The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1857-03-26

4
heir decorum, order, aud wise dignity will
be disappointed. In theearlier days OF the
when the National representatives,
were fewer in number, and when political
chica merry had not reached its present de- /
gree Of perfection, there undoubtedly was
oui,e differeut state of things from that
which is is.day presented. But Tines have
changed. The good men Of other days have I
zone to their graves, and though there are |
now many noble examples Of PairIotism' /
ability and honor 10 our Legislative halls
still the number Of merely political gamblers
has most sensibly incteased. The people
are none the wiser nor the country any the
better for this. 1s F sa.a
In our wanderings about the capitol at
Washington, a short time since. we sPent
few hours in the gallery Of the House of
Representatives and Senate. These bodies
.contain men who are well known to the
country. Inthese very halls they have per-
haps gained for themselves the notoriety and
celebrity which they possess. Here for
many wears, has been the arena Of conflict
loetweenthe giaut minds Of the country.-
Here, Clay, Webster, Calhoun, RsndolPh,
Adams, and host of men whose uSmes
shall be a watchwOrd to their eountrymen
forever, have engaged in council. Our hrst
entrance wus to the gallery Of the Senate.
This body is composed Of sixty.two men,
bers. Mr.. Mason, of Virginia, was the
President pro tenn. 1t being near the close
of the session, the appropriation bills were
the order Of the day. Other matters were
however occasionally dragged in, discussed
I.briefy, and voted upon. There were Of
course but few long speeches, but nearly
.every Senator had something to say. This,
though it did not give the master minds
ehunce to show their strength, afforded the
observer an excellent opportunity to study
| 1.-THE manner andstyIe OF the different speak
ers, as we'll as the mode oftransacting busi
ness.
Thegraccs of'urutory find but little cult
vation in the u ntted States Senate. There
. is here and there member who seems t.
have studied these in some slight degree, bu
as general rule, they are disregarded-to'
e much so, It seems to US. For, though tn
: manneris alwayso of far less Importance TIM
: I'the matter of discourse, still the forme
;. ought not to be neglected. 1t has yer
l. much to do with the effect produced upo
n the minds Of an audiince.
" Time will not permit us to give nnythin
lie like extended OF studied sketches Of the di
'. ferentSenators, and we shall therefore motto
s! only few Of those who occupy prominel
I'd positions. r. NJ T. Hunter, Of Virginia,
re ,chairman of the Committee on Finance.
There are few better scholars or more exp
ed rienced statesmen in the country. He h
ur been in the Senate for several years; is
of Democrat of the Southern school of polite
se and possesses sound judgment and ke'
he discrimination. In person he is far fro
,ar pre-. possessing. His gestures are awkwa
ad and his enunciation somewhat indistinct..
rte His printed speeches however, give eviden
.e of extensive research, and taey are aiwa
ce full OF valuable information aad sound arg
in. ment.
ct. Mr.. Benj,min, Of Louisiana, is probab
n. one of the most accomplished orators OF &
IN. SenateNnd the country. He is apparent
a one OF the youngest members Of that bod
ost He was formerly Wing, but since the d
nj. mise Of that party. has acted with the Der
"a. ocrats-was in the Cincinnati Conventio
at and both then and afterwards, gave his 7,
Ter dent support to Mr. Buchanan. HIS pers
lat is pre- possessing, and his manners are w
ed calculated to win the confidence Of the pc
as pie, with whom he may have intercourse.
10. In front, and near the Clerks desk,
si. the seat of Senator Butter, OF South Ca
to lima. His form is tall, but bent. and
N, long thick head of hair is white as the snt
nm of winter. His face by the lovers OF beau
not would be called homely. He dresses ne
is ligenty, and there is a sort of pleasant ca
,xt lessness about him which makes you a
fhe tie at loss whether 10 admire or conder
his his appearance. He is the gentleman W
81. was abused by l1r. Sumner in q cert'
ra. speech, and for which speech said Sumr
md was cudgeled by Brooks-both speech a
lis. cudgelins being disgraceful to the Sen
or! where they occurred, and discreditable
otl their authors. There is no kinder-hear
Vim man in the Senate than Mr. Butler, and n:
.ord more generally respected. His long ex
ter. rence in public life, his extensive kno
edge Of our political affairs. ard his Sol
ned Judgment and patriotism have deserve
wer won for him the respect of the nation and
/ to confidence of his constituents. He is ch
his man Of the Judiciary Committee. +
ma Near by Mr.. Butler, and little to
lie right, is Geo. E. Pugh, Of Ohio. He is
.ean youngest member of the Senate. He
er is gentleman Of slight form, light brown
hcy' oiue eyes dhu mass has . ooit ' VI poylsn II
has which makes you almost wonder how it
ring pened that one SO young is to be found
lat ting among gray haired and venerable
ap. and joining with them in their deliberati
shall and yet, every Democrat and every cii
of Ohio who has heard him, read his spe
with es, or watched the constant and unit
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