New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1857-10-19
THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES.
N U MBER XIV,

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E.5 NUMBER XIV. ~
! The youngest member of the Senate, Mr.. Clay of
Alabama, sits next to Mr. Hunter. Mr.. Clay ia o son
of former Senator from the same State, who, be-
lieve, is still living.
Previous to his election to the Senate he was can
didate for seat in the lower House of Congress from
the Huntsville District, in which he resides-but was
beaten BY Hon. W. r. Cobb The Legislature, q
vacancy happening to at that time, elected him
to the Senate Precisely the same thing had happened
before in the same district in relation to Senator Gle
MEMS Clemens was candidate for Congress against
Cobb, and was defeated by him. He was then elected
to the Senate So that, according to precedent, any
gentleman in the Huntsville District, ambitious Of
senatorial honors, has only to be defeated by Cobb.
In Alabama that seems to be the only road to poit
ical preferment. ,.f. ...
Mr.. Clay, though the youngest man in the Senate,
ranks well in point of talent. He is chiefly distin-
guished for the zeal with which he espouses the cause
Of the South. Were it tempered by more of dscre-
ton, his services would be much efective-but,
in truth, he is too ,hotblooded and impulsive. A
combination of dignity and moderation with frmness,
are the qualities most needed in Southern statesmen
at the present time-not fiery passion that outruns
discretion and INJURIES the cause it isintended to up
hold Mr. Clay's intentions are all patriotic and hon
orabe. But there be no doubt his impnlsiveness
furnishes a handle to our Northern enemies which
they most effectively against u.s. Thus there are
several of the Black Republican Senators on the floor
with whom Mr.. Clay does not hold personal inter-
course whatever And thus the dignity of the cause
Of the South-though Mr.. Clay does not SO intend it
is to some extend impaired. gt-s g% 4
His principal speech of the last Congress was in
oppostion the bill granting halfpay to the descend
ants of revolutionary offcers-a measure eminently
just in self-and which ought not to suffer dscredit
from the fact that it may lead to some fraud. Be-
cause some of the claimants may have disposed of
their interests at sacrifice, to agents who will make
heavy profit if the bill should pass, this does not
constitute valid reason why the other claimants
should be dspossessed of their rights Mr. Clay made
an able and effective speech against the billiard,
after its passage through the House, was mainly in
strumental in killing it in the Senate.
1t is understood that Gov. Winston is bis compet-
tor for the seat and will endeavor to eject him at the
next election. Without knowing much of the condi.
ton of political affairs in Alabama, should think,
nevertheless that the chances Of Clay the best
On his left is Ex-Governor Reid of North Carolina.
1t is common remark that North Carolina has the
weakest brace Of Senators of any State in the Union
When we compare the present couple, Reid and
Biggs, with their predecessors, Mangum and Badger,
the contrast becomes, in fact almost painful. Two
of the most distinguished and wjsest statesmen of the
Union have thus, by the tyranny Of party, been
PEELED to yield to good enough men in their way, but
amentably deficient in the qualities that go to make
up an American Senator.
Gov. Reid is an amiable man, a dgnifed Senator,
and true Southerner; and when this is said, his
| IL.
may accord with the political sentiment of the old
North State to keep such men as Mangum and Bad
ger and Graham and Morehead in retirement but it
can scarcely be reconciled with that State pride
which always seeks to put the best foot foremost.
Probably he will be succeeded in the Senate by that
political charlatan, Thomas l.. Clingman Facilis
descensus Are,ni.
The "hero of San Jacnto" is the next Senator
we encounter Seated at his desk, with a bear-skiu
vest on, with brass buttons illustrated with dogs
heads he looks quiet and innofensive as ever the
meekest member of peace society. One would
employed the interludes of his leisure in fighting
duels in Tennessee, waoping rebellious members of
Congress who happened to insult him. ruling as sort
of proconsu among the savage tribes of the West or
threshing Mexicans on the bloody battle-felds Of
Texas. Yet it is the same Houston, either writing
letters on fancy notepaper, whiting soft pine
stick, "a supply of which he always keeps in his
desk DIOR else laziy ejecting his saliva at inoen-
sive fly upon the floor.
Apparently, no Senator in the body takes less in
erest in the proceedings. Yet he appears always to
be conscious of what is going on and votes readily
on every proposition that is offered Participating
but little in the Debates he u.s. to the observer, the
most careless and listless looking man on the floor.
His " set" speeches. however, are thoroughly pre-
pared, and delivered always with peculiar emphasis.
On such occasions it is his habit to have large bowl
of coffee prepared and standing his desk before
him. from which he takes occasional draughts, in the
intervals of his speech In former years, it is re-
ported, he was rather too fond of de uie, and
he therefore indenes himself in his latter days by
forswearing of SACK" Falstaff would call it,
and a substitution of the berry of Java.
Since his recent defeat in Texas, it is rumored
that disguised with political life, he proposes foay
upon. Mexico, with view of renewing the "sports
of his YOUTH in extermnating greasers Texas, as
matter of gratitude, ought to keep him in the
Senate as long he wishes. Yet should he be dis
placed, perhaps the best use to which he could put
his talents would be the conquering of new slave
State from that nation to which he owes so ancient
a grudge. ESSEX.