The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1858-02-25
ELrur.y Sfh, 1873.
SKETCH OF THREE SOUTHERN STATESMEN
BY A BLACK REPUBLICAN ARTIST.
W ASIilxGroN. January .

ASiiiNGroN, january II.
Yesterday, when Hale WAS speaking, the
right side of the chamber w:,s empty. (:s it
generally is Iurin" the delivery Of IN anti
slavery s'ccch.) with the exception of Il
group Of three, who sal near the centre Of
the vacant space. The remarkable group.
which wore the mir If not the cl>igns of po-
wcr, authority and public care WAS conpn-
srd Of Senators Davis, Hunter and TonmLS.
They were engaged in an earnest culloquy,
which, however, was foreign to the arru
ment Hale WAS celebrating, for Ii. ongh the
connection OF their words WAS broken before
it reached the gallery. their VOICES were dis
tinciy audible, and gave signs OF their alb
s'rac'ion. They Were thinking aloud. 1t
they had met together under the supervision
of some artist, gifted with the faculty Of H.
lustra,ng history and character by the atli-
tude and expression. who designed to paint
them i'll frcsco on the walls Of the new Sell
ate chamber, the combination could not
have been more appropriately arranged,
than chance arranged it on this Occasion.
Ioombs sits among the opposition on the
left. Hunter and Davis on The right, and the
fact that the two first came to Davis seat the
one gravitatiug to it from a remote, the 9TH
or fiom near point, may bc held 10 indi-
cate which Of the three IS the prcpondrra-
ting body i'll the systcm-if prepondcrancc
there be; and whose figure should occupy
the foreground Of the picture, if any precc-
dence is to be accorded. Davis sat erect
and composed; Hunter listening, rested his
head OH his hand; and Toomls incininn
toward WAS speaking vchcmcntly. Their
respective attitudes were no bad illustration
Of their individuality. Davis impressed the
spectator, wlie O. served the easy but author
italivc bcarinG with which he put aside or
asscnted to ToomLs' suggestions, with the
notion of some slight superiority, some hard
ly acknowledged leadership; and Hunters
effectiveness and impassabiIity were cllarac-
tcristic Of his nature, for his profundty of
intellect wears the gnise Of stolidity, and his
continuous industry, that Of inertia; while
Toombs quick uttcrancc and restless head,
bespoke his nervous temperament and activ-
i,y of mind. But though each is different,
from either Of the others, the three have
several attributes i'll common. They are
equally eminent as statesmen and debatcrs !;
they are devoted to the same cause; they
are equal in ranks and rivals in ambition :;
and they arc about the same age, and none
Of them, let young America take notice,
wear either beard or moustachc. come
again to the traits which distinguish them
from each other. In face and form, Davis
represents the Norman type with singular f.
deliy, my conception of that typebe correct,
lie is tall and sinewy, with fair balr, gray
eyes, which arc clear, rather than bright,
high forehead, straight nose, thin COM
pressed lips, and pointed chin. His cheeks
are hollow, and the vicinity of his mouth is
deeply furrowcd with interesting lines.-
Leanness Of face length and sharpness OF
feature, and,length Of limb and intensity of
expression, rendered acute by angular facial
outline, are the general characteristics of his
appearance. - -
should imagine the blood Of Pocahon-
tas enriched the veins Of Hnnter, for his
complexion, though faded, is tinted with the
warm coloring Of the native race. He Is 81
middle size, solidly built, and black haired.
His feature are neither prominentsnorsex-
pressive, though his nose is s'slightly, yery
slightly, aquiline.e His physique would sats
S1fact'no Inspection i, public from ri t6sf sss
and quietness 9f.demesnor on The, fSofaof
thsassns!s sedsa de.ie stsaaall, 81
81. s.. 81 ~ sss g 49,