The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-03-31
CONC REssIosAL ELoQUEEcE.

"Ao7e 0oPccidily III ZIG oeHaSo. A"o P'"euSo VI
introducing private and personal quarrels which
used to be settled out Of doors, as part of the
regular routine of public business, has given a
piquant gusto to the debates, and greatly relieved
the grave monotony of legislation. This appears
plainly in the increasing audiences especially
ladies, who everybody knows are great amateurs
of scolding A debate in Congress, particularly
in the Senate, fproper notice is given that there
is to be a sparring- match between two honora-
BILE members, attracts almost as great an audi
ence as a public execution, or Ito between a
Crib and Molyneaux.
Nothing in fact furnishes greater stimulus
to eloquence than a proper degree of personal
feeling, except it be the sight Of the galleries
filled with sparkling eyes, blooming cheeks, and
waving plumes. A man-especially if he be an
old bachelor, or a wdower, contemplating sec
ond voyage, must be born both dumb and
blind if he can't make Il speech about some
thing or other under the high steam of such in
spration. remember a long time ago, when J
| used to attend the debates in Congress- there
was great belle, and great heiress to boot
spending Il winter in Washington, whose pres
ence in the gallary caused the most enormous
sions a bachelor senator was determined to
"bothcr her alabaster heart Looney Mack
wholter has it-but not being prepared on the
subject before the Senate, which was one Of
| <T -, , tb, i,up
ment Of seamen, which he had ready cut and
dried. 1t was capital speech, only it had moth
ing to do with the subject Whether the heir
ess was caught in the meshes of his eloquence
| | cannot remember.
Another candidate for the applause of the
galleries, and the good graccs of the ladies', be-
ing unfortunately no orator, took infinite pains
| to attract their attention by busying himself
with writing letters, ever and anon casting his
eye askance towards the gallery, to see if the
ladies' were noticing him. He was, however, an
honest harmless member, and his foible never
| led him to talk nonsense, about what he knew
nothing. But still this growing custom of sett-
| ling affairs Of honor in the two Houses of Con-
| gress, according to the canons of Billingsgate,
had think better be confined to the sect of old
Viragos, who vindicate their good name by as
sailing that of others, and whiewasb their own
walls by throwing mud on those of their neigh
bors. 1t does not become the representatives,
of great people for although it may be in ac-
cordance with the theory of free government,
that all classes should have voice in the State,
am inclined TO believe that Of blackguards
should be excepted. The cornerstone the very
basis of our political edifce is the system of
representation, and should the people once lose
their respect for or confidence in their repre-
sentatives that moment the entire fabric will be
shaken to its foundation. When the represen-
tatives of the people become objects of ridcule
and contempt TO their constituents the govern
ment may for awhile continue to exercise poroer,
but it will inevitably be deprived of that author
ill., which, while it confers dignity on rulers,
more. than any other cause, secures the re-
spect and obedience of the people. Nations
may be governed by men they hate and fear
but never by those they despise. Let our le-
gslative bodies lock to this, or they may ere long
become the Jest and scorn of their constituents;
and when that period arrives, the edifce of gov
eminent, though it may seem to exist, will be
without foundation. When the people lose
their confidence in free institutions, there are but
two alternatives, anarchy and despotism.
WoODwoRTH's PATENT
Will any charitable person, who knows any
thing, tell me what this patent is for9 Is it
patent for long speeches and interminab!e de-
bates or for wasting the time of Congress,
and increasing the per diem Has it anything
to do with the Presidential election Is it a
patent "for improving governors" increasing
the speed of locomotives, or stimulating tenn
perance societies to intemperance? 1t must be
something of the last consequence to the people
at large, or it would assuredly not have occu-
pied so much of the time of Congress, for two
or three years past, to the exclusion of subjects
highly interesting to the general welfare. In
truth, there is something exceedingly occult and
mysterious in the legislation of Congress
There are ccTlllu UlclHDeTS VI DOtH llOuStS
who, if they have no personal interest in certain
private bills, all of pecunary nature, are the
most disinterested persons in the world, for they
seem to be forever on the watch to slip in their
emotions" and advocate them with zeal and
pertnacity only characteristic of paid agents,
and feed lawyers. Surely, it cannot be possible
that men, who are to decide on these claims as
| legislators, would cordescend to receive a fee
for advocating them, and t.lat fee, perhaps, con-
| di;onal on their success! A case Of this kind
certainly did happen some years ago, when
Senator from down East, was, if recollect
right, expelled that body for similar practises
But this is out of the question, now that the
world has become 80 wise that it is almost i'm
possible to keep it honest. Will the editors of
the Southern Press be so charitable as to inform
me of the nature and objects of this famous
patent, which bids fair TO rival Amy Dardin's
hone