The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-03-27

much pluck that fall doesn't hurt him
ALTERcATIoN BETWEEN DOUGLAS AND MASON
An alteration between him and Masol
arose. Douglas declared that he had over
heard conversation between Mason an,
Pngh on the subject OF the defeat of the res
ofution by indirection. Mason sneered a
people who repeated TO the Senate "scraps o
private conversation" which they overheard
and wound up in his inimitably insolen
manner with the adage De gustibus, ETC
Douglas fiercely retortcl that he permitted
no Senator to accuse him Of unparliamentar,
behavior. Mason took two steps hastily for
ward, and for. an instant the prospect looked
warike. But stopping midway, after
pause of some moments, the naughty Sena
tor from Virginia contlscended to utter
half apology. He was 'backed down."
MAsoS's MANNERS
Let me take this opportunity of saying
that. with all his faults, Senator Mason is
perhaps, the nearest approach. in the presen,
Senate. to the beau ideal of Senator. He
seldom makes long speeches. What he has
to say he says in good language. with good
manner. and in parliamentary way. When
he has done he does not 90 over the ground
again. hut sits down This art Of sitting
down is the highest accomplishment of par.
liamentary science and one which our North
ern men find it very difficult to acquire. Mr.
Mason never rises needlesSly, and never says
foolish things. He speaks always to the
Senate, never to the galleries In parliamen-
tarv tactics he is unrivalled His defects are
obvious. His manner and tone are unbcar.
ably inSolent. He talks like Pacha ad-
dressing eunuchs.
THE LEADER OF THE SENATE.
The leader of the Senate, under the Re-
publican regime, will be FesSenden, Of Maine,
the Chairman Of the Committee on Finance.
He seldom speaks. Heis cold hard faced
man, with gray ehesGl-de frise round his
JAYS; inhexib'e as the laws of the universe; /;
cool as mountain top, and brave as lion.
PRESTON KING.
Next to him in influence, perhaps, may
be ranked Preston King of New York. He
too, is rarely heard in the Senate. His
voice is a shr;ll falSetto, which, coming from
a man built Ikea rum puncheon, sounds
queer enough But he is very sound in
council, and perfectly brave. His temper is
merry, and the normal condition of his face
is broad grin. ...
Clark, Of New Hampshire, is bold con-
trast to Mr.. King, yet also leader. He is
a thin, tall man, of sallow complexion, with
lantern ;..-. ~~I Li-.i. --.-~-.~ -i--- II.--
voice is keen, his sentences crisp. When
he speaks it seems that a sharp knife is fall
ling at the end of each period. .t e..
SUMNER wHIPPER IN.
Sumner of Massachusetts,, Mr. Mason's
successor as Chairman Of the Committee on
Foreign Relations, acted during the debate
which I witnessed, as whipper in. He
watched warily, and was ever ready to avail
himself Of all parliamentary expeditions to
defeat the resolution. His voice is very
good, and his elocution admirable. Weight
he has little, as he is known to be an aboli-
ZIONIST; and though be is probably the
most learned man in the Senate, he is not an
efficient Senator or debater.
DooLITTLE AS A DICTATOR.
Probably the most efficient Republican
Senator in debate will be found to be Doolit
tie, of Wisconsin. His peculiar merits are.
first, that he speakes clearly, sensibly, and
secondly, that he knows how and when to
sit down. This most difficult of all arts
the art of sitting down-he seems to have
mastered 'fis probably natural gift. At
any rate he possesses it. and consequently he
is always heard with attention.
THE BULL DOG TANAcITY OF DOUGLAS.
Hour after holr slipped away, it was six
O'Clock in the morning; and no vote had
been taken on the resolution. In SIX bourS
more the Inauguration was to take place
Senators began to look jaded. Half of them
were asleep on the sofas, and some in their
seats. The galleries had thinned ont Re-
peated motions for recess were made.
But Douglas, with bun dog tenacity stuck
to his point. At the bare mention of the
word recess, his II object. Mr.. President"
rose clearly above the din. His patience
was beyond all praise. Not sign Of impa-
tience escaped hun even during the most
wearisome Of the long speeches which con-
sumed the precious hours Of the waning ses.
sion. But the instant the floor was vacant
he pressed his point. Te personal attacks,
and they were many, his sole reply was
Let US vote. And so at last. half an hour
or so before daylight, the ayes AMI nays
were called for AMI the resolution passed by
"a to l2-.jus, the necessary thirds.
Two Bald Heads.
mi