New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1857-07-09
NUMBER 1O8.
THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES,
NUMBER XII.

To the right Of Mr.. Toombs siss the Hon James A.
Pearee, Of Maryland. Mr.. Pearce IS a large, fat,
bulky man, about sixty years Of age, and of grave
and dignifed demeanor. His fine character as man,
together with average abilities, induced the Legiaa
snfe OF Maryland ,of which he was at the time mem
nef' 70 elect him TO the Senate and two years ago,
MS nrst term OF service having expired he was re-
| elected for the second. Y
In politics he Is Whig-thouch he voted for
Buchanan under protest. But he a essentially and |
naturally Wing, and could not be ANYTHING else
without violating his convictions Of right The mode
ration Of his political tone his high character n
man, and his personal popularity rather than any
extraordinary ability he possessed-indnced some of \
the Southern Wings in 1852 to think seriously Of him
as candidate for the Presidency. But his chance
for that office is gone, and indeed II is likely he
will be defeated for the Senate at the expiration Of
his present term. The American party has large
majority in Maryland, and will maintain It.
As Senator he is more distinguished for his
labors in committee and in the Senate than for any
mere oratorcal display AS every other Senator did,
with scarcely an exception, he made an elaborate
speech on Kansas affairs, the principal burden Of
which was "peace, peace, when there was no peace"
Essentially timd politician it is not bis nature to
propose anything new or bold. His Kansas speech
Was Iuefcly suSSestiOn SetLlemenb OF Oil.
fculties there, which utterly mpractieable. His
services on the various committees of which be was
a member are the chief points OF recommendation OF
him as Senator.
His neighbor on the right is the Hon. John B.
Thompson, Of Kentucky. Mr.. Thompson first served
several years in the lower House of Congress- About
1850 he was nominated as the Wing candidate for
LieutenantG of Kentucky on the same ticket
with Archibald Dixon for Governor. The Democrats
brought ont Lazarus Powell one of their strongest
men, as their gubernatorial candidate When the
election on, Dixon defeated the first time
the Wings, since the modern organization of parties
ever failed to carry Kentucky. But Thompson was
elected Lieutenant Governor by majority of two or
three thousand Thus the State, at the same time,
had Democrat for Governor, and Wing for Lieu
tenant. % r.
Dixon was much mortified by his defeat, especially
as his colleague on the ticket, Thompson, had been
elected Mr. Clay's death occurring soon after, the
Legislature, by way of easing his fall and mnisterng
to his pride, elected Dixon for the unexpired term.
But he made himself ridiculous in the Senate that
at the expiration of his term, Thompson was elected
to succeed him. Dixon then avenged himself by turn
ing Democrat and remains Democrat to this day
and long may he remain so. H-
!, Mr.. Thompson is a fine scholar, and man Of
brilliant talents. He has been educated in every
: thing that makes up the character Of the scholar
and the statesman. Yet he destroys the effect and
Injuries his reputation materially, by his personal in
dependence, and his indisposition to study or tu
labor. With his fine intellect had be the industry
. of Bell or Brown, he would rank scarcely second To
It any Senator on the floor But it is only rare occa
sions that he addresses himself seriously to any sub
+ ect of legislation. When he is once aroused no mar
excels him in the brilancy of his thoughts and tht
r sparkling flow Of his wit. tf9- o' &~ e
g. There were two bills before the Senate at the las
TO session, which he opposed with all the weapons 0
sarcasm, ridicule and witthe bill providing for tn
- organization Of State Government in Minnesota
il and the bill granting aid to the Atlantic snbmarin
IS Telegraph. Especially did he launch thunderbolts
the Minnesota bill, and yet with such good hume
that no one could take oense He said we had State
,g enough already. He didn't want another one ava
d, off in the Northwest, inhabited by Dutchmen an
Indians. Let u.s. he said establish the Territories
- dependencies and rule them as Cesar did the prt
H. vinces of Rome, with pro-consu! This novel ide
ms created much laughter among the grave Senator
ca sitting around him. 'a
~ He also protested against the immense foreign in
til migration pouring into the Territories. Let
he said keep this Territory sacred to the occupanc
Senator here minded him that, being bachelor b
to not competent to speak in behalf of children
II To which Thompson replied, that having none o
r. his own was the very reason which qualified him t
r. speak in behalf of of everybody elses. 7"
or His speeches abound in anecdote classical allusion
's and quotations and readings from the poets Pei
fectly familiar with all the classic authors Of Gree
and Roman literature, he draws largely upon them fo
lis illustration. On one occasion, wishing to quote
ry long extract from the Ened, he turned round an
IN asked if he should quote the original Or give tn
translation. Several Senators replied, the original
no when he repeated it without mistake.
His humor, too. though sometimes broad, is e1
r qusite. have seen grave Senators, such as Geye
. Of Missouri, Hunter and Weller, absolutely shakin
with laughter at some appropriate anecdote, som
m brilliant bon mot. On one occasion, when Thompso
by was more humorous than usual, l observed Judg
Geyer retire behind the screen of the lobby to eno
ar in private the uncomfortable mrth which Thompson
Cd witticisms had excited
ais He claims to be the only Wing left in the Senat
Jones, Pearce. Geyer. Benjamin and others, he say
q. have gone over to the Democracy, all the Norther
VI un Wings have joined the Black Republicans, and Cri
he tenden and Bell the American party. Abiding I
his isolated position he declared in speech one da
" that he like Marius among the ruins Of Cart,
IN IN age, d spared monument of Diuine n,erryr'
he His term expires on the 4th Of March, 1861, ar
the next Legislature of Kentucky will elect his su
Ter If it be Wing Legislature he will undout
edly be returned.
- The next seat, and the outside one of the secol
,st row of Senators was taken possession of just beo
the end OF the last session. by the Hon. Wm. NJ Gwi
'e- Of California. Dr. Gwin has been in the Senate
MP. fore. Emgratns to California from Mississippi up
wo the first discovery of gold in that country, he
my back with Fremont, one of the first Senators. Fl
'er term of Office having expired, he defeated of
reelection by political intrigue. The consequen
red was California had only one Senator for the last ty
years until just before the adjournment when CIV
60 resumed his seat. He had no opportunity to give
s, s taste of his quality" during the limited time
w held his seat before the adjournment. ESSEX.
0r, NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HoG.-The Boston Po
WV is publishing series Of antique chapters on Natui
an History, of which this is a specimen