New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1857-06-11
THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES.
NUnBkn VIZ

Z NUMBER Vi.
Adjoining Mr.. Harlan's seat is that of a man who,
in times past, has occupied prominent position
among the statesmen Of the country but whose
career as politician to have been brought to
sudden and disastrous close. i allude to the Hon.
James c. Jones of Tennessee
Gov. Jones commenced life an ardent politician OF
the Clay school. By his great talents, commanding
eoquence and his fearlesnsss, he attained to
distinguished position among the people of Tennessee
Nominated as the Wing candidate for Governor, he
stumped the State with his opponent James X. Polk
afterwards President Of the United Statesand not
only triumphed in the argument but beat him at the
polls. AS a stump speaker, particularly before a
miscellaneous crowd perhaps there is no man in the
West, not even excepting Tom Marshall, who is his
superior. 1t is impossible to throw him Oft his guard
Quick and ready in retort with an neXhaustble store
of anecdote, and the faculty of adapting himself to
the humor Of his audience which he seems always to
catch by intuition even the ablest men of the De-
mocracy have feared to encounter him in the rough,
roll and tumble" of stump oratory. heard him one
evening sstsummer address an oldline Wing meeting
in Washington City, at Cops Saloon His political
status was at that time doubtful and no one knew
which side he would declare for. The saloon was
crowded with men Of all parties, and a disor-
derby assemblage never saw. He was piled with
questions first from Democrats, and then from the
Americans, which would have disconnected any other
man on earth. But he was in no respect put out
One he would answer with sarcasm, another with
ecdote, and third in burst OF electric eloquence
Finding he was not to be discomposed by their in
terruptons they permitted him quietly to finish his
speech.
His speech in the Senate in justification of his vote
for Buchanan was an able and elaborate effort but
it appeared all the time as if he were making an apo
ogy, and that he was conscious it would not be ac-
cepted. 1t sounded more like plea to his old COM
rades for mercy than bold expression of his honest
convictions. His eulogy of Mr. Clay was the best
part of it for you Gould see that in that he was SIN
cere.
On entering the Senate Chamber, the chances are
| ten to one he would not be found In his seat HIS
principal occupation, hour after hour striding up
and down the area behind the Presidents chair. He
never occupies his seat much as five minutes at
time. l have seen him commence writing letter,
write about half of it, and then suddenly jump up and
renew his ceaseless walk behind the Presidents chair
After while he would return finish bis letter. and
then go straight back to his old walk In these per-
anlbulatons, he is generally alone. Occasionally,
judge Butler, or his colleague, Mr. Bell, would Jake
turn with him for few minutes.
His term in the Senate expired on the 4th OF last
March, and he is now political waf, floating about
with no one to claim him. Calling himself Wing,
he refuses to unite with the Democracy, and refuses
to cooperate with the American party. Like the
ghosts of the unbured dead whose shadows are said
to fit unessily about the banks of the Styx, there
is no haven of repose for him anywhere. He could
perhaps easily obtain appointment of high char
acter from the present administration but he does not
seek one nor do think he would accept one if ten
dered to him. He is man of constituencies and
honor, and he would not voluntarily subject himself
to the suspicion that his conduct was dictated
by personal considerations.
THERE'S some talk that the Democracy of Tennessee
will re. elect him to the Senate but have no idea
that it will be DONE That party permits Of no div
ded allegiance. man, with them, must either be 8
Democrat intus ct in cute, or no Democrat at ALL II
the necessary reconstruction of parties which mus
inevitably take place within the next few years, HI
may rise to the surface again. He has many warn
personal friends and, being yet comparatively young
may come to occupy yet more distinguished posi-
ton before his countrymen. ESSEX.