New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1857-07-30
r I.I, SENATE 81 THE UNITED STATES.
NUMBER XVI


more like an inanimate statue, than a living and
breathing being Yet, for all that, great thoughts
are occupying his mind Arouse him. and the fire OF
genius will break out, and illune with glow of in
teligence the heretofore impossible features.
For several years previous to lS4l he served in the
Lower House Of Congress as one of the Representa-
tiyes from Tennessee. When Gen. Harrison became
President, he selected Mr.. Bell as his Secretary OF
War The sudden and untmely death of Gen. Har-
rison released him from his position, and subse-
quently he was elected to the Senate.
His career as Senator was marked by no striking
event until the KansasNebraska bill came up for dis
cussion in 1854. He did not hesitate to oppose it
at once-the only Southern Senator with the excep-
ton of Houston, who did. He thought the legislation
of that bill it would result in no
practical benefit to the South and that its evil effects
would soon be painfully apparent throughout the
country 1t cannot be denied that these predictions
have become history. Whether the passage of the
bill was the cause Of it not, or whether it was
seized upon only as pretext certain it is that the
results have been most disastrous. The dissolution of
the Union, after it shall have been accomplished will
date its strongest Indictment from the day the Kansas
Nebraska bill became law.
For his course on this BILL Mr.. Bell has been stg
matised as Black Republican. Democratic papers
have applied this epthet to him literally, but it ap-
pears to concern him no more than the idle wind,
which be regardeth not. Educated in the school of
Henry Clay and one of his most faithful disciples, he
pursues whatever path OF duty he believes to be right
regardless of all consequences. The captious crti
cisms of his enemies and the warm laudatons of his
friends appear alike not to affect him in the slight
est degree.
During the last Congress, his principal speeches
were in condemnation of the action of the Naval
Board One of the officers displaced was Lieut..
Maury, of the National Observatory in Washington
gentleman who had resided for some time in Ten.
nessee before coming to Washington, although
native of Virginia. Personally attached to him by
the ties Of friendship Mr. Bell undertook his defence
with his usual zeal and energy. Maury had been rem
dered lame for life by the upsetting of stage.coach
in which he was trayeng-and for this triing cause
he had been retired from the Navy. Mr.. Bell
conducted his defence with mastery ability, but
Maury has not yet been reinstated, and probably
never will be.
As an orator, Mr.. Bell is not as acceptable as his
unquestioned ability would lead one to suppose. His
manner is dry and dull. His flow Of language is not
easy and animated and his gesture not appropriate.
His speeches, to be appreciated, must be read, not
heard. Differing with most of our public in this
respect, heappears better on paper than in person.
His term of service expires in two years. and in
all probability his political career will then he at
end. Tennessee is curious State, and has too much
Red Republican Democracy about it for a of the
conservative character of Senator Bell OF immense
wealth, he will perhaps spend the remainder of his
days in that private station" which high authority
tells US is the post Of honor"
His neighbor on the right is Judge Geyer of Mis-
souri-a Wing, Of whom better things might have
been expected than to run off into the support of
Buchanan, under the timid plea that Fillmore had
no chance. Mr. Geyer is better known as lawyer
than politician. His very appearance denotes the
lawyer Enthusiastically. He looks as if he slept with
copy of Coke under his pillow every night, and
would not accept anything unless it could be esab-
lished by legal proof.
The Democracy have always had majority in Mis-
souri-but Judge Geyer was elected on account of a
split between the Benton and anti,Benton Democ-
racy OF the State. The Antics preferred voting for a
Wig to a Benton man, and thus Geyer was elected
His appearance in the Senate was, believe his first
| appearance in political life. a
His speeches partake the character of his legal eff
ments are sound and his points always well made and
well sustained but he is too ddactic for the Senate
For the cold and severe forum of the Supreme Court
he is best fitted. have heard in fact that his prac
tice in the Supreme Court was the best of any lawyer
| at the bar.
The Democracy of Missouri, however, were not
sufficiently grateful to him for his support of Buc
hanan, to return him to the Senate. Gov. Polk has
been elected in his place. and Mr.. Geyer sent back to
| the dust and cob-webs of his law books.
| The next seat was occupied by Senator now nc
more-Mr. Bell of New Hampshire. Mr.. Bell was
one of the most quiet and unassuming members OF
the body Retiring and modest in his disposition, it
was rarely he addressed the Senate except in expa
nation Of some petition or report. Though man OF
more than ordinary ability, he preferred leaving the
wrangles of the political arena to others who had
more taste for them. In the quiet and peaceful pur
suit of his ordinary Senatorial duties he passed the
| most of his time.
He was perhaps the first Wing who has been elected
| from New Hampshire since the modern formation Of
parties Lattery his affiliations were with the Black
Republicans-and with the exception of Foote, he
was the most dgnifed member of that party in the
Senate. But he has gone to his long home, whert
no more the raying cries of parties and politicians
shall wake him from his sumbers--and no one who
knew him, of whatever political faith will fail t.
| breathe the aspiration-as Of Butler and Adams-re
quiescat IN pace. ESSEX.
SHOCKING TRAGEDIES IN CNoINNArr.-The tee