The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-06-25


loud, discussive, out-of-doOr like; and,
while it affects neither party whit,
gets great space by reason of its guam
tity in the Congressional reports. Who
ever listens to Rogers, anticipating an
epigram, novel sentiment, or any
originality of illustration, will have
only pains and disappointment. With
very tolerable talent, one OF his proml-
nence might take precedence on his own
side of the House; but he has not per-
sonal dignity to sustain himself with
his friends; and they therefore resent
the mock courtesy of the majority
speakers, who insist upon calling Ro-
gers the leader of the Opposition-a
matter which leads to great badinage,
persihage and laughter.
The working man of the Democracy
is Ancona of Berks county, Pennsylya-
nia,-a small gentleman of gray hair
and beard and of ISraelitiSh features,
who cannot speak out of running de-
bate, but who is indomitable at staving
off votes and ordering the count of the
House. To this species of tactics must
the mighty resort, with the effect not to
prevent but to retard legislation.
Strouse and Myers, of the same State,
are noticeable for their Hebraic -physi-
ognomies.
Behind Ancona, several rows, sits
Mr.. Randall, of Philadelphia, man of
Judgment and few words, but without
more talent than mere prudence. He
is a young-bodied, oldish-tuced man,
round-heatiei and eccentric of address,
whose advocacy of party doctrines has
never led him, like his colleagues, to
vote against the proper Government
supplies, and who is n safe adviser, If
no more. AS Republican, he might
make useful member of committee;
as an active spirit on the floor, he
would have no consideration whatever
but for the paucity of his party friends.
lie Blond, of Ohio, near by, is mer-
nv. eyed man of French descent, who
has some felicity of repartee. He it
was who greatly confused Mr.. Ray
mond, by suppOsing, when the latter
made a speech in advocacy of some
measure, that this intimated his resolve
to vote directly against it. For the by
play of legislation, LIE Blond is a fair
actor; to take n leading role he Is en-
tireIy unequal. To so wretched repre-
sentation is the Democracy reduced,
indeed, that upon no issue of the ses-
sion have they provoked any vehem-
ent argument, always grumbling, tier
ating, but never either affecting nor
worrying. Pitiable is that debater in
the forum whom the march of events
has robbed of his precedents and lett
without cause!
Behind Randall sits the representa-
tive of the Booth, Harold and Atzerodt
district, Benjamin G.. Harris of Leon
whose seven counties consti-
tute what was the largest slaveholding
section of Maryland. His head is part
ly bald, he has vigorous manner, as
indeed he is bold and bitter enemy of
the conquering freedom that prevails;
and rs when the Rebellion was beaten,
to this section its desperate aSsassins
fled, so there Slavery will keep its last
drop of venom, until the remainder of
the State is in the vigorous enjoyment
of truth and industry.
HENRY ]. RAYMOND.
At the head of the little body of Con-
gressmen representing President john
son on the floor, is Mr.. Raymond, of
New York, gentleman of whose Con-
gressional career too much was expect
ed and too much promised. 1t was to
his misfortune that the announcement
was made by his friends, or himself,
that he would not contest the seat OF
Mr.. Schuyler Colfax. This led to in
yidious comparisons of his ability to
fill this place, or undue anticipations of
his power. Congress has been called
Esthe most rigorous forum in the world,
and it gave MIR. Raymond a respectful
hearing. He was listened to as the
representative of the editorial profess
sion, and as the intimate acquaintance
of the President. He was feared to be,
at least, equal to leading the Johnson
element of the House, and possibly the
diYider of the Union party. When he
had been heard, he ceased to be form
liable. Opinion remains unanimous
that he is a failure. The House de-
Inands either ability or conviction to
take eminence in it. Mr.. Raymond's
ability is in fHesSe, and the questions
agitating this Congress are of u charac-
ter to require more solid abilities. He
has been able to talk adroitly without
indicating ut all his convictions, If he
has them, and, had he been capable of
vigilant leadership, the recent chance
to bear down the third clause of the
Reconstruction measures would have
demonstrateds it. Fortuitous Republic
can and Democratic corporation de-
feated this, and Mr.. Raymond seems
since to have lost heart in the Presidents
fortunes. He is Il small man, of large
forehead, and II dissatisfied expires sion.
He has spoken often, each time with
Iessening attention; but in intercourse
he is courtly and in personality guard
ed As Il power, he existed before lie
took his seat; scarcely subsequently,.
Close before Mr.. A. j. Rogers, and
we'll down toward the Speaker, sits
Charles T.. Phelps, of Maryland, elected
IL Unionist, but an advocate of MY
Policy" He was one of the early oc-
cupiers sofRichmond after the surrender.
There are fewer supporters of Mr.. john
son in the House than of the Rebellion.
Neither individually nor by fusion
have they made mark.
FRANK THOMAS, OF MARYLAND.
On the extreme right of the Speaker,
separated by an empty desk only from
the SerUeant-at- Arms, rests n placid
face, crowned with snOw-white hair
the veteran of Congress in his past po-
litical ssociations-Francis Thomas, of
Maryland. lie was the acquaintance
and compeer OF Webster, Hayne, Clay,
nor of Maryland, and n member of this
House score OF years ago. In the
midst of his public labors, some sad
ness, or treachery, or falsehOod, fell
upon his domestic hearth, and he with
drew, silently and sad, from the notice
of the world. For many and busy
years the hand of man knew him not.
He made himself literal hermitage
on the mountains of Western Mary
land, and neither by visit nor cores
pondence did n new generation of peo-
pie discover him. Atlast the war burst
upon the border, and Maryland halted
between two opinions, the Union or
Slavery. Then, as the regicide, Goffe,
is said to have mysteriously come to
when the savages surrounded them,
Francis Thomas, who had departed in
the sable and stalwart meridian of life,
appeared like an apparition in Balti-
more. His locks were bleached. His
frame was bent. He spoke, so resur-
,rected and changed, at the first Union
meeting, with splendid and electrifying
eloquence. He declared again for the
Union of his youth, and taught by the
thOuRhtfulneSS of solitude and the chnS-
tening of his broken household idols a
philanthropy washed of all prejudice,
declared also for freedom in Maryland.
EJa sits IL, CongroSs today vOtiuO with