Gazette and sentinel., 1860-01-21
From the Monroe Register
Old Liner and John Slidell.

names of many statesmen oil vast abllI-
tics and of much moral worth and integ- |
rity. Such names give evidence of the
increase of solid abilities and of states
men among us-that as orr country in
creases in extent and her resources are
developed, just in proportion does our
talent grow up to protect and to further
develop it. Prominent among those
| whose names are mentioned, stands the
name of Jno. Slidcll, L. 5. Senator from
Louisiana. The use of his name iii con
| n~cction with that position has induced
me to examine his claims for it, and III
so doing ! shall be brief. No one will
| deny to Mr.. Slidell abilities far above
| the general average; his political stand
| ing and his control over men indicate
this. JIG superadds to his reputation as
a statesman, that of a profound lawyer,
deeply verSed in the law, well guarded
at every point to repel the a~dvcrsary's
thrust. 4 practice of a quarter of a
century in Louisiana has familiarized
him with the great principles of the
Civil Law; and to make the most of it,
his law opinions are entitled toas much
respect as those of any lawyer in the
Union, whether in Common, Civil or Con
stitutional law-thnS is an admitted fact.
| believe he has retired from the prac-
tice hut the truth is not jeopardiscd by
presuming that he keeps up with the
current of decisions. If his love of the
law did not Justify such a course, GER
tainly his reputation as a statesman
would, so as to be prepared. We know
that the most successful Generals are
those who are ever ready for a contin-
gency. Occupying then, a seat in the
u. :. Senate and having sustained him
self with 50 much ability in such an ar
ray of intellect, his vilest enemy will
give him credit of being among the
foremost.
Success is generally a good test of
merit-the exceptions are few. | do
not mean the success which results from
the sudden and unexpected accomplish.
s ment of some great event, such as may
. spring from a brain inspired Ivy the ge,
. MUS of the moment, but of success
which results from patient, laborious in
vcstigation, from deep study; and with,
al from a mind like nature, progressive
e in its movements-froin a mind which
d conqucrs everything susceptible of be
. ing overcome and combating that mos
intensely which ~rcsists most fiercely.-
e The power that can do this is defincdb by
d Locke to be a genius-and nonc knew
y better than Mr.. Locke-being that gif
e which enables the mind tosce every sid,
of the subject and to understand it full,
such a mind is indeed a gem. 1t i
necessary that | should refer to so grea
=. an authority to illustrate my meaning
and to support it. Mr.. SlidclPs mind i
of that peculiar order and has every es
~sential requisite. He alaborates hi
. theme well-he dissects it skiliully, s.
n that its parts may be understood by CIV
cry shade of intellect. He has bee
m successful. In all his deeply lai,
ID schemes for power and place he has
worthy ambition which of course, weld
n, ed to a powerful mind, has centered hi
IIr powers To a single focus and matte
D. must yield. | speak of him in all til
honorable relations Of life. The ray
of a strong mind and the dictates Of
noble ambition concentrated III "a singh
n object will anove every obstacle. An
to this there must be judgment, calm
te solid, contcmplative, knowing how muc
power to apply and when to apply it.
Too much may destroy, too little fail
accomplish. This intuition becomes {
great value when applied to men. ]
teaches who arc TO be followers an
. where to place sentinels, for the game {
politics requires rules as stricS as eve
rs were enforced by a military tribunal
lie, In matters Of finance also Mr.. Slidell Ina
D. exhibited wonderful powers of intellec
10 and in this department he has also bee
he successful. Such rare and wonderft
by combinations of talents are seldom mC
a. with. and when his whole political lIf
ID is brought within the range Of the eye
u single glance it tells that he has gre;
= administrative capacity. Combine Il
"a qualities | have mentioned and you vi
perceive that there remain bat two ol
he ments to harmonic the mass, integrit
'y Of character and inhexibiity of WILL
Of the former | need not speak. Fl