Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-07-07
American Political, History.

TvRE lately delivered in Baltimore by
JOHN TrlER, Ex-P President of the United
States. =.
Over .hstHousv. blouse Of Represen-
Itatives 18th Co,igress) at the time to which
+ refer, presidedone who seemed formed
fol the station and the station made for
hin. To commanding talents he united an
urbanity, with decision Of character
which commanded the respect Of the House
and awed into subsection to rule the most
refractory. He had enlarged his reputation
by brilliant efforts on the floor Of both
Houses Of Congress, and his speakership
may properly be referred to as period
when to have held seat in the House o I
Representatives constituted an epoch in
anyman's life. That man was Henry Clay
Let me speak Of him in manner worthy
OF myself and just to him.. He had recelv-
ed the impress in curly life OF the fervid
and glowing eloquence Of Mr.. Henry,
and had protited greatly by it. He was
conspicuous leader Of the republican hosts
that had elevated first Mr.. Jefferson and
afterwards Mr. Madison TO the Presidency
and his voice sounded as clarion in the
ears Of their adversaries. Nature had be-
slowed upon him in pfofuson her gifts.
He added an intelec, OF thellighest srder
a commanding person, and his voice and
GESTURE and manner were those best calcu-
lated to sway the action al a popular Assem-.
blv. Had he lived in the time Of Pericles
his name would have found place of high
eminapce IN Atl,enien history. On the
| floor of that House ere to be found, con-
testing the leadership with MIR. Clay and
rivalliag him in public confidence, John C..
Calhoun and Williams I.oundes, both of
South Carolina, and amongst the most en-
inent men that the age produced. The
power Of condensation OF the fist in ex-
pressing his ideas, which was almost as
great as lens by which all the rays Of light
are brought to a focus, was equalled by the
vast range Of information possessed by the
other, which caused HIM TO be regarded as
the Mentor Of the House and no man list
ened to him without obtaining new ideas
and more enlarged understanding OF The
subject undel discussion. Mr. Calhoun
was early called to the head OF the War De-
parment, and the great ability he displayed
in that Office is well known to the country.
He brought order Gut Of chaos and presents
ing and preserving the outlines Of his sys-
tenn, so arranged them that recruits in case
of war have only to muster Into line and
the army is complete. As debater and
writer he had but few, il any. supeiiors.-
In both departments his conclusions were
drawn from course OF reasoning SO log.
ical aud PRECISE that it was almost impossi-
BILE to strike out sentence without destoy-
ing the SYMMETRY of the whole produce
ton. Al muci, later period Of his life
had OCCASION fully to appreciate the power
Of his mind in tie great aid he rendered in
a high department af the Government.
"WIliam Lowndes soon after fell We
tim to a relentless disease, but not until he
bad left in the law establishing g sinking
fund monument which will speak to fu-
turs ages ofcensumatc ability and Waterman
ship. He wanted the adyentit;ons aydan-
tages Of grace O.: person and OF manners, ye;
he was the most engaging OF men. lie
passed away from earth at the time that
the most brilliant prospects OF political ell
ovation were opening upon him. Daniel
Webster. then Representative OF dis
trict from New Hampshire, ha.! already
made deep impression upon the public
mind; but tina, broad and ex paasire intel
lect had at the moment but little room for
display, as it was engaged in sustaining
a cause which,, at the time, had SUM-,
into hopeless minority. At an after day
lis full volume was exhibited, and. drew
upon him the eyes OF the civilized world.
Ii may truly be said Of him that at the
| forum he had but few eo-riyals. He wore
his Senatorial cloak with . dignity neyer
surpassed and, upon bis transfer,o the State
Department, the coat Of diplomacy was so
admirably fitted and adjusted 10 his person
that it seemed destined from the first ter
his especial wearing. John Randolph was
also there, blazing like comet through
the heavens, and thro wing oif'his scinti!a-
lions of wit AID genius until his course in
debate was paved with stars, How often
has he been seen to enter the House, boot.
ed aud spurred and with hls riding whip
in his hand, just at til. moment that the
Speaker had stated the question for the de-
cision of the House, after three weeks
discussion, when his penetrating vioce
would arrest the vote By the inquiry
'IFhat is the question, Mr.. Speaker and
while the Speaker woulf be 'res.aiin8 the
question, would advance 10 his desk and
reopen the discussion b, one Of those bril-
liant speeches which would e|ectrify the
House and its exhausted energies"
rThe discussion which had sprung up in
the Senate on the Missouri qaestieh call
ed upon Mr. Pinkney for full display Of
all those wonderful talents he was known
to possess. After prolraeted debate IN
which most Of the Senators had joined
among whom was Rufus King, whose ex-
allied character dignfied the STATEN which
he filled, and whose advocacy oflhe Mis-
souri, restriction gave additional and weigh.
ty sanction 10 great wrong-Mr. Pink
hes annou ced his purpose TO reply. The
scene which the Senate chamber pre-
scented the day on which he addressed the
Senate is not be forgotten by one who had
the good fortune to look upon it. The ex.
citing theme, united 10 the fame OF the or
ator aud caused an immense crowd to re-
pair the Capitol at an early hour, and ey-
ery seSt il the Senate chamber was occu.
pied betorc The hour for The meeting Of the
Senate had arrived, and the body Of the
chamber was overi.cwed by those who