The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1854-04-13
Description of Congressional NobiPities.


The Washington correspondent of the
New York Times, after looking over the
Congressional hall, jots down some ofhis
reflections in relation to the persons who
constitute that body. He says, ''it can
not require any very marked ability to get
elected to Congress. Thisis matter Of
fact, as the frequent choices of this Dis
trict have proven. Whenever the echances
for the success of good man are clouded
by some ass, a trade is Immediately pro-
posed, and of course, the one, making the
most personal sacrifices and promises is
the man. No good man will sacrifice his
rights and opinions for Congress or any
other office, while miserable mean, igno-
rant and contemplate wretches will agree
to sacrifice everything. But to the letter:
1t cannot require any very marked abil-
ity to get elected to Congress, one would
think, judging from the calibre of the men
before us. And yet here and there, in
the noisy crowd, you may pick out man
whose talents would do honor to any leg
islative body that the world has known
since the things called ''Parliments" and
Congresses" have existed.
Yonder is one of them-that spare,
wan-looking man, with head about the
size of child's of twelve years old, low
forehead, with dry brown hair combed
carefully down over it, the sallow and
beardless face, the small nose and com
pressed lips. This is Alexander H.
Stephens, of Georgia, very inferior look
ing man, you would say, and yet, as a
parliamentarian and debatcr, he has no
peer in the present House. The first tone
of his shrill, piercing voice, as he shrieks
out, "Mr. Speaker" rivets the attention
ofmembers; the newspaper is cast aside,
the pen drops from the hand, and every
word that falls from his lips is listened to
with breathless interest. Away there, far
to the left of the Speaker, that rough, har-
dy old fellow, with the ragged white locks
and bulldog countenance, is Joshua R.
Giddings, of Ohio, the oldest member Of
the House. Ever pregnant with Abolition
harangues, ready and fluent debater, he
misses no opportunity to obtrude his pc
culiar sentiments on the ear of the House;
and from his known honesty and sincerity,
he seldom fails to obtain an attentive and
respectful hearing. To his left sits anoth-
ar noted Abolitionist, Gerrit Smith, of
New York. Yes, that is he, in the blue
coat with metal buttons, and the ample
and spotless shirt collar turned down over
,he black cravat. His countenance is
pleasing and benevolent, but deficient in
frmness, and his style of speaking chaste
and persuasive; although his tone would,
perhaps, better suit a campmeeting or
revival than Legislative body.
Gerrit Smith is great man among the
motley crew of "Reformers' now gather
ID together at Washington--a very whale
among minnows. He is Gland -refor-
ner" and abolitionist- breaches teetota-
ism at the Temperance Hall-and, for
sught know to the contrary, he may be
believer in vegetable diet, photography,
and spirit rappings. On the opposite side
If the hall is a cluster of New York
'Hards.' Ineed hardly tell you who the
short, thick young man with red face
and coarse black hair is, for every New
Y Yorker knows Mike Walsh. Besides him
sits Maurice, of Brooklyn-the gentle
manly looking little fellow, with ample
noustache and stylish dress. And there,
Immediately in front of Mike, is the lion of
he House, with luxuriant moustache and
1eard, piercing eyes and flowing locks
Observe the gaudy pink silk neckerchief,
md then the pattern of the pants-the en-
~ of Beau Hlckman-an ingenious ming
ing ofsnakes and terrapins, done in black
lpon gray ground. There is not such
another pair of pants in the House; no, nor
n all Washington. Beau would give one
IF his cars to be possessed Of them. That
$ Caleb Lyon, of Lyonsdale-poet, ora
'or, and traveller, and pleasant, good
hearted fellow, with all his eccentricity.