Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1866-03-15
The Days of the Giants in the United
States Senate,
CLAY, CALHOUN AND WEBSTER.

CLAI, CALdOON AMI WEDoA on'
A correspondent of the Times and Wit
ness, of Chicago, who witnessed the United
States Senate in "the days of the Giants,
furnishes from Washington the following
graphic picture of "Auld lang Syne" in
that city.
Gibbon relates the celebrated Story of the
Seven Seepers. During cruel persecution
at Ephesus, seven noble youths concealed
themselves in a cave. They Immediately,
so goes the legend, fell into deep sleep,
which was mirsculously prolonged for one
hundred and eighty-seven years. On awak.
ing they entered the city, but found, every
where, Christians so deuegrated, Churches
so couformed to the world, all, in short, so
changed, that they burst into tears and ear.
nestly prayed to God that they might re-
turn to their slumbers again. Such are my
feelings as I sit here and look upon this
body, and listen to their debates, with the
light of other days around me. Only few
years ago, I occupied this very seat, and
heard, with pleasure, the great men of the
land deliberating for the general veal of the
whole nation. Now, how many seats are va.
cant; and the discussions are about the late
war, the treatment of rebellion, and the re,
construction, of a shattered Union; topics,
the very sound Of which might cause the
founders of this great Republic to turn in
their cofhns
Among many sad reflections, there is
one which especially depresses my heart, as
I look down on this conclave ofgrave, ven.
erable' and patriotic Senators. 1t is, that
there survives not single one of those
statesmen whose voices used to be heard
aud felt throughout the entire country
Once it was great privilege to pass morn
ing here, when "there we're giants in the
land" Yonder reposed, in silent grandeur,
the massy form of Mr.. Webster To his
right, taking snuff and conversing pleasant
ly with his neighbors, was the light, grace.
ful person of Mr. Clay; while far to the
left, dark, sombre, with keen, flashing eyes,
was that incarnation of dignity and severe
logic, Mr.. Calhoun, looking like a cast.irou
man. Whenever either of these men was
to speak, the chamber was crowded early in
the day, and everybody studied their speech
es. And with reason; for ingeDius and
true parliamentary eloquence, they we're
men of pre.emiuent greatness, differing in
tellectually aud morally, very much as they
did in their personal appearance.
So remarkable were the head and figure
of the Massachusetts, Senator that, when he
was in London, the porters and day labor.
ers in the street used to cease from their
work to gaze at him and here each day, as
he entered the Senate, all eyes converged
toward "the man." and the whisper was
heard on all sides in the galleries, "That
is he" Everything in his presence was
imperial. For myself, l never looked upon
that brow, majestic aspect, those "Atlau-
team shoulders, fit to bear the weight of
mighty monarchies;" that face, on which
"delberation sat, and public care" without
a something, know not what, of awe and
reverence, which I could not shake off, even
in familiar conversation with him. As a
writer, his style is the very best in our lam
guage not so elaborated as DR.. Charming 8
but easier, more flowing and transparent
Mrs. Fanny Kemble told me that her father,
q man of exquisite taste, used often to say
to her, "Come, let US read Webster; his
style does me good" In many passages,
especially in his argument on the trial of
the Knapps, and in his reply to General
Hayne, that was true of him which was
said of Luther: "His words are half bat
ties" But be was tame, ponderous speak.
er. 10 the peroratiou of his speech on
Foote'S resolutions, he glowed as with ethe'
real fire but generally, he was dull, heavy,
phlegmatc. He was a perfect master of
language Most public speakers find words
exceedingly unmauageable things. At his
command the best, 6ttest phrases came and
fell "into perfect pbalanx." His logic was
perfect, also demolishing everything like er-
ror, "hammering away" "smashiDg every
thing in its path" (to use the pitby words
of our two great Generals), but it was not
"logic on fire ;" and his orations will always
receive more admiration when read than
thew did when delivered. His address at
the completion of Bunker Hill monument
is itself monument of classical taste, of
profound thought, of elevated statesman
ship, which will outlast the solid granite