Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-03-12
THE GAZETTE.
S. S. pRENrlss, OF MISSISSIPPI.
MONDAY MoRNING. MARCH II, 1860.

t!Ss commenced Ill mississippi, his DIliIidho
career as a legal advocate and popular ora
tor. First school teacher and law student
at Natchez, and next lawyer at Sicksburg'
his earliest forensic display was an authentic
announcement Of the success ana lame winch
awaited him. From that moment ms rise
was as rapid as it was cleaning. Inc oiaze
of his genius was hardly visible on the nor
ions verge, before it flashed up gorseously
to the zenith Competitors were at once
eclipsed: all who beheld were dazzled; the
times were entranced.
J. +. H. Claiborne. in his Life and Times
Of General Samuel Dale, thus sketches
giving in his own language the impressions
of General Dale-the most distinguishing
traits of Prentiss as Il lawyer, al orator,
and a public man. The occasion referred
10 in the beginning of the sketch, was
the session of the Mississippi Legislature IN
1886.
..rhe opposition was led by MIR. Prentiss,
whom | then saw for the first time. lie
was the Tecumseh of the Legislature, and
very much like that great orator IN the con-
troll of his voice, the play Of his counte-
nance, and a peculiar way he had OF hurl-
ing out his words-a sort of kissing thun-
der. In speaking he was always energetic,
often violent and at such times the frown
of Red guantlet was stamped on his brow,
and his expression not only sardonic, but
satanic. lie could be pathetic and persua-
siye, and then his voice became plalntive as
flute, his eye grew humid, his face sad,
and he seemed to cast himself like child
into ones arms? When he was in good
humor, his manner became playful, his eyes
sparkled, his cheek dimpled, and there was
no resisting him. The prevailing tone OF
his voice was spirit stirring, clarion note.
only harsh and gutteral when dealing IN
denunciation. lie had read much, partlcu-
larly the Bible, Shakespeare, Milton, Byron
and Scott He had many traits OF charac-
ter in common with Byron, and many
points of physical resemblance. There was
much that was sensual In his face, but IN
moments of excitement 1T was thoroughly
illuminated and purely intellectual. lie
had the fancy and imagination OF poet
an extraordinary memory, faculty Tor
sarcasm and wit never surpassed, wit and
humor in inexhaustible stores; and, rare
power for analysis and investigation; add
to this his indomitable courage and hrmness
of purpose and we have q combination OF
mental and moral attributes such as the world
rarely sees He selected the law tor has pro
fession, but in any other, demanding great
ability and resolution, he would have become
eminent. He had the genius that would
have made him great poet, great scholar,
great general, or a great mathematician
AT the bar he never had a superior. lie
had not much turn for public life; not much
ambition for office, and made no great figure
in mere party discussion; in fact his politi-
cal information was not extensive, and IN
the controversies of the hustngs, George
Poindex;er, Robert j. Walker, Henry 5.
Foote, John ID. Freeman, and others, were
his superiors lie seldom read news
papers, and had no exaggerated respect for
the wisdom of the sovereign people. In the
days Of Hamilton he would have been his
devoted friend. lie respected Madison, bat
abhorred Jefferson He was compelled,
against his will, to admire the heroic char
acter of jackson, but he strongly expressed
his contempt for John Tyler. He admired
and loved Mr.. Clay, his great soul, his big
brain, and his lofty patriotism. But Mr..
Webster, with his antique head, his Homeric
Imagination. and grand ideas Of nationality
was the real interpreter of his political opln-
ions. On all constitutional questions Mr.
Prentiss concurred with that great jurist.-
In their tastes, as we'll az in their humor
and conviyial propensities, there was some
resemblance between them. The exclusion
of these iliustrious men for Gen. Taylor lit
orally mere chieftain, without the com
manding faculties Of Jackson, or the schol-
arship and experience Of llarrison--a yete-
ran warrior, but wholly ignorant OF public
affairs and the structure OF our government
deeply Disguised Mr.. Prentiss."
If Prentiss had "many traits OF character
in common with Byron, and many points of
physical resemblance" the influence of his
genius and example OF that English poet
Prentiss was so unfortunate rs to have q
shrunken leg, which caused him to walk with
difficulty, aided by stick. Wherefore a
certain class Of his admirers considered it for
tunate if they could resemble him, however
remotely or uncouthly, in that PARTICULAR
Limping became almost epidemic among
them. Those who already limped, exaggera-
ted their lameness. Those who did not limp,
longed for an occasion to do 50. SO 1t was
With regard to his peculiarities as speaker
Hardly ayoung limb of the law was to be
found that did not blossom forth into fierce
exaggerations of all Prentiss' inimitable
peculiarities, and into feeble efforts to re-
produce his inimitable excellencies. His lit
tie mannerisms at the bar did not escape
their ndiscriminate mania for imitation
A sort Of Prentissophobia ragged with
dreadful virulence, and nearly ruined, mo-
rally, intellectually, and professionally, a
whole generation of young lawyers; for, as
always happens in such cases, it was his
vices that were most easily and most gene
rally copied.
Now, the fact is there was much about
Prentiss that was anything but exemplary
None but fools and sycophants could con-
found the ferocious bullyism in which he
occasionally INDUCED as an advocate, or as
public speaker, with the exuberant ex-
pressions of high chiyalric spirit. Chiyal
ric feelings and refined and elevated senti-
ments, Prentiss no doubt possessed in album
dance; but that is no reason that, when i'm
PEELED by morbid eagerness for immediate
effect to exhibit very different qualities from
those, his example should not only be shun
ned, but reprobated.
ze,s- Wa ara an thoriyed 10 announce WILLIAM