The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1870-03-25
EX-GOVERNOR SEYMOUR OF
NEW YORK, ON THE MEN
OF OTHER DAYS.

of New York, delivered a lecture
before his meighbors at Utica, on
Thursday, the 10th instant, por-
tons of which r published. The
subject selected, "Recollections of
Public men," together with the rep
ntatiou of tie speaker, brought to-
gethor a large audience, and the
lecture was listened to with close
attention. A synopsis of the lee
turc is thus given
Gov. Seymour introduced his sub
ject by referring to the remarkable
body of men, who forty years ago
assembled in the halls of Congress,
and occupied prominent places be-
fore the American Republic. These
We're men who lived during years
marked by remarkable events, who
had been schooled in oratory and
had prUfted by the study Of emin-
ent masters Of elocution. The hab-
its Of the people at that time were
such that the u~tteranees Of public
men made a deep impression, and
their curse was closely watched
and keenIy criticised. OF his pers.
onal rc~cUllec:lons Of soCe of the
eminent men Of that age, SIR. Sey-
mour proposed to speak. John
Randolph he characterized as the
sensational Ma of his day /; a man
of strange appearance, a strong
mind and keen wit in face and
dress somewhat reminding one of
an old woman. Alexander Stevens
of Georgia, bears q resemblance to
Randolph. In disposition, Ran
dolph was sharp, shrewd, impa-
tient and disposed to be malig~
nant.
Mr. Seymour met John Quincy
Adams at Washington, and at his
~reridence met Henry Clay. Adams
he described as a small IaaD with q
frIgid, uninvIting, formal manner.
This reserve he attributed 10 the
eariv associations thrown around
Adams in his youth, when his ma
tive New England Was governed by
a system of mutual Inspection
Clay was, on the contrary. genial
and winning in his manner and adj
dress. In private life Mr. Adams
possessed ability to interest from
his vast fund of personal 0bserva-
ton, and in a great measure cast
aside his reserve. He was a man
Of great strength of will; thorough
ly in love with public life, and de-
termined to die with his harness
on.
General Jackson was a tail, erect.
commanding man, with much of
the military chieftaln IN his ap-
pearanee, strong-willsd, and per-
baps possessed of a quick temper,
but holding his temper vel! under
control. No man Of his time could
get mad so judielously. lie was a
good judge of human nature, and
always knew his man before losing
temper. UneducateG himself, and
surrounded by able and disciplined
minds, he always did his own
thinking, and to the last moment
Of his life exercised great control
over the public mind. To this DAP
! public men are advised to do as
Jackson did"
In person, John G. Calhoun wai
not unlike Jackson, except tina
Calhoun possessed wonderful eyes
He had a keen insight into the fu
ture, and was a prophet rather thar
a eOnspiratev- In speaking he de
pended entirely upon his reason
ing powers. The first word Of nj
speech was the first word of his ar
gument, and the last word Of hi
argument was the last word of hi
speech. He possessed no faculty o
Judging character, but fascinated
by his straightforward, frank way
with his fellow men.
Between Clay, Jackson and Cal
houn ass resemblance was wonder
full. 1t was because Clay and Jack
son were so much alike that they
hated each other as they did. Clay
possessed a rich voice, musical evel
to his enemies. he was chIvalrou
and patriotic ; by nature apoliti
clan as well as a statesman.
Webster was characterized IS th,
greatest, and yet the weakest o
them all. BY nature intended 70,
a writer and a student, and yet
great man, great wherever placed
The triumphs for which he is re.
membered are literary triumphs.
In conclusion, the speaker be-
lieved that the average AmerIcal
intellect was improving, but divert
ted from the channels where thes,
men sought renown. Then, too
men to be heard must be IN earn
est. These men were swayed By
strong passion ; they believed il
the wIckedness of their enemies
Now men are iercely attacked, Blu
the aceusers are not credited, ant
wa hardly dare aSSaiL q OOlitipa