The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-03-14
Seward and Douglas-The1r Late
Speeches-Manper of Delivery.

The Washington Correspondent of the
Cleveland Plain Dealer writes as follows:
WASHINGTON, D. c.. March 1850.
DEAR DEALER: I have at length seen
the leaders of the parties measure swords.
Yesterday, Seward, the Goliath of the
Black Republicans came vauntingly forth
in shield and buckler, with his ingenious
ly-wrought harness on. Douglas, the
David of the Democracy, met him like
nations champion. It was in vain that
this foul (niggeI) idolator essayed to send
this curled minion off to hold fond dalli-
ance with the Syrian maids, and in wan
ton measures dance, to let their dainty
fingers braid the bright luxuriance OF his
raven hair. They had met before On
the memorable night of the passage of the
Nebraska Bill, the Yorker found himself
in an irrepressible conflict with the Little
Giant, and was made per force to cry out:
II never had so much respect for the
Honorable Senator from Illinois before
in my life." Therefore the wiley wiery
warrior came forth yesterday, all the moe
guarded and watchful, but he could say
with his prototypes: "Now, by the gods,
she STRIPPING plays the orator"
This effort of Seward was known to be
the eliminating point with him, therefore
months of labor were bestowed on this
speech which was big with his political
fate. It carried Seward and his for.
tunes.
Stewards delivery is very detective
His voice Is weak, he is stoop- -shouldered,
very spare and bloodless, even his three
hours speech brought no flush of face or
hands that would indicate aEy blood in his
veins. His complexion, is salow, his
hair appears faded rather than silver, his
nose is sharp Roman, his eyebrows heavy
from length of hair, indicative of age
He often put both hands in his pants
pockets and one foot on the foot-piece of
his desk, and reads On duly the labored
composition. He opened few points, bu,
very studiously covered old damaged ones
He mentioned Harper's Ferry with mark
ed reluctance. and covered it all over will
the sins of Missouri, though he seemed
never to have heard of New
England Aid Society or Sharpe rifle
The s'irrepresible conflict" escaped hin
, altogether. He quoted Giddings' speech
as found in the Declaration of Indepen
dence. "All men are created equal ant
, endowed by their Creator with certain in
. alienable rights" This, he said. include
the negro.
:, In another part of his speech he eharg
ed it as base Democratic SANDER to sa
;, the Republicans believed in negro equali
ty; but the two conflicting declaration
were not far enough apart for Douglas t
= forget the first before he reached the las
and he placed them along side. 'Wha
! right have you to make unequal what Go
'. created equal, and to take from the,
- their God given ina!ienable rights?' b
=, would ask But will let the speeche
:, speak for themselves. When Sewar
= commenced he drew from his pocket
, nice, clean, white handkerchief, which b
careful wife had, no doubt, given him ths
=. morning for the occasion. He used
,s :, once and laid it down, and then put tt
:. - old red one. through the whole cours
y y 1 have no doubt but Mr.. Stewards speec
VI will read much better than it SOUNDED
:, 1t ought to.
Douglas rose. and, as the distance WI
= not great, it was soon done. The glo
of health aud animation lit up his ceu
- tenance, and all unprepared as far as al
previous preparation was concerned, ar
with one of those impulsiye, ready rejoi
- ~ ders for which he is so celebrated, too
the vaunting Goliath between the eye
:. His manner is active but easy. His sty
'' has touch of Western untrammeled ell
quence. He decapitated this nigh
Philistine with his own sword. T
, beautiful structure which cost Seward
much time, labor ard travel, such lol
- journeys across the ocean, over the ALI
~ ~ around the Pyramids, and through t
=. courts of the East, was in one brief no
.s Is in scattered fragments at the feet of
- Little Giant. @
Douglas was followed by the polishe
y accomplished, eloquent Davis. 1t "
- like the enchanting strains of the 81
- guitar in the stilly night succeeding
the foil Douglas martial band, that b
or itself been preceded by the Seward n
la potonous bagpipe.
H A sick man, slightly convalesci
W. lately in conversation with pious frieI
congratulating him upon his recovery, a