not from patriotism or friend
chip higher and ofier sentiments from his pure
arden love Of glorious strife He smeleth the
battle aiar of and to the sound Of the trumpet he saith Hal
ha! To him