The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1865-12-20
J. P. BENJAMIN.

One of the most remarkable men that figured in the
Confederate government was undoubtedly j. T. BenIa
MIN As secretary 2 STAG, secretary q War alu atoI
ney general he appeared in the late eyentul struggle
in the southern States. His versatile genius, II 1t did
renderhim cou4peentto ill every and any position
that occasion m require esSayed the experiment, and
With his usual bod1ess and energy he would plunge at
III DleatGg res. 4 federal for many years
10 the United States congress, he was the switttooed,
terrible Achilles Of the democratic party brought out
In the great senatorial contest to mercessy slaughter
any oyerdaring Prescriptions enemy, Or to chase the
opposing hosts back to the barcaded ground OF tor-
fed silence. 1t he whom the southern leaders set
upon Observation-Disclosures it is said-and it was his
great master effort upon Douglas squatter sovereignty
doctrine that politically killed that gifted and hitherto
popular leader Of the democracy Ills speech was a
masterpiece of reason end tact-it unanswerabe.
In the supreme court hi forensic eloquence enchained
bench bar, and spectators alike Not since the
days Of Hamilton and Phckney had that court witnessed
such lawyer.
It seemed tha he knew everything and that in every
department of science HE equally at home Those
who knew him have told that he was frequently to pc
scen writing some great legal argument and talking az
she time to three four persons on other matters
ct no mistake would be made N his manuscript every
word would fit in be beautiful appropriate. His cease
css activity tie Standing wonder OF those who
knew him we'll Nothing ever tagged him; nothing up
set his equanmity nor disturbed bis imperturbabity
a great lawyer and an accomplished courier he was
said to have influence with the expresdent OF the
J0ntederacy than any ese-certainly than any OF
lie cabinet. And yet Mr. Davis man who dreaded
)eng influenced, ard horror OF any one he SsPectGu
Of approaching him With thatntent. But Mr. benjamin
new Mr. Davis well, and the latter would listen 70 no
hing against hG old friend and confrere ~ the United
states senate. AS To the effect of that influence on the
fortunes Of the country and the fate Of the Confederate
States whether ii was for good for evil it is not for
IS here to saM II il sufficient to remark that it is u
subject upon which wide difference OF opinion exists
~ IL z41fttUF HEsG b1aH7l.'
Mr.. Benjamin u.s. in all human probability cyilly
lead to this country. His eloquenCe will never again
erc fear entrance the senate or the bar rouse
The people, and Richmond will not again hear the tas-
mating cooqual powers Of the most charming con-
O.
exile and beneath the broad palladium Of the British
constitution has returned to the practice Of the law
With his eloquence and mastery Of bis profession,
ne doubt not bat tatthe exsecretay truly called by
IT. Reverdy Johnson the first jurst at the bar Of the
ned States supreme court, viii soon take rank with
me foremost OF the great English lawyers ana that the
uneas will roll in his pockets they did, in past
generation, into those Of Sir William Toilet and Sir
James Scarlet. Richmond Times
TIE Cows AED MLKMAIDs OF HoLLAND-The most
eav picturesque attraction of the scene is the herds
# cattle. These are Of native breed peculiar to the
ountry and from the quantity andquaty of their milk
well as from the landable propensity of the beef to
tccumulate on those parts that worth a handsome
rice per pound are greatly valued bv the people
They generally Of coablack hue but spotted and
streaked with white III the most curious manner The
pride which the HollGnders take in their cattle is well
deserved and is very conspicuous in the they take
Of Them The cows are kept in stables often neat as
our kitchens, and far neater than some of them The
majority Of the poorer classes in country are
not accommodated with such good quarters. When
they are taken to pasture their feet covered with
leather shoes, lest the dampness of the soil should
disease Of that part; they are always carefully
curred brushed and washed while in summer they are
covered with cotton cloths that they may not suffer
from the attacks Of those little winged Zouayes that
despoi us often oour nights rest In winter they
are protected from the cold by blankets On their way
to the fields they attended by milk madens of the
Fnddest compilations, who take that their tempers
are not RULED, ana show the most aectOnate regard
for their welfare, The Hollanders have not suffered
the race Of mkrnads to die out as we have and one
Gah hardly avoid insHtutlng melancholy comparison
between the present times and the old in this respect in
our own country. How great the difference between
those Who H the days Of ancestors used to carry
about the richest Of milk in neat little tubs on their
heads and after their days labors over did moth
ing but dance with their sweethears in conccntrc cir
cles around i0Yer-crOwned Maypoies and that routv
fellow who sinks round to ones backdoor in the morn
ing before light, as if he ashamed of himself and
leaves wine quart Of water and chalk after first
fully shaking il in order to mix it.
The New ZE}LAzDER-A New Zcalander must be the
most remarkable creature in existence. He combines
every Characteristic 2f the wild beast with the faculties
OF clyIlscd man We call him q savage and as far as
nudity ferccuess and scarcely abandoned eannibaism
can make him he is but no being of the human
race is more intelligent. He can live the mountains
or in the bush ike wolf, but he meets his pursuers
with all the resources of military art. He manuac
lures rifles out of old ships muskets and makes percus
sion caps out Of soldiers buttons. He has stud
led at professional academy but he is greater mas
Ter Of the science Of fertilization than the average Brit
ISL engineer. If there thing that might have
been expected Of modern artillery it that would
render Maori pah untenable; but the Maori sappers
and miners contemplated us in moment, and added
q work or two to their redoubts which completely de-
teated our Armstrong guns Our soldiers actually re-
spected them for their extraordinary talents and emf
nent alor. With all this too they are singuarly given
TO rhetoric and debate. They would as soon talk as
fght--sOmemes rather, and they display incredible
proficiency n negotiations and conferences. We must
add to this sketch Of the New Zealander that though
his real conceptions Of religion would be probably
isicd by tho African Fetish he has contrived to make
conquest OF christian bishops and missionaries nso
much that those good people support him with devout
fidelity even against their own felowcountrymen and
friends. Times