The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-06-20
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20, 1866.
he Neces sitv of Dignity in the Senate.

The Necessity of Dignity in the Senate.
TIE title OF Senator, derived as it is from
ancient Rome, and coming down to us as 1t does
surrounded with an idea of naughty dignity and
magnificent pride, conveys an impression that
whoever may be accorded that distinction
should be characterized by those qualities
which go to make up statesman. We have an
ideal Senator-one who is always urbane, con-
descending, yet never familiar; one who is
always characterized by digni6ed proprety, and
with whom nc one would dare to think OF taking
liberty. A gentleman In every sense of the
word. This ideal has been oilen realized aud is
generally approached by those gentlemen who
represent our Commonwealth in the Upper
House. While our Senators have none of that
lazy, sleepy dignity OF the Lords of Great
Britain, where all IS business, and the wheels of
official duty continually revolve, yet there is
quiet hGaeur in all its deliberations which is
wanting in the more turbulent assemblage ut
the other end Of the Capitol.
1t would seem as though similar cast of
countenance is secured by Ditting for a number
of years in that body. If any physiognomist
will examine the print of CLAY making his great
speech, he will notice the sameness in the coun.
tenances of the group which surround the
speaker. 1t is worthy of notice that all of the
distinguished clique who then adorned
the Upper House, if we except the
orator. have the same thoughtful, medi-
tative features, and are strikngly alike
From generation to generation we see the same
class, and the highest type offs senatorial face
which is recalled to us, Is that OF the late Hon.
GEORGE NJ. DALLAS, OF our city, We have
remarked this simI arity because OF the preva.
lence of dignity in the highest legislative Oody
of our land. 1t is therefore with peculiar force
that any jar to the harmony in the debate is re-
ceived. Such a violation OF all that becomes a
Senator was committed by Mr. WILLARD
SALISBURY, OF Delaware, yesterday. He
''rose to a personal explanation. HIS atten
tion had been called by friend to state
ment OF the New York Tribune OF Friday last,
in allusion to the ROUSSEAU and GRINNELL diff
Guilty to this effect:-'His (meaning MIR. RoUs-
sEAU's) backer was Senator SALISBURY, who
had been waiting for some time anticipating the
assault He (Mr. SALISBURY never assaulted
anybody, and had never advised anybody to as
sault another. His presence at the disturb
arce on Thursday last was purely accidental.
The statement in the Tribune was false, and its
author was wilful liar"
There is nothing which can excuse such low
vulgarity as for Senator from Commonwealth
TO call a newspaper correspondent "wllful
liar" 1t is want of good taste, and, as the
old Troverb says, "a want of decencY is a want
of sense" Instead of acting in a quiet manner,
and contradicting the false report, if 1T was
false, Or better STILL of passing by in silent con-
tempt a newspaper calumnY, the gentleman
must lower himself by scurrilous abuse, w1ich
will react on himself.
II seems as though the Senate has learned to
tolerate the SAuLsBURYs and MoDoUGALLs who
are forced upon it, and view them as privileged
characters. We are glad to see that it does not
attract attention by any notice beng taken.
The fault does not rest with themselves, but
with the State Legislatures who choose the Re-
presentatives. We should think that caucus
would have sufficient State pride to be desirous
OF being represented by men of ability, who can
reflect credit upon their State. The ln-
huence exerted by a Commonwealth in the Capt.
tol depends entirely on the character of those
chosen to be its representatives. If they are
able intelligent, honest, and patriotic, the power
of the State will correspondngly rise, AMI as far
as they fail in the possession of these qualities,
so far will it decrease in respect and influence.
We hope to see the day when generous rivalry
will exist IN each State, and each strive to
excel the other by sending to the National Legis-
lature only such men as will honor themselves,
and by so doing reflect back their honor on
the State whose interests they are delegated 10
watch over.