Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-07-09
NUMBER %.

apparent distinction between Il and the
rough crowd (for there was no accomoda.
ton iorladies) )being that the Senators sat.
while tho listeners and loaiers. having
not even bsnches, were satisfied TO find
standing-room on the same floor, withthe
slight separation we have described. The
House had better chamber; butthe bare
walls where there were no paintings, the
uncushioned chairs, the dingy desks,
sIa,hed with pocket-knives. and the at
titudes of members, with their heels in
= * is or their bodies sprawled over two or
three chairs, ss;Saa gave Cad but little idea OF
legislative dignity or decorum.
There were not more than dozen men
in both Houses who were before known
to the country, or had enjoyed reputa-
ton hundred miles from home. There
wore Congressman from districts overrun
by the enemy, who had been elected bya
few dozen Of soldiers votes castin camps.
IL was absurd to find Senators and Rep
resentatives from Missouri. Arkansas,
Louisiana, etc., holding their seats by
virtue Of a handful of votes cast by
soldiers from their respective States in
the camps OF the Army Of Northern
Virginia Among these unworthy men,
bers Of Congress were some ridiculous
figures, and not few rustic curiosities
who suggested the backwoods and the
sedge-felds. The men, who relieved
something Of the rude and ludicrous
aspect OF the body had generally served
before in the old Congress at Washing
ton but it was often remarked that even
these appeared to have lost their former
force and dignity, and to have been
beltlled by the company in which they
were misplaced. There were Of remark
able members III the House, Henry ).
Foote of Mississi )pi, a valuable debater.
but afflicted extr ,vagance and by colicky
delivery; William Porcher Miles, Of
South Carolina. smooth. gentlemanly,
sc.upulously dressed, master OF dsport-
ment, and type, indeed. cF the truest
cultivation, deprccating anything like
violence in speech or manner; Barksdale
of Mississippi, the especial friend and
champion of Mr.. Davis, the leader of the
administration party in the House, small
darkfeatured man. who spoke SO vehe-
mently as sometimes to overrun the rules
OF grammar, but really forcible, dealing
rude blows witt facts and solid argu-
ments; James LYONS, OF Virginia, who
was satisfied wi l the shallow reputation
| of 1.-THE handso .e member" and who
possessed little brains, showed very
excellent large white teeth, and stood six
feet three in his stockings, the elevated
"Turvey drop" of the House. In the
Senate were Yancey Of Alabama, the
silver tongued orator Of the South, speak.
ing n subdued but luxuriant language,
quite unlike that the American bustings;
Wigfall, of Texas, fierce, impatient
incandecent, illustrating another school OF
eloauence; Orr, OF South Carolina, an
excellent man in the committee room but
rs heavy and laundering as school-bOy
in his speeches and Hill, Of Georgia, the
very picture of smooth and plausible
mediocrity, having much of address and
gentlemanly equivocations. inclining to
the administration of the President, but
at an angle nice and variable in its
degree. (From hc Life JEFFERSON Dar's.