The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1857-03-11

Ine SOOu nGln0f OF the Seuate was re-
stored, and the great orator himself per-
ceived that his mighty effort had been fruit
less. The little magician was up to snuff.
The late John Forsyth was one of the
improptu debater, to bring on an action
or to cover retreat, he never had his
superior. He was acute witty, fall Of re-
sources and ever prompt-impetuous as
Murat in q charge, adroit as Soult when
and oat-numbered. He WAS
naughty in the presence of enemies, atfa
ble and winning amcng friends. His man
ners were courtiy and diplomatic. In
the times of Louis XIV, ne would have
rivsled the most celebrated courtiers, un-
der the dynasty of Napoleon he would
have wen the baton of France. He never
failed to command the confidence of his
party; he never feared any odds arrayed
against it, and at 0ne crisis was almost its
sole support iR the Senate againzt the
most brilliant and formidable opposition
ever organized against the administration
With the ladies he was irresistible Dur
ing his diplomatic residence in Spain the
demand for dueanas could scarcely be
supplied, and eseR royalty smiled more
indulgently than he wished. This gallant
and high-spiriied gentleman died sudden
y in the enjoyment of great popularity
Gen. Gass have, on former occA 8
sion elaboratsiy sketched His massive
intellect, his his highly cultivated taste;
his consistent political csreerthe land
marks he has left oa our foreign and do,
mestie policy-are all matters of history.
lie was prominent feature Of the Jack
son administration, aud by single but
mastery article in the North American
Review. brought to . satisfactory conclu-
sion the Indian Question, the great party
aud moral excitement Of that period -an
excitement which, up TO the appearance
of that article, had slnarshaied the press
aud pulpit t7ofsths North. and mnch of con-.
science Of the South, against the Admin
is,rstioa. Subsequentlyhe went to France
and the influence he exerted there upon
momehtous issues, has never been eSeked
ed in the history of diplomacy Wfffs
career tbeneecerth is q household werld to
the nation.
MIR. Berrien and Mr.. Livingston were
both very eminent at the bar. The one
was an able lawyer merely, the latter q
great jurist. The one had the sharpness,
the plansibility, and the acute, but the
contracted grasp of the technical attorney,
the other was comprehensive, eloquent,
and learned, Mr.. Berrien could split
hsirs like Mr.. Tazcwell; Livingston Crap
pied with gcneralities like Lord Brough-
am The mind of one resembles die
a conscientious mGn, who always meant
to do right, but by an unfortunate pro-
cess OF rstiocinatioD, usually got wrong.
Livingston was interruptions, but from
policy generally did what his discriminst-
ing Judgment decided would be right. He
was courtly and insincere, prone to in
trigue, with no fixed principles political
! or moral and the stain Of official defsl.
cation will ever shadow the lustre of his
! fame
Both Mr.. McLnne and Mr. Tsney had
belonged to the ancient Federal party bUt
since its extinction had acted with the
Democracy In one respect their for
tunes were not the same. The former, s.
every period Of his career has been sin
gularly exempt from political vitupera
tion, while the latter, before he bscan,i
Chief Justice, literally walked through
the fiery furnace ordeal that he sus
tanned with unshaken equanimity.
Mr. Woodbury. shared the opprobiun
that was cast upon Mr.. Taney. Ever!
form CT detraction was exhausted upol
him. He WIS man Of strong sense ant
clear perceptions, but an awkward ant
Involved style by no means expressed th,
impressions Of his mind. BE thus, while
in the Treasury, had the reputation Of be
ing obtuse; but when he resumed his place
in the Senate, and had the opportunity 0
explaining his reports, and yindicating th'
financial policy inaugurated by Gen. Jack
son. his reputation roset to its proper level
\ ,tUnhappily in the full vigor OF we'll pre-
served life, be died, with his hand upon tn,
Presidency, His mansion at Washington
was noted for its liberal and elegant hos
pitality- always crowded by the young
and gifted-nnd adorned by o household
OF Incompatible grace and beauty.
OF the other members of the Cabinet
Mr. Dickerson was sensible and amiabl,
man, but too infirm for his place. Mr.
Barry was a man of talent--an erato
cultured in the great controversy Of thu
old and new Court parties of Kentucky
His voice, his manner, and his declama
sttion were of the school Of Patrick Henry
but he was utterly unfit for the Post Oiic'
i Department. Mr.. Duane was fantastic
ssa feeble, though he fancied himself pro
/ found. Mr. lngham was stold ant
t.eacherous; Mr. Branch honest but i'm
practicable: and Major Eaton-!stel.
desd-could not be classed above medioc
rity.
Benjamin F. Butler, Attorney Genera
and Secretary of War-a political saint
!, studied finance, believe, under Jacol