The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1872-03-21
CARL SEIZURE.

delivered on the 18th, and Goth, of February,
Oh the subject of the sale of arms BY the |
United States to the French Government,
during the tendency of the Franco Prussian
war. We have ..cad these speeches. They
are modcis Of conciseness, point in argument,
ndgrace aud fitness Of dic,cn. Mr.. Schurz's
scholarly attachments and refined culture,
possess him with thorough knowledge OF
the meaning Of words, and his we'll trained
mind enables him to group them in such har-
monious connection as to convey his ideas in
the most pcrspicuous style. His is the
broadcast, brightest and most polished intel
lect in the U. S. Senate, and we do not think
we are guilty of an excess Of admiration when
we advance the opinion, that not in the
sparkling array ofintellects which have rolled
down their brilliant pathways to the tomb,
and which have adorned the literature aud
diplomacy Of this country, has there ever
been one reaching higher into the realm of
patriotic fervor and mastery craftsmanship
than his. His mind, like that of most edu-
Gated Germans, is of metaphysical cast, yet
it has been loosened from the domain of pure
ly speculative theories, by the liberal and
comprehensive usages Of free political insti
! tutions which have directed his powers Of
4, thought and analysis to thorough digestion
Of the spirit and purpose OF our fundamental
law. He is more Intimately acquainted with
| the Federal Constitution and its true inter-
probation than many OF cur acknowledged
statesmen. and conlpres%ends in the broadcast
and most catholic sense, the aims contemplated
by the trainers Of our organic laws.
Several weeks since, through the polite
ness. of Senator Lewis, of Virginia, we had
the pleasure Of seat on the floor of the Sen
ate, aad Of witnessing one of those intellect
ual Journeys, between Mr.. Schurz aad SEN
ators Morton and Conklng, on the subject
which forms the basis of the speeches to
which we have above alluded Mr.. Schurz
is about six feet in height. slender and grace
lul IN form, neatly dressed, keen, piercing
bue eyes, dark hair, and apparently 40 or
Is years Of age Morton had just delivered
one Of his most ponderous broadsides, direct
ed against the positions advanced by Mr..
Schurz the day previous Being paralyzed
in his limbs, Morton is compelled to sit in his
chair whistspeaking Strong, intellectually.
| yet venomous as 4 rattlesnake at heart his
language was gross and harsh, his gestures
awkward and inexpensive save of passion.
and his manner generally more repusive than
captivating. Schurz, however, listened to the
remarks Of the Indiana Senator, with phil
osophic composure. Conkling had offered an
amendment to the resolution of Mr.. Sumner.
pushing the enquiry to the point whether
any Senator had been in communication or
correspondence with any ''enissary or spy
Of any foreign government in re :crence to the
matter Of debate He addressed himself to
his amendment and more particularly to Mr.
Schurz. Although fluent 10 language, his
manner Of speaking oa this occasion, was ex-
cecdiugiy offensiva-his voice dissonant, and
his attitude and style, inharmonious with
those ola cultivated, refined gentleman, whose
very instincts forbade the presumptions and
egotisms Of the braggart and harlequin He
however, sufficiently yiudicated his self ap-
probation and that vulgar idea that rant and
fustian can be substituted in intelligent minds
for logic and reason. He boastfully and vo-
clferously proclaimed, with the staggering
air and imperious lhysicai demonstrations
Of a Bowery bully, that nothing but the rules
Of decornm which the Senate imposed, pre-
vented him from INDUCING N fercer terms to
indicate the ranking anger in his soul, thus
contessing that he was not restrained by the
dictates Of sef-respect, or an inherent respec:
for the decencies Of refined esthetical senti.
ment, but the british fear of the penalty at
tachcd to the violation Of an established law
OF decorum. Schurz listened to the braegart
TRADE, with calm, undisturbed dignity, keep
ing his sparkling eye steadily upon the foun-
dering form and features of ebbiug and flow
ing passion of the speaker Conkling, having
exhausted his mine of insinuative denunciation
sat down with the enquiry whether the Sem
ator from Missouri would vote for the amend
ment
Schurz instantly sprang to his feet, ssd in
the most classic language-keen aud ingisivc
spoke for about fifteen minutes. His at.
titude reminaed US of the graceful Ipoise which
lends charm to the statue of Henry Clay
in the Capitoi7 grounds at Richmond. Al
though the German accent is very pa;pahle
his enunciatipn is distinct and clear every
word uttered with musical ring that can
tivates the ear Of the listener. His gestures
are fault!ess, ''suiting tho action to the word
aud the word TO the action" He warmed IN
as he proceeded, his ideas flowing in a stream
OF the NEST aaluent English we have ever
heard His face redolent with indignant feel
ing, his voice raised to commanding tone
his right hand trembling with the emotion
that burned within him, and pointing to the
Senator from New York, he closed with the