Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1852-01-06
TIE HON, HENRY s. FOOTE.

SoiiSINS'ttio"' At'e' f"O' A"'No'
4.4.5s., -
TIE HON. HENRY S. FOOTE.
This remarkable clatterer has at length torn
himself from the nation, and iora Lille while,
dcvotcs himself to the State of AliGss i. III He
has said that in Il year, we think that Is
the time, though we do not profess to be accu-
rate readers of all the ex-senator says, be
will resume lis seat in the Senate. We are far
from doubling it, Before twelve months have
passcd Mississippi will be glad to get rid Of
him even at the high price of 4 seat in the
Senate. Eut that august body will doubtless
have al eye to its own welfare in his absence,
and if it is only known that he will go to Chi
ma, we have no doubt the expenses Of that
mission will be raised to any amount that is
desired. The Celestials would then have an
idea of a new species in the genus, man. 10
another, the fact that he did not understand
their language, nor they his, might be embar
RAISING. But to Mr.. Foote, we rather think it
would be pleasant. 1t would be so very a
greeabIe to talk for six months, without being
ntcrrupted and make any statement without
being annoyed with the unpleasant austerity of
Il man like Mr. Hunter, declaring that he did
not rccoect a matter, cracily, as the Senator
had stated And then the mute admiration
with which he would be regarded, when he
would recount the peril to which he was ex-
posed with Mr.. Benton; peril which cannot
be over estimated when it is remembered, that
Mr.. Footc had horsenan's pistols, and Mr.
Benton was unarmed. 4 dangerus weapon
doubtless, as was proved by the fact, that when
taken from Mr.. Foote, it was actually locked
up, lest, us we suppose, infected with MIR.
Foote's fire it might go of, without any very
sensible object in doing SO, but merely from
desire not to be Inactive. We do not approve
of many OF Mr. Foote'S vot.s OF his speech
es we express no opinion, but leave that to
to those, if there are any, who have read them
Nor would we, with our opinions of his po-
ltica conduct be likely to vote for him, for
an Office in the United States But at the
same time we are not so hostile to him, but that
we would gladly vote for him for any Office ont
OF the United States We have never seen
Mr.. Foote. Indeed, among the multitude Of
faces which we can recall in Dagerreotypc
Gallery, we do not remember his. 1t may be
among the portraits OF distinguished statesmen,
bat we never considered it likely that it could
he there, except by mistake Still we have an
idea OF the honorable gentleman. Instead of a
s;cnator, calm, disnilied, unmoved, except with
the responsibility which rested u?on him-
whose voice, when heard, would command
deep :ttcution-whose advice, when given,
would induce profound conviction whose
ambition was to advance her honor-whosc
pride WAS to preserve her ircedom--whose ele
vation, to u position Of highest honor, would
excite in him III emulation to be to his land
what Cato WIS to Rome we have imagined n
little spluttrring, chattering body; running a
bout the Senate Chamber; popping down i'll ev
cry pnoccupicd chair; talking about everything,
aud yet talking Of nothing; great as toady,
but too little to be great in any other way; less
honored than the least distinguished of he
Senators, but more expert than the nimblcst
page who walls upon them; with tongue
quick, but ishter even than quick; a brain ae
tive, but generating only trlps; 4 something,
which in the storm that giant intellects provoke,
iloats un!l;Qmed BY the gale becau>" he is
lighter than Il feather. Such has been the pic
t;lre, which our fancy has always sketche;l for
us, of the Honorable Mr.. Foote.
In the display Of words, which Mr.. Foote
HIS lCINIII'iicu H'o IiS"S"t SS"''' "'' S'''SN',
there is m amusing evidence Of the uncasiness
which the presance Of Gen. Quitman and Col.
Davis, in Mississippi, excites, He returns to
his blushing honors, they will be as scarlet
when he puts them of; with the same vompos,
ure that the boy feels, who whistles as he pas,
ses the church, yard, to keep off angry spirits.
The image of these two east iron men, who
have shown how poor hubble is Office, unless
supported by the qualities that give to it honor
and dignity, and how men truly great, despsc
the bauh!c that meaner spirits pant to obtain,
is ever before Mr.. Foote'S mino, us the thong
that keeps rude children in order. Well may
he feel unhappy, when deckcrl out in all the
faded trumpcry that is the mere outside of Of
fee; he contrasts himself with two men, whose
voluntary retirement has made him feel the I'M
measurable distance which separates the pa.
trot statesman, from the miserable office hun.
ter. The Governor Of Mississippi! Foote, the
ruler Of Davis, of Quitman, of Melville, of
the thousands Of gallant spirits who people
that ynnng State To what strange uses,
NAV we come at last !-!Somhc,n Standard.
q e