Columbia gazette., 1854-04-01
A BEAR STORY.


Senator William M. Gwin is a nota
bic man to look at. Fifty winters may
have passed over his head, judging from
the iron grey of his rather, close cut
stubby looking hair. He stands about
six feet three inches in his stockings
has the frame Of a giant in strength,
and is in the prime of life. His figure
and features are angular and massive,
and when in rcposc they give him the
appearance somewhat of man chiscled
out of solid rock, by an artist of genius,
who, in the work, struck at grand i'm
pressions, without caring to finish up his
effort. The toutc ensembl, Of his ap-
pearance is thus exceedingly striking
and effective, as there is boldness, en-
phasis, self-rcliance and sagacity in his
every motion and look. To sum him
up, he is just the sort Of looking man
one is prone to picture Cromwell to
have been, except that there is as little
Of vcneration Or reverence in the cast of
his eyes or countenance, as in those of
any man who ever lived. His appear
ancc is fair type Of his character as q
legislator He is notoriously indefatig-
able and effective, accomplishing many
things in the Senate, and before divis-
ions ofthe Executive department Of the
Government, which hardly any other
person would dare essay. His motto is
evidently" Never say fail" All the
world know his reputation for desperate
(fgurative) fighting, where appropria-
tions for California are concerned, and
how frequently he manages to push such
measures through Congress, when it is
pretty well known, that the judgment
of the majority is decidedly against ac-
in his requesss'or recommen-
dations. The New York Tribune not
long since devoted chapter to him, ar
guing that he was death on the treasury
In truth, he has, in Washington, the
of being more successful in
achieving his plans involving large ap-
propriations, than any other gentleman
now in Congress.
He carries a walking stick, present
from admiring friends, bearing Latin
motto, which freely translated, reads
" light for my rights" The head of
this staff is a beautifully carved ivory
grizzly bear of California, cnfolding a
cub in her arms, and looking defiance,
as though ready and anxious for con-
test with any, from any quarter who
may threaten danger to her young,
Senator Badger, who is famons for
saying multam IN porro, has hardly yet
got over DR.. Gwin's share of the voting
in secret session, by which he B. was
choused out of the seat on the supreme
bench of the United States, for which
Mr.. Fillmore nominated him, and which
he would indeed have graccd for as a
jurist, the country hardly contains his
superior. On being shown Gwiu's walk
ing stick, and being asked his opinion
Of the beautiful work Of art crowning it,
he remarked that +" it was capital" and
that 'as an allegory, it was most striking
indeed. Why, it's Gwin to the life,
hugging the Treasury y!!!" This ap-
ropos reply got wind, and has made the
Dr.'s stick among the most notable
things in Washington, just now.
If there be sound philosophy in the
adagc-" Let those laugh who win, the
doctor is sensible in enjoying the North
Carolinian's jeu d. esprit at his expense,
with keenest relish. For he is famed
for winning, as we remarked above. He
has secured for California, above, be-
yond, around, and under opposition
which would have squashed up the plans
of almost any one else, the enactment Of
measure after measure, with nearly all
the leaders of his party against him.
We are not little curious to know
how he is about to come out Of the con-
test for reelection to his scat, which
his many opponents seek to bring on