The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-01-13

ORAT0RICAL DISPLAYS IN CONGRASS.-Evoc
since the present mass meeting, called the
House Of Representatives, has been in session,
there has been nothing but debate-long, wicdy,
aiscursive speeches, tho tedium Of which has
only been broken by personal dispute or an
unsuccessful ballot for aSpeaker. In the course
Of this extended discussion, the most vital and
important topics in the present state of the
Union have been taken up and treated, as rule,
rather after the fashion Of stump orators than Of
statesmen. We look through column after col
umn of the debates without finding anything like
. broad and comprehensive view of public mat
tiers, and lay down the record with the feeling
that if the country relies for it's salvation upon
such men as these, its dependence is upon
bruised reed. We presume that during the
present session Of the House, the members
have made altogethera a. many as q hundred set
speeches; and, with the exception of q very few,
such a. those Of Mr.. Curry of Alabama, Mr..
Miles and Mr.. Boyce of South Carolina, aad
Mr.. John Cochrane of New York, they are the
most vapid, inane, spiritless productions that
have ever been uttered in the Capitol. Any
State Legislature could do as well; some,
much better.
One feature in these debates is that the scep-
tire OF oratory seems to have departed alto
gether from Virginia. The Old Dominion has
no more Henrys, Randolphs or Wirts. 1t has
only its Pryor, which is something of descent.
Pryor having nearly killed several Journals
the Union and States, Of Washington-and
finished off "a horrid case of infanticide) the
Richmond South altogether, turns up in the
House ~ the representative of the Virginia
chivalry. He had made, a. we have seen, a
thorough breakdown in Journalism, having
been compelled to resign his connection with
several journals just in time to save their lives,
and he Immediately turned his attention to
craftsmanship, and as a preparatory step en-
tered Congress. Now, any man of mediocre
ability viii answer for Congress, and it is
much easier to be distinguished statesman
than an able journalist 30 great many good
natured people had hopes of Pryor; thought he
might turn out well, and make mark in the
House But the result OF his maiden efforts in
the field Of oratory has been as disastrous -
his exploits in that Of journalism. His speeches
are a. wordy, egotistical and sophomorical a.
were his dull editorials. Mr.. Pryor, however.
is not alone in the desert of buncombe and
rigmarole, and that may be crumb or two Of
comfort for him. Tho speeches of Hesars.
Curry, Boyce and Miles have set forth, in .
very spirited, manly and forcible way. the
views Of tho South, and they, therefore, COM
mand general attention and extort admirs-
ton even from political opponents.
If We turn to the opposition benches, We
shall and things In even . worse condition than
they are on the democratic side of the House.
The leading members Of the republican party
have endeavored 10 preserve utter and
complete silence upon the main questions /
Of the debate, and there have been no adequas
replies to the charges that have been made
against them by the other side. These charges
have been Of the gravest character, and ths !
fact that they have not been repelled is taken
BY the country a. tacit acknowledgment Of
their truth. They confess to the circulation Of
treRonable publications, of books calculated
10 stir up insurrechon in the South and dissf-
fectisn in the North; they confess, by their
silence, to the guilty knowledge of some of
their leaders in the John Brown raid; and they
acknowledge that their party teaches sedition.
riot, murder and disunion. These are some Of
the green fruits of the Thirty-sixth Congrsw
What may No expect Of the dry?