Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-03-14

not able to get inside the doors. The closest
attention was paid to the speaker by all. This
was especially the case with the Southern Sem
ators, who apparently caught every word as it
came from his lips. The speech was power
full one, patriotic and national admired by his
friends and dreaded by his enemies. Mr.. Sew
ard is smaller in stature than had supposed
him to be. He is not over five feet eight in
ches in hight. His hair, which is slightly
shaggy. has turned quite gray. He has a
harsh, broken voice. His posture on the floor
is awkward, and the few gestures he makes
whilst speaking, are generally inappropriate.
And yet, for two mortal hours, did that i'm
mense crowd listen patiently, the thermome-
ter standing at II degrees in the galleries.
This fact alone speaks volumes. Mr.. S. is a
plain, unassuming, unobtrusive, yet compan-
ionable man, full OF incident and anecdote,
which make his conversation very attractive.
On Thursday 1 listened to running debate
in the Senate on Mr.. Wigfall's amendment to
the Military Appropriation bill, asking ST.
100000 for the support of a regiment of mount
ed volunteers to defend the frontiers Of Texas,
in which Messrs. Wigfall, Jeff. Davis, Douglas,
Crittenden, Fessenden, Hale, Wilson and 9TH
ers participated. Mr.. WIgfall is the new SEN
ator from Texas. He makes rather fine ap-
pearance, and is good debater. jeff. Davis
is tall and spare, calm in appearance, but be-
comes easily excited and is ardent in discus
sion. Douglas has short, heavy set body,
with rather slender extremities, though they
are an improvement on what they were when
on an electioneering tour he had to retire In
the presence of the settlers family, and
bright-eyed. mischievous girl told him he had
ssa mighty slim chance of legs, thar His
head is large and round, covered with dark,
wavy hair. His face, which narrows down at
the chin, bears the traces of much anxiety and
care. He is fidgety, lodges around constant
ly, popping up and down like cork on a fish,
line, speaks loud, is always on the alert, ready
to talk and vote if there is the remotest pos
sibiity of making ever so little Presidential
capital. His efforts to make fair weather with
Southern gentlemen, are really humiliating.
Crittenden is above the medium size, well
formed, but little stopped under 'sthe weight
of years" his head Is white, and his appear
ance generally venerable. Hale is a robust,
NOR, and a general favorite, whom everybody
is anxious to hear speaking. Fessenden, of
Maine, is of medium size, very ordinary in ap-
pearance, but is one of the readiest and most
effective debaters in the Senate, his remarks
being always pointed and forcible. The Vice
President, Mr.. Breckenridge, is one of the fl
nest looking men to be seen in that body.
ba &c pnis
ton, the Speaker, is large and makes a good
appearance in the chair, but is not stern and
decided enough, in my opinion, for the posi-
tion he occupies. There are some marked
men among the members. 1t requires but
casual glance to tell that yon large, corpulent,
Jovial and brawny faced individual is Tom Cor
win of Ohio. That tall, slim man, with keen
eye, smooth hair, and firm but easy gait, is
John Sherman, who has the reputation Of be-
ing the best parliamentarian in the House.
That self-impostant fellow, with short, chubby
body, who is strutting through the aisles,
finging his arms about SO much, is Tom Flor
ence. Henry Winter Davis, of Md, is small
and slender-prompt, eloquent and fearless.
Lamar, of Miss, is above medium size, has
heavy, dark hair, and though of strong fire.
eating propensity, is a man of acknowledged
ability. Thad. Stevens-who has not heard of
him. with his plain, honest countenance? But
lack of space admonshes me that must bring
this gossip to a close. l was struck with the
friendly disposition exhibited towards each
other by members from different sections of
the Union. 1t made me think that much of
the s'fuss'' made before the organization was
sheer pretence and humbug.
During my stay in the city stopped at the
Washington House, where 1 was well treated.
l found there, amongst others, Hon. Chaplin
Hall, our Member of Congress, who showed
me much hindness and attention. 1 also met
there Hugh Young, of the Tioga .Agitator, a
clever fellow, who had the good luck to get an
appointment to one of the minor posts in the
House.
Pennsylyanians visiting the capital are kind
ly treated by the amiable and courteous lady
of Senator Bigler. Such was my experience,
and has been that of others who have visited
his hospitable residence.
must not omit to mention that on Thurs
day evening Gen. Cameron invited to his
rooms large number of his friends, who then
and there put in ssa good time generally
Yours, Row.
A man named Oats, was held up recently
for beating his wife and children. On being
sentenced to Imprisonment, the brute remark