Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-01-01
Pen and Ink Sketches of United States
Senators.

A Washington correspondent of the Cincinnati
Commercial, wiling an account Of the recent de-
bate on Mr.. Summers resolution, requiring an
oath Of loyalty from Senator'S and officers of the
Senate before entering on their duties, gives the
following sketches of u few Senators who were
present or prominent Oh that occasion
Mr.. SAULsBURY.-Mr. Salisbury is man of
very fine personal appearance, about forty years
of age He is above the medium height, rather
stoutly built. His hair is jet black, his eyes
keen, piercing, aud we'll adapted TO flashing
anger in the face Of an opponent. His face is
large, and may be termed handsome. lie wears
neither whiskers nor mOustache. He dresses
neatly in fine brORd-cloth. He is good
speaker. uses choice language, and enunciates
distinctly. He Is not altogether free from the
imputation of vanity, should say, from the
number Of times he looks at the galleries, with
an air Of allow do you like it'll Would't my OPP
poueHt be better of if he hadn't said anything I"
MIR. BAIARD.-Mr. BRyard is about twenty
years older than his colleague, a very pretty
figure, rather inclined to corpulency. His hair
is quite gray, and what little there is of it ID
parted in the middle. Time has .furrowed his
face quiet deeply. He speaks with yery>little
animation, and ut times there is considerable
Of a whine in his utterance. He was recently
Reelected to the Senate and it now devolves
upon him to take the recently prescribed oath,
or be expelled from that body. He will take the
oath, though not with much relish.
Mr.. SUMMERTIME. Summers personal APP
pearance has been so often described that will
not make one of my poor attempts to convey to
the reader an idea of how this eminent states
man and scholar looks on the floor of the Senate.
II would not require very good judge of hu
man nature TO point him out as he sits at his
desk, whether reading, writing, or listening to
the remarks Of another Senator, as "the noblest
Roman of them ALL" There is something about
him that cannot fail to impress any man of
ordinary intelligence with the fact that he is no
tricky politician, no psuedO- statesman. no mere
socialist. But when he rises to an impromptu
speech, he descendants you, and you caunot help
asking yourself, or somebody near "ls that
Sumner? Certainly it can't be he who is making
such poor attempt on such trivial subject"
But it is even Charles Sumner, the profound
scholar the great thinker, and one of the poorest
Ott-hand speakers in the Senate. 1t is because
he is such great thinker and such profound
student, aud, perhaps, too, that one is apt to ex
poet SO much from MIN, that he impresses you
so unfayorably when question is suddenly
sprung upon him, for which he has had no time
for thought or research.
Mn. tEssEEDEN ia one of the keenest debaters
in the senate-always prepared, no matter what
subject is brought up; always ready 10 give
sound logical views, no matter what the topic
under discussion. The most difficult antagonist
to overcome, and the safest guide to follow.
MIR. McDoUGALL halls from California was
elected as Union man, but hS has taken to
Peace Democracy and bad whisky is very
eccentric and usually very drunk comes into
the Senate chamber booted and spurred for
horse race or a cavalry raid.
Mr. SHERMAN-The young Senator from Ohio,
the rising man Of the Senate, has a high appreci
alton of the value oftime, and never attempts to
argue point when he knows he cannot hope 10
change q vote by so doing. Makes few speeches
and good ones. Is energetic and Jealous IN thu
discharge of every duty assigned to him.
BEN WADE-Rough, unpublished, but honest
and capable. Talks strongly when be does talk,
which is seldom. Is said to be somewhat of an
anti-slayery man.
Mr.. POWELL. - Evidently intended for
farmer and not Senator. Is very fond of quib-
bling, and has a word to say against every thing
proposed by the Administration party. Ills re-
marks would be more acceptable if more gram
NAUTICAL.
JIM LANE.-Very quiet aud unobtrusve for n
jayhawker. Is not often heard from, yet was
heard from once too often when he attempted to
make a reformation in Wall street.
Mr. SPRAGUE will not make a very profound
impression as a statesman or an orator. He has
more wealth than genius, and can accomplish
more with the former than the latter.
Mr.. LANE, OF INDIANA.-Honest and faithinl.
Not very ambitious, and not very DESTROYS OF
public applause. A good worker, but not an
extraordinary speaker.
Mr. HEEDBIoKs-A peaceable member of the
Peace Party. Says little but always votes
wrong.