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SKETCHES 
 
 OF 
 
 UNITED STATES' SENATORS, 
 
 lA 
 
 OF THE 
 
 SESSION OF 1887-'8. 
 
 "** I STAND A SENATOR WITHIN THE SENATE HOUSE. 
 
 n 
 
 BY 
 
 "A LOOKER ON HERE IN VERONA." 
 
 WASHINGTON: 
 WILLIAM M. MORRISON. 
 
 1839. 
 

 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1839^ 
 
 BY JOSEPH ETTER, 
 
 In the Clerk's OiDce of the District Court of the District of 
 
 Columbia, 
 
 JOSEPH ETTER, PRINTER, 
 C ORNER OF PENlf. AYENUK AJiD TENTH STPvEET. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Dedication, ^ 
 
 Preface, 7" 
 
 Henry Clay; 13 
 
 Daniel Webster, 18 
 
 John C . Calhoun, 25 
 
 Thomas H. Benton, 29 
 
 William C. Preston, , 33 
 
 Felix Grundy and Hugh L. White, 36 
 
 Samuel L. Southard, 40 
 
 Garrett D. Wall, 43 
 
 Silas Wright, , 48 
 
 John J. Crittenden, ,......., 52 
 
 James Buchanan, 55 
 
 Nathaniel P. Tallmadge, 59 
 
 William C. Rives, , , , , 64 
 
 -aphonias Allen, 66 
 
TO 
 
 TRUTH, 
 
 THESE SKETCHES ARE DEDICATED, 
 
 BT 
 
 THX AUTHOR, 
 
1i 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 No sentiment of the human mind is more general' 
 and lively than that curiosity which is found ever 
 prevalent, to know something of the history of 
 those who are eminent in our day, either because 
 of the station which they occupy or the reputation 
 for intellectual superiority which they enjoy. When 
 therefore, individuals thus distinguished are so 
 situated that the good or evil fortunes of the com-- 
 munity are, in some measure, committed to their 
 charge, the interest which they excite is propor- 
 tionately increased. 
 
 Under any circumstances, the Senate of the 
 United States, during the period embraced by these 
 Sketches, would most amply repay all the attention 
 bestowed upon it. 
 
 A variety of reasons have lately conspired to 
 give to this august body new dignity and consider- 
 ation. Its members have been characters, generally, , 
 of the utmost note, and besides coming into its 
 deliberations with established fame as orators and 
 statesmen, their connexion with exciting periods 
 in our history, and their being participants in* 
 
VIII 
 
 scenes just transpiring or yet in a course of enact- 
 ment; has given a spiceness to their proceedings, 
 and a correspondent value with the public, of rare 
 occurrence. Perhaps we do not flatter our National 
 pride at the expense of truth, when we hazard the de- 
 claration that the Representatives of the Sovereign 
 States in the Councils of the Nation present, in pro- 
 portion to their numbers, an amount of intellectual 
 and moral excellence not exceeded by that pos« 
 sessed by the same body at any preceding epoch 
 of its history, and by few, if any, assemblies for 
 the purpose of legislation which belong, or have 
 belonged, to other countries, or to other times. 
 
 Many of these distinguished men have held tho 
 highest offices of honor and trust in the respective 
 States from which they are sent ; many of them 
 are looking eagerly forward, ambitious of further 
 political advancement ; many are engaged in rival 
 emulation, and side by side in the view and under 
 the criticism and vigilance of each other, are pur- 
 suing their various career, towards the same cora- 
 mon end. 
 
 When we add to all these considerations that 
 topics of the utmost moment, in which th« 
 States of this Confederation, and the whole peo- 
 ple of the country, are deeply and immediateijr. 
 
IX 
 
 concerned, claim their attention; that they are 
 men whose wisdom and acquirements are well 
 known and appreciated ; that the ardor and ability 
 which have marked their discussions have ren- 
 dered the Senate chamber a school of knowledge 
 and of eloquence of the highest order, it must 
 be admitted that if the ensuing pages contain 
 nothing engaging, the fault may fairly be attri- 
 buted, not to the matter of which they treat, 
 but the imperfect manner in v;hich the subject is 
 approached. 
 
 It is needless to offer any apology for the errors 
 which these Sketches may contain. They are 
 presented to the public — and they will certain- 
 ly (whatever may be here averred of them) ex- 
 perience no immunity from the fate of every 
 thing else submitted to that tribunal. If any one 
 think it worth the necessary waste of stationary to 
 criticise these pages, I do not object, "they are fair 
 food for powder" — but this I will add, that all my 
 desire has been to avoid injustice to any ; and es- 
 pecially in a matter in its nature, of necessity, 
 somewhat personal, I have endeavored not to in- 
 duge in any remark that might savor of a disposi- 
 tion to ridicule — all opinion and feeling, originating 
 
in preference or dislike on party or political grounds, 
 I have sought with care to resist, and have intend- 
 ed, even if I have failed, to obey what the great 
 poet of truth, nature and morality, has enjoined, to, 
 
 *' Nothing extenuate, 
 Nor set down aught in malice." 
 
SKETCHES 
 
 OF 
 tJNlTED STATES' SENATORS, 
 
 5E3SIOX 01? 1837-'8. 
 
SKETCHES, &c. 
 
 HENRY CLAY. 
 
 Mr. Clay is an individual calculated, in any 
 country, and at any period, to command much no- 
 tice. His talents and his cast of mind are of the 
 practical order. You are struck at once with his 
 appearance. He is tall and slender of shape, his 
 arms, defectively, too long for his size. In dress 
 he is plain — yet adhering to the now antiquated 
 blue coat and gilt buttons. When he commences 
 his remarks, he appears rather awkward and un- 
 gainly — which appearance is heightened by a pro- 
 nunciation of some words with marked peculiarity 
 and impropriety. These defects, however, are lost 
 sight of, as he proceeds, and when warmed Vvith a 
 subject favorable to display, he is certainly the 
 most overpowering and fascinating speaker of his 
 ao-e. His form then becomes loftv and erect — his 
 countenance beams with life. He looks, thinks, 
 and feels every word that he utters. His action is, 
 at times, violent in the extreme, vet not over- 
 strained or unnatural. His voice is indescribably 
 fine, and constitutes one of the greatest charms of 
 his oratory. Indeed no man can v. itness an eflbrt 
 
 ©f Mr. Clay's, without assenting to the truth of 
 o 
 
14 
 
 the remark of the Grecian, who being asked where- 
 in consisted eloquence, replied "action, action, 
 action." 
 
 Of Mr. Clay, as an orator, you can have no 
 kind of idea, by reading his speeches. You are 
 amazed when you peruse coolly in the papers, a 
 day or t\vo afterwards, what enchained your at- 
 tention, and feasted your soul and your senses, 
 midst the crowd and beauty at the capitol. I 
 well remember the first time that I heard Mr. 
 Clay. I was quite a child, and on a holiday al- 
 ternoon wandered into the capitol. The columns 
 and the pictures "caught my youthful fancy." 
 Whilst there, Mr. Clay spoke, casually and briefly, 
 upon the repair of the Cumberland road. I recol- 
 lect it as if the occurrence was but of yesterday. 
 The impression upon me by his voice and manner 
 was indelible — that voice ! how various, how com- 
 mandinfi;, hov/ rich in volume, and in intonation! 
 In the course of his remarks, he ui^ed this excla- 
 mation, -"th« West! theYv^est!! the poor West!!!" 
 I was actually awed ! The painted dome above 
 his elevated form repeated "the West, the West." 
 He o-ave to the word poor, a most melancholy 
 emphasis: — it Vvas re-echoed with added dole- 
 fulness. 
 
 Simple as this circumstance may seem, and 
 lono" ago as it occurred, yet the music, the magic, 
 the tone and effect, with which that simple sen- 
 tence was uttered, engraved it, with the form and 
 
15 
 
 manner of the speaker, forever upon my memory, 
 
 and 
 
 " It haunts me yet, tho' many a year has fled, 
 Like some wild melody." 
 
 The face of Mr. Clay is strongly indicative of mind 
 and passion. His hair is light — unfrosted yet — his 
 forehead expanded — his nose large, broad, and Ro- 
 man — his eyes blue, his cheek bones prominent, 
 his complexion florid. His most remarkable fea- 
 ture, however, is the mouth, which expands al- 
 most from ear to ear, and is wonderfully expres- 
 sive. It is very difficult, truly and fairly, to de- 
 pict the characteristics of the mind of Mr. Clay. 
 He possesses the utmost tact and readiness in de- 
 bate. He is plain, practical, and convincing in ar- 
 gument, with ready Avit and matchless declama- 
 tion. Although fervid and vehement, yet Mr. Clay 
 cannot be said to be imaginative. You find fev/ 
 of his expressions or paragraphs brilliant or striking 
 enough for preservation. There seems but little 
 poetry. in his matter, and that little not always in 
 the best taste, but appears, as it were, by accident, 
 upon the surface of his earnest diction. His great 
 power is passion — the basis of that passion a strong, 
 common-sense conviction of the truth of what he 
 utters. He drags his hearers along with him, like the 
 locomotive brings on the attached cars — the steam 
 within impels the first, and the latter must obey the 
 propulsion. His mind appears surcharged vjith a 
 force of conviction sufficient to hurry his v/hoie 
 audience irresistibly to his own conclusions. 
 
16 
 
 Mr. Clay is well calculated to earn and deserve^ 
 popularity. He cultivates kind feelings towards 
 his adversaries, and gives and receives, without of- 
 fence, whatever pleasantry to which a subject may 
 be calculated to give rise. He is bold and spirited 
 in every movement, and physically and morally of 
 undaunted bravery. He is eminently calculated 
 to head and lead a party — feeling enthusiasm and 
 imparting it. His views of policy are liberal and 
 broad. The ambition with which he is charged is 
 but the natural instinct of his greatness — that voice 
 within calling to eminence those who know them- 
 selves to be capable of attaining it. He has long 
 been' prominent before the country, and all wall 
 agree that, in times of trial, his patriotic exertions 
 have been devoted to the o-eneral o;ood. Without 
 discussing the propriety of his political career, (al- 
 ways studiously repudiated in these sketches,) at 
 least we may add, without reproof from any, that 
 " He has done the State some service, and the}' know it." 
 Mr. Clay may be said to have commenced his 
 political career by a spirited opposition in 1797, '98, 
 to the Alien and Sedition Laws. In 1S06 he was 
 appointed by the Legislature of Kentucky, to serve 
 out the unexpired term of General Adair, in the 
 Senate of the United States. In 1811 he opposed 
 the renewal of the charter of the Bank of the Unit- 
 ed States. He was an ardent supporter of the 
 late war. In 1814 he w'as sent to Ghent as one of 
 the commissioners to nearotiate with those of Great 
 
17 
 
 Biitain, about the psace which resulted from their 
 labors. Gi the system of Internal Improvements by 
 the General Government he mav be almost said 
 to be the father. The Tariff and protection of Do- 
 mestic iMaaufactures have found in him an unva- 
 rying friend. He vras also very conspicuous in 
 the -settlement of the much vexed Missouri ques- 
 tion — a subject which threatened the permanence 
 of our glorious institutions. Mr. Clay long pre- 
 sided over the House • of Representatives ; — that 
 high and diiScult station he filled with great abihty 
 and success. Such are some of the prominent 
 points and characteristics of his career. His later 
 history has transpired within the m.emory, and be- 
 fore the eye, cf the reader. His industry is un- 
 tiring ; his spirit has never flagged nor quailed be- 
 fore diiSculty or defeat. For the last few years the 
 party to Vvhich he is attached has always turned 
 to him with the affection and the confidence which 
 they havo willingly extended to one long trusted 
 and respected. Mr. Clay seems yet in the en- 
 joyment of vigorous health and fine spirits. Time 
 has dealt not unkindly with him, and his faculties 
 of mind and body, promise long to continue in un- 
 abated strength and health. 
 
 
18 
 
 DANIEL WEBSTER 
 
 There are few names more conspicuous in the 
 political history of the day than that which heads 
 this article. Pursuant to my fixed intention, I will 
 carefully abstain (in the portraiture which I shall 
 attempt to make of this distinguished individual) 
 from every observation of a political or partisan 
 character. 
 
 The person of Mr. Webster is short, large, heavy 
 and unwieldly ; in movement he is slow and ap- 
 parently inactive. He dresses plainly, in dark, 
 colors, with neatness and taste, but without any 
 attempt whatever at display. His countenance 
 is very remarkable, his complexion saturnine, hi& 
 eyes and hair of a deep black. His lips are thin, 
 his teeth of dazzling whiteness. His forehead is 
 very peculiar, of most uncommon magnitude, his 
 brows heavy and lowering.* The moment that 
 your eyes rest upon him, you conclude that he is 
 a man of great mind, and conscious of intellectual 
 superiority. His features are not well calculated, 
 to give pov;erful expression to passion. You will 
 often observe, v/hen he is animated, a sneer upon 
 his face, which accompanies every remiark which 
 proceeds from him of particular force or severity. 
 Although most studiously urbane in his deport- 
 ment, and from education and disposition averse to 
 giving pain, yet, when justified in such a course 
 
19 
 
 by the conduct of his opponents, he is capable of 
 wielding with readiness a sword of sarcasm and 
 satire which cuts -with the keenness of the scimitar 
 of the East. Mr. Webster is distinguished for so- 
 lidity, strength, and power of reasoning. His usual 
 manner is cold and didactic, frequently, however, 
 extremely earnest, and always Avhen earnest most 
 powerfully eloquent. Although trained to the severe 
 mental discipline of the bar, he is fond of ornament, 
 and is always successful v/hen he attempts it. He 
 possesses a fine imagination, and is never averse, 
 whilst traversing the thorny paths of political dis- 
 putation, to scatter the flowers of rhetorical ele- 
 gance around him. He often displays a familiar 
 acquaintance with the poets. He is a practised 
 and fluent speaker, and ready in debate. His 
 views of a subject are always liberal and enlarged, 
 and he enjoys the advantage of a fund of know- 
 ledge of the most extensive character, which his v/ell- 
 trained mind enables him to apply v/ith peculiar 
 advantasie in debate. The North seldom furnishes 
 a passionate declaimer. The temperature of m.an 
 generally partakes of the nature of the clime in 
 which he is reared. The coldness of his home 
 reigns throughout the manner and appearance of 
 Mr. Webster. He never thunders with the wild 
 vehem.ence of Mr. Clay, or burns with the con- 
 tinuous warmth of Preston or Calhoun. He wants 
 the passion and enthusiasm which is necessary to 
 eloquence of the most overpowering and exciting 
 
20 
 
 character. Yet be is an orator ofsrreat excellence, 
 and a most efficient speaker. His manner suits 
 his matter, and he displays as much fervor as you 
 would deem in appropri?.te keeping with the sober- 
 ness and deep study which characterize all his re- 
 marks. You always listen to him with attention, 
 and when he concludes you invariably rise from 
 hearing him v;ith a firm conviction of his greatness 
 as a man, and that your time has been profitably 
 employed Vvhilstyou heard him. His habits must 
 be those of sreat industry, and whilst at Washinfr- 
 ton, his time, in public, is divided bctv/een the 
 Senate chamber and the barof the Supreme court. 
 In the latter forum his powers have frequently 
 been tasked, and tested, by collision v^dth minds 
 of the highest order and most extended attainments. 
 There — where his greatest laurels have been won — 
 his competitors have been such n^en as Taney, 
 Pinckney, Jones, Eram.et, Wirt, and others. Ilia 
 orations upon occasional subjects, unconnected with -.- 
 politics or the law, have added greatly to his repu- 
 tation, and are preserved and held forth to the 
 public as models of literary excellence. His power 
 in debate has been frequently brought into requisi- 
 tion in the House of Representatives, and in the 
 Senate of the United States. The writer of this 
 had an opportunity frequently to hear him during 
 what was called the panic session, and also to wit- 
 ness the whole of that intellectual combat, which 
 took place between Mr. Webster andMr.Hayne, 
 
^1 
 
 upon Mr. Foote's celebrated resolution. I well 
 recollect the expression of unmitigated scorn which 
 crossed the lips of this Senator w^hen Mr. Hayne 
 intimated that he had passed by Mr. Benton, to at- 
 tack him, and that Mr. Benton was an over-match 
 for him : 
 
 " Matches and over matches ! Those terms are more ap- 
 plicable elsewhere than here, and titter for other assembla- 
 ges than this. Sir ! the gentleman seems to forget where, 
 and what, we are. This is a Senate ; a Senate of equals — 
 of men of individual honor, and personal character, and of 
 absolute independence. We know no masters — we acknow- 
 ledge no dictators. This is a hall for mutual consultation 
 and discussion ; not an arena for the exhibition of champions. 
 I offer myself, sir, as a match for no man. I throw the chal- 
 lenge of debate at no man's feet. But then, sir, since the 
 honorable member has put the question in a manner that calls 
 for an answer, I will give him an answ'er. And I tell him, 
 that holding myself to be the humblest of the members here, 
 I yet know nothing in the arm of bis friend from Missouri, 
 either alone, or when aided by the arm of his friend from 
 Carolina, that need deter even me from espousing whatever 
 opinions I may choose to espouse, from debating whenever 
 I may choose to debate, or from speaking whatever I may 
 see fit to say, on the floor of the Senate. . Sir, when uttered 
 as matter of commendation or compliment, I should dissent 
 from nothing which tiie honorable member might say of his 
 friend, still less do I put forth any pretensions of my own. 
 But when put to me, as a matter of taunt, I throw it back 
 and say to the gentleman, that he could possibly have said 
 nothing less likely than such a comparison to wound my 
 pride of personal character. '' 
 
 I also well rem.ember his most magnificent con- 
 clusion in this debate. The Senate chamber was 
 
2-2 
 
 crowded ; the members of the House of Represen- 
 tatives had abandoned their posts, to be present. 
 Surrounded by the nodding feathers, the glittering 
 ornaments, and rich and fashionable array of the 
 beauty of the land, Mr. Webster advanced a step 
 in front of his desk, which he pushed behind him, 
 and in a tone and manner of the utmost earnest- 
 ness — turning from the chair of the president and 
 looking towards Mr. Hayne — with very little ac- 
 tion at the commencement, but increasing in heat 
 and vehemence as he progressed, until at length 
 hfs became impassioned and violent in the extreme, 
 and far more eloquent than I had ever heard him 
 before or since — he observed : 
 
 " I have not allowed myself, sir, to look beyond the 
 Union to see what might lie hidden in the dark recess be- 
 hind. I have not coolly weighed the chances of presendng 
 liberty^ when the bonds that unite us together shall be broken 
 asunder. I have not permitted myself to hang over the pre- 
 cipice of disunion to see whether, with my short sight, I 
 can fatl:om the depth of the abyss below ; nor could I re- 
 gard /im as a safe counsellor in the affairs of this Govern- 
 ment, whose thoughts should be mainly bent on considering 
 not how the Union could be best preserved, but how tolera- 
 ble n:ight be the condition of the people, when it shall be 
 broken up and destroyed. WI)ile the Union lasts we have 
 high, inciting, gratifying pospects spread out before us and 
 our children. Beyond that I seek not to penetrate the 
 veil. God grant that in my day, at least, that curtain may 
 not rise. God grant that on my vision may nevsr be opened 
 vyhal lies behind. When my eyes shall be turned to behold 
 for the last time, the sun in heaven, may I not see him shin- 
 ing on the broken and dishonored fragments of a once glo- 
 
^3 
 
 rious Union ; on States dissevered — discordant — belligerent ; 
 on a land rent with civil feuds, or drenched it may be in 
 fraternal blood ! Let their last feeble and lingering glance 
 rather behold the gorgeous ensign of the Republic, now 
 known and honored througliout the earth, still full high ad- 
 vanced, its arms and trophies streaming in all their original 
 lustre — not a stripe erased or polluted, nor a single star ob- 
 scured — bearing for its motto no such miserable interrogato- 
 ry as ' ivhat is all this worth ? ' nor those other words q^" de- 
 lusion and folly. Liberty first, and Union afterwards ; but 
 everywhere, spread all over in characters of living light 
 blazing on all its ample folds, as they float over the sea, and 
 over the land, and in every wind under the w-hole heavens, 
 that otlier sentiment dear to every true American heart — Li- 
 berty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable ! " 
 
 It is difficult to find anything in American liter- 
 ature transcending the richness and beauty of 
 this extract. The allusion to theflao-ofthe country 
 is finely poetic. The example of Mr. Webster 
 proves conclusively that the most energetic and pow- 
 erful minds are not unpropitious to the culture and 
 growth of the more chaste and better productions 6f 
 the imagination. The prose of Milton is as powerful 
 andnervous as his poetry is pre-eminently sublime. 
 Shakspeare is as renowned for his accuracy — for 
 his knowledge of man, and of the human heart- 
 as for the sweetness of his verse, his taste and thril- 
 ling pathos. It is a curious fact that the earlier ef- 
 forts of Mr. Curran are plain and void of attempt 
 at rhetoric display, and he has declared that all his 
 excellence — for which he is so celebrated — in 
 splendor of expression and eastern gorgeousness 
 and imagery, was the result of labor and of study. 
 
24 
 
 The tinted and perfumed flowers require, in rear- 
 ing, the same assiduous care and attention which 
 are lavished upon the fruit and grain of autumn. 
 Success, therefore, in this department of mind, is 
 equally entitled to our consideration, as in the more 
 valued attributes of the reasoning faculty. It is a 
 common and injurious error that they may not be 
 combined. Mr. Chief Justice Marshall said of 
 Mr. Pinckney, of Maryland, that he wielded the 
 club of Hercules entwined with flowers — an ex- 
 pression itself — a beautiful illustration and example 
 of the very merit in another, which commanded so 
 apt and warm an eulogium. The writer of this is 
 not of the number of the personal friends of this 
 gentleman, and feels that in remarks which find 
 their origin only in a sense of truth and justice, 
 his opinion is not swayed by prndelictions of any 
 character in favor of the individual of whom he 
 speaks. The history of Mr. Webster is interest- 
 ing as that of one — of whom it is our boast that 
 our institutions are calculated to exhibit numerous 
 instances — who has risen by his own exertions, 
 from an origin of comparative humility to posts 
 of the greatest eminence ; and whatever may be 
 the diversity of opinion as respects the weight or 
 merit of his views as a politician, he has won his 
 way to widely-spread and cndurin;? fame, and to 
 the respect and admiration of his fellow-citizens; 
 and no man, who thinks and feels as every Ameri- 
 ean should, but is proud of him. 
 
^ 
 
 JOHN C, CALHOUN, 
 
 1[ now proceed to give the reader a short sketch 
 ^of the " honest nullifier," as Mr. Calhoun once 
 st3/led himself. This eminent individual is not a 
 fine speaker. Whilst addressing the Senate he 
 stands quite erect. His eyes are fixed upon the 
 carpet. His usual action is that of the right hand 
 up and down, not unlike the motion of a pump- 
 handle. His figure is tall, his hair bushy and 
 abundant, his forehead not remarkably high, but 
 broad and compact. His countenance, altogether, 
 has a Roman cast and expression. His lips are 
 stern, boldly outlined and generally closely com- 
 pressed; his eyes dark and keen. In argument 
 or debate he never refers to a note ; what he says 
 he says right on — his ideas appearing to crowd 
 more rapidly than language can be found to give 
 utterance to them. Although wanting the graces 
 of manner, no man is heard with more attention. 
 His sentences are usually short. He aims at no 
 adornment of style ; indeed, the character of his 
 mind and of his political views would not admit of it. 
 His written speeches bear a strong resemblance to 
 those of Mr. Grattan. The Irish orator is more pas- 
 sionate, however, and his efforts differ from those of 
 Mr. Calhoun in being studiously and superbly or- 
 aaate. There exists, notwithstanding, a strong simili- 
 3 
 
^6 
 
 tude between them. In the productions of both we 
 find that sententious brevity which wastes not a word 
 in the expression of the idea — that philosophizing 
 spirit which extracts from poUtics their aridity, and 
 gives to a subject, generally ungrateful, vivacity and 
 interest. Mr. Calhoun can never work in the 
 traces, or wear the harness, of party. He is of a 
 disposition to look up to no individual as his su- 
 perior, nor to yield opinion in deference to num- 
 bers. I am not one of those who would say of him, 
 let him be anathema, — because of his nullifica- 
 tion. His conduct upon that subject was largely, 
 perhaps entirely, attributable to the position in 
 which he found himself. Had he opposed that 
 heresy, he would have been crushed in his native 
 State. This to every politician is the "vulnusim- 
 medicabile." I am yet a skeptic as regards public 
 men influencing public opinion in this country. 
 Many have been supposed to have created the cur- 
 rent, to have given it volume and impetus, when 
 in truth all their sagacity consisted in guessing its 
 future direction and so placing themselves as to be 
 borne onward upon its surface. 
 
 Mr. Calhoun came into Congress much about 
 the same time with Mr. Clay. He was alwaj^s 
 prominent and influential. He sustained both the 
 Declaration of War, and the war itself. Like Mr. 
 Clay, he advocated the Bank of the United States, 
 — of the bill for the charter of which he was the 
 author. Of the system of Internal Improvement 
 
27 
 
 by the General Government he was an enthusiastic 
 champion. He was also in favor of the Tariff, 
 originally, and its seminal principle of protection. 
 Departing from the sentiments and opinions of his 
 political associates, at the time, with creditable sa- 
 gacity and patriotism, he urged the expediency and 
 propriety of building up the Navy. For a number 
 of years he presided over the War Department. Of 
 his career as Secretary, but one opinion has ever 
 been pronounced ; all admit that he exhibited in 
 that station, talents both exalted and practical. 
 
 During General Jackson's administration he was 
 Vice President, and of course ex officio President 
 of the Senate. In the discharge of the duties of 
 this office he was most punctual and assiduous. 
 His quickness of movement and decision added to 
 the despatch of business. In the chair, his dignity 
 of appearance was universally remarked. Although 
 upon various questions co-operating with the Whig 
 party, Mr. Calhoun always seemed anxious to be 
 considered as not completely identified with them. 
 Of Mr. Calhoun's peculiar manner, we have 
 hitherto spoken. His opponents have objected to 
 him, that he is impracticable. It must be remark- 
 ed that this has very frequently been said of men 
 of whom it has also been alleged that their success 
 with mankind exceeded their merits. This denun- 
 ciation was a favorite one asrainst Mr. Jefferson. 
 Men of minds which unite originality with bril- 
 liancy, are apt to be called, or to be considered, 
 
2B 
 
 visionary. To be visionary is one thing, to be erratSr 
 another — to be the first is never to succeed. Those 
 who vary with experience and truth, certainly in- 
 crease their chances of success. The Federalists; 
 as a party, were consistent to their principles and 
 their measures. Their demerits bore no kind o£ 
 proportion to the extent of their defeat. 
 
 The mind of Mr. Calhoun is active, strongs 
 self-relying, bold and original. His opinions may 
 be incorrect, but from the splendid fallacy, his ad- 
 versary may learn. The very extent of his intel- 
 lectual vision frequently misleads — the astronomer 
 of old gazing upon the stars stumbled into the pit^ 
 In any matter of great moment or emergency I 
 would set the highest estimate upon the expositions, 
 reasoning, and opinion of Mr. Cai-houn, but at tlie 
 same time I should value quite as highly the priv- 
 ilege not to be obliged to follow that opinion when 
 pronounced. The style of Mr. Calhoun is per- 
 spicuous, his information extensive and well digest- 
 ed. He always speaks with comparative and com- 
 mendable brevity, and compresses into the least 
 possible compass. In turn of expression he is fre- 
 quently felicitous, almost invariably apposite and 
 exact; although well educated he affects no learned 
 ornament; the polish imparted by an acquaintance 
 with the schools, and the ancient models, is 
 evident in the elevation of his thoughts and the 
 chaste simplicity of a faultless diction. Seldora 
 does this gentleman utter on the floor any thing 
 unbecoming the Senator.. 
 
31 
 
 His position is that of ultra-Democracy ; nor 
 can servile obeisance to popular opinion, nor the 
 hope of reward from succumbing, be fairly laid to 
 his charge, since in the expunging resolution, in 
 his movements in reference to the Bank of the 
 United States, and upon the various other topics 
 with the consideration of which his name is asso- 
 ciated, he was always in advance of popular 
 opinion — standing in front of the very foremost — 
 a position which compels this to be said of him, 
 by friend or foe, when candor speaks, that if his 
 motives were good he deserves credit both for 
 honesty and success — if they were not honest, the 
 subsequent popularity of his opinions, uttered and 
 enforced long before the people v^^ere brought 
 finally to approve, is the strongest proof of supe- 
 rior sagacity — that knowledge to all the most dif- 
 ficult, to the politician the most useful — prescience 
 of the future. 
 
 Mr. Benton has labored very zealously against 
 the Bank of the United States, co-operating with 
 the late President Jackson in all his measures, in- 
 imical to that institution. He was also the author 
 and one of the most untiring advocates of the no- 
 torious (I will not sdij famous) expunging resolu- 
 tion, v/hich was brought forward by him repeatedly, 
 after numerous failures, until, at length, he suc- 
 ceeded in causing its adoption. Indeed this sub- 
 ject, and his success in reference to it, has been 
 to him a subject of much seif-gratulation. Boast- 
 
p. 
 
 ingly he declared in the Senate, "solitary and 
 alone I set this ball in motion." Latterly Mr. 
 Benton has been less prominent and conspicuous. 
 He appears to be yet in the vigor of health and 
 manhood. 
 
29 
 
 T II ]\I A S H.BENTON. 
 
 Entering the eastern gallery of the Senate cham- 
 ber, b}^ the usual place of admission, which is the 
 southern door, and looking thence upon the floor, 
 in a direction about northwest, the eye rests upon a 
 personage, of goodly corporeal dimensions— florid 
 of complexion, and of marked pinquidity. The 
 individual alluded to, you will observe to dress with 
 particular neatness and care, to use in a style of 
 apparent dandyism the eyeglass which hangs upon 
 his bosom in fetters of gold, to be almost perpetu- 
 ally engaged in writing or in the examination of 
 the heaps of documents and papers piled upon his 
 desk, a finely attired, pleasant-seeming gentle- 
 man — behold the " Great Expunger." There are 
 few gentlemen by whom he is surrounded who 
 are liked, or hated, as cordially as himself. His 
 enemies would describe him as in mind, or matter 
 the very definition of the contemptible, whilst on 
 the other hand there are those who consider him 
 not surpassed by any in strength of mind and 
 force of illustration. 
 
 That both opinions are wide of the truth, the ju- 
 dicious reader will be prepared to believe. The 
 evercoloring of the friendly hand, and the distor- 
 tion by that which is inimical, leaves the genuine 
 portrait yet to be drawn. 
 
30 
 
 The standing of Colonel Benton with his 
 hearers, is materially effected by a manner faulty 
 and unpopular, and by the natural disadvantage of 
 an unpleasant voice under which he labors ; a 
 twang decidedly nasal effects his intonation, and 
 his action, seems over lofty and theatrical, sound- 
 ing rather for stage effect. He is antipode to 
 Mr. Clay, in this, that his speeches always read 
 surprisingly better than they appear to the hearer. 
 
 Mr. Benton will be heard or read with profit 
 upon any question, and upon any side upon which 
 he appears before the public. 
 
 He is most laborious, bringing into his arguments, 
 which are powerful, a complete array and army of 
 facts. 
 
 Unmeasured vituperation has been poured upon 
 him, but on the other hand his speeches are reprint- 
 ed most extensively, and further and more widely 
 than his enemies can, or will, realize, is his name 
 with the people, a "household woi-d." He is an 
 earnest, bold, but as we have before observed, 
 rather unpleasant speaker. 
 
 His style, which is strong, full of fervor and 
 energy, occasionally "overleaps the modesty of 
 nature." 
 
 His memory appears to be most retentive and 
 his mind a complete storehouse of information. 
 His faults and merits, in debate, are alike promi- 
 nent. 
 
S3 
 
 TVILLIAM C. PRESTON. 
 
 Amongst the distinguished ornaments of the 
 country and the Senate, Mr. Preston deserves a 
 conspicuous place. His person is remarkaby tall, 
 finely shaped, inclining to corpulency. His face 
 is extremely florid — his hair, not auburn, but posi- 
 tively red. His resemblance to the likeness of 
 Cicero has been frequently remarked, and is sin- 
 gularly striking. I have often observed the state- 
 liness of his motion upon entering the Senate 
 chamber, and the Roman style of ease and ele- 
 gance with which he managed the flowing drapery 
 of a splendid cloak, robing a form in which grace, 
 manliness and strength seemed to concentrates 
 The voice of Mr. Preston is musical, managceable 
 and well managed — his intonation apparently studi- 
 ed, but natural — his action easy, and to appearance, 
 subdued from the vehemence which the ardor 
 of his temperament would beget, to a degree of 
 chastened earnestness. His imagination, which is 
 luxuriant, is bridled down by a severe and curbing 
 taste. He constantly evinces extent and variety 
 of intellectual culture, and a pleasing familiarity 
 with the great models of mind and excellence, 
 ancient and modern. He is said to be a relative of 
 the great Henry, the southern Demosthenes, of the 
 days and cause "that tried the souls of men." 
 The very sentiment that a drop of the blood of 
 
34 
 
 such a man is circulating in the veins of a speaker 
 should warm his heart, and give to his tongue elo- 
 quence and utterance. 
 
 Mr. Preston has not been many years a mem- 
 ber of the Senate, but has already attained to 
 great eminence and notoriety. He is a thorough 
 Whig, having parted with his colleague, Mr. Cal- 
 houn, upon the sub-Treasury question. 
 
 In style and manner JMr. Preston very much 
 resembles the late Mr. Wirt, in whom was so pleas- 
 ingly combined strength of reasoning, with the 
 varied and elegant graces of lighter literature. 
 
 The fine arts are indebted to him for apprecia- 
 tion and encouragement. They have ever found 
 in him a judicious, discriminating and liberal pa- 
 tron. One striking: instance might be alluded to, 
 (the mention of which is calculated to do him the 
 utmost honor,) when, with generous kindness, 
 he volunteered to aid the resources and advance 
 the prospects of a native genius, whose future em- 
 inence in the noble art of statuary we take the 
 liberty to prophecy, will, at some future, and not 
 distant day, be a matter of national pride to us all. 
 
 It would give the author of these slight sketches 
 the utmost pleasure, if possessed of the necessary 
 materials to give more at large the details belong- 
 ing to the history of Mr. Preston. His native 
 State has indeed just cause of pride in the charac- 
 ter of her Senators. When asked for her jewels, 
 like the Roman mother, she may well point to 
 her children. 
 
85 
 
 As an orator, Mr. Preston ranks very highly. 
 Some have even preferred him to Mr. Clay, with 
 injustice, as I think, to the latter. 
 
 His eloquence (strong and energetic) belongs to 
 the Irish school. He has ardor, brilliancy — copia 
 vcrborum. He cultivates good humor, and will 
 frequently indulge in the exhibition of a wit, 
 which ever sparkles. 
 
 There are few indeed of our public men, who. 
 in as brief a period, have created for themselves, 
 in public or private, a character more exalted, 
 more amiable, and enviable, than that which be- 
 longs to this Senator. 
 
36 
 
 FELIXGRUNDY AND HUGHL. WHITE, 
 
 OF TENNESSEE. 
 
 The State of Tennessee presents much interest 
 to the poHtician. It is one of the few States, save 
 Virginia, which has given a President to the Union, 
 and strange as it may appear, although the residence 
 of the military chief, whose influence and popu- 
 larity have been so extended, she has been almost 
 the first to recede from his party. Her two Sena- 
 tors, Grundy and White, differ as much in politi- 
 cal sentiment as they do in personal appearance, 
 which is widely enough. Mr. Grundy has been 
 long a prominent individual. During the war he was 
 distin2;uished as a bold and skilful debater, hio;h in 
 the confidence of the Republican party, and the 
 point of much denunciation from the Federal op- 
 ponents of that measure. He has adhered through- 
 out to the Jackson party, and is now advanced to 
 the post of Attorney General. His colleague, be- 
 longing to the party ascendant in his State, re- 
 ceived a few votes at the late election for President, 
 and enjoys a high reputation for clearness and 
 strength of mind. Mr. Grundy advocated, Mr. 
 White opposed, the sub-Treasury, — the present 
 dividing topic of parties. Their relative difference 
 of position has led, on one occasion at least, to un- 
 pleasant altercation, the recollection of which I am 
 not anxious to revive, but a reference to which is 
 
37 
 
 necessary as part of their mutual history. Both 
 •enjoy extensive reputation as lawyers, the one 
 liaving been considered, for many years, as a most 
 able judge, the other succeeding as a criminal law- 
 yer of the highest repute. As the Indians never 
 4eave their Avounded or dead to fall into the hands 
 of the enemy, so the Jackson party, acting upon a 
 kindred principle of policy, invariably make pro- 
 vision for the slain or disabled of political warfare. 
 Mr. Grundy is provided for, as. Attorney General, 
 Judge White still remains upon the theatre. Time 
 has visited with snow the brows of both, but the 
 fires of feelins; and ambition burn beneath, like 
 the wrath of the volcano coming out of the frosty 
 crater. 
 
 Mr. Grundy is a graceful speaker, voluble and 
 ever ready ; prone to utter, or to hear, things 
 •that are pleasant. He is experienced, and by reason 
 thereof, cautious ; and aiming generall}'" to assume 
 the position best calculated for his powers — that of 
 -defence. A certain natural bluntness and candor, 
 however, belong to his character, which will some- 
 times break out in spite of studied restraint. His 
 manner is warm and effective. Judge White is 
 cool and calm ever ; great precision characterises all 
 1he says. He evidently thinks clearly and closely. 
 He possesses an earnestness, which may or may not 
 be, but which has very much the appearance of, 
 honesty. A quite perceptible stammering impedes 
 and deforms his utterance, giving at first pain to 
 iht hearer. 
 4 
 
38 
 
 As regards their temperament, from experience 
 and from physiognomy, I should say, that to Mr. 
 Grundy belong fire, animation and impetus, on 
 every occasion ; that Mr. White possesses con- 
 siderable control over feelings liable to be quickly 
 warmed ; that he is sudden of excitement, and 
 cooling as soon. 
 
 As regards the personal appearance of these 
 Senators: — 
 
 Mr. Grundy rejoices in a good portly figure, no 
 "ways discrediting the soil which may have given 
 him sustenance, with a countenance rosy, round and 
 smooth, expressive of good humor, good feeling 
 and self-contentment — eyes gray^ and sparkling — 
 hair whitened, but bushing about in every direction 
 and abundant ; neither toil nor thought has chis- 
 elled cheek or brow. His age, with the apparent 
 healthfulness and comfort which accompany it, 
 deserves the beautiful description of the finest of 
 poets, " frosty but kindly." The attenuated thin- 
 ness of his colleague is in striking contrast. In this 
 respect Judge White reminds us of the story told 
 of one of the Greek poets, who was compelled to 
 carry lead in his pockets for fear of being blown 
 awav. The face of Judge White is dio;nified and 
 Impressive, bony however, thin and elongated. 
 Care and time have marked it with furrows and 
 sedateness. His eyes are small, gray and bright, 
 his hair comes down over his temples plain, long 
 and white. His habits seem those of great atten- 
 tion to business. He speaks seldom ; avoiding the 
 
39 
 
 general time-consuming sin, and is ever heard with 
 marked respect. 
 
 What changes a few years produce in the re- 
 lative positions of party men! Not long ago these 
 distinguished Senators were united in raising An- 
 drew Jackson to power ; they are now to each other 
 the very extreme of opposition ; a few short seasons 
 ago, how trustingly they confided in each other ! 
 now they indulge in mutual recrimination — "var- 
 ium et mutahile semper, ^^ the poet says of woman — 
 it should rather be said of the politician. After 
 all, are the honors of public life worth what they 
 cost? 
 
 In this vein of inquiry I talce my leave of Ten* 
 aessee. 
 
10 
 
 SAMUEL L. SOUTHARD, 
 
 The little State of New Jersey contributes her 
 proportion to the intellect of the Senate. Mr. 
 Southard would be prominent in any assembly ; 
 his talents are alike profound and brilliant. In va- 
 rious departments, political and judicial, in his 
 native State and in the employmentof the Federal 
 Government, he has had ample opportunity for 
 great acquisition and improvement. The appear- 
 ance of this gentleman is striking — his seat in the 
 Senate is near to that of Mr. Clav, with whom he 
 is on terms of the utmost personal intimacy. 
 
 His eyes are gray and sparkling, his nose prom- 
 inent and Roman, his hair rising up in bushiness 
 above his forehead, his figure of ordinary height^ 
 compact and firmly knit. His voice is command- 
 ing and impressive, well calculated to convey 
 warmth and earnestness of feeling. I should say 
 that he is either a very honest man, or a very good 
 actor. His manner is altogether extremely fine — oc- 
 casionally I have heard him surpassingly eloquent. 
 
 Mr. Southard is evidently a ripe scholar, bold 
 and quick in reply, smiting with a degree of sar- 
 casm, which he has the courage to use upon ap- 
 propriate occasions. His zeal and vehemence, 
 however, have carried him at times rather beyond 
 the bounds of discretion. Mf. Southard has. 
 itood wiith coDistancy and devotion^ without wavftt- 
 
41 
 
 ing, beneath the Whig flag during all its fortunes,, 
 for weal or for prosperity. 
 
 Upon most questions of moment his views are 
 presented to the public. 
 
 His opponents have not spared him. A lava 
 flood of invective and reproof have constantly 
 poured across his path, and there can be no surer 
 proof of the importance of a political character than 
 the violence and venom v/ith which his enimies 
 assail him. The lifrhtnini^s of heaven blaze around 
 the loftiest pinnacles ; that only which is elevated 
 invites the ambition of the destroyer. 
 
 The career of Mr. Soutaard has been one of 
 much honor, labor and usefulness. 
 
 He is a lawyer of gi*eat distinction and has been 
 for a long time Attorney General of his native 
 State. During the Administration of John Quincy 
 Adams he w^as Secretary of the Navy, upon the 
 breaking up of w^hich he resigned wdth the other 
 members of the Cabinet. 
 
 Almost ever since that period he has enjoyed 
 (if its tenure can be so characterised) a seat in the 
 Senate. 
 
 His numerous duties, however, have not alien- 
 ated him from pursuits less vigorous and more in- 
 viting. The records of our national literature bear 
 favorable testimony to his acquirements, his indus- 
 try and his taste. 
 4* 
 
i 
 
 42^ 
 
 To the man In business and public Tife whose- 
 paths of political journeying are thick with thorns-—* 1 
 
 who must constantly encounter the bitterness of, 
 partizan warfare— letters must indeed be relief and 
 a luxury. 
 
 Mr. Southard is frequently engaged in the Su-~ 
 preme Court of the United States, the bar of which, 
 hold in high estimation his excellent qualities as ^a 
 man and a lawyer. 
 
4.r 
 
 GARRET D. WALL. 
 
 or NEW JERSEY. 
 
 We have already given the reader a short ac-'- 
 oount of a distinguished Senator from the State of 
 New Jersey; we think his colleague also entitled to 
 a place amongst the conspicuous. Mr. Garret D. . 
 Wall represents the party in his State opposed 
 to that which delights to honor Mr. Southard. As 
 an orator, in manner, Mr. Wall may not compare 
 with his colleague. His method of delivery super-- 
 adds nothing to the innate interest and effect be- 
 longing to what he utters. In person he is com- 
 pactly and rather heavily constructed. He usual- 
 ly wears a frock coat — gray, with standing collar, 
 and of staid appearance. This gives him an. 
 aspect rather military. His countenance betokens- 
 intelligence — his features not particularly marked— 
 his eyes are blue, his hair abundant. Mr. Wall 
 is one of those, who constitute a large class in our 
 country, who, in the ancient divisions of party,, 
 were Federalists, but now claim to be Democrats.. 
 The incidents of the late war produced many such 
 converts. The opposition to that great measure 
 of policy was certainly, on the part of many, of. 
 such a nature, that co-operation with them, could 
 not be justified even under the somewhat ambig- 
 uous morality of severe party discipline. The 
 
u 
 
 seceders, however, like converts in every things 
 have, perhaps, become as entirely and fully 
 Democratic — it may be more so than the ancient, 
 unaltered, and unchangeable champions of the 
 cause. Be that as it may, Mr. Wall enjoys in 
 a high degree, the confidence of those, of feeling 
 and action, kindred to his own. He possesses a 
 mind certainly of a very high order, and evinces 
 great acquirements and cultivation. 
 
 He reasons well ; his efforts are enlivened and 
 adorned with classical allusions, and his embel- 
 lishments, although frequent, and from various 
 sources, are regulated by a sound and judicious 
 taste. He possesses in a very eminent degree, 
 fine humor, a lively wit, and a temper kind, and 
 •inducing him careful!}? to exclude from his sallies, 
 whatever would render them fairly objectionable 
 to his opponents, or unpleasant in debate. A 
 considerable resemblance in some departments of 
 mind may be traced between Mr. Wall and 
 Mr. Crittenden, of Kentucky, of whom we have 
 already spoken. Their complexion of intellect, 
 so to speak, is considerably alike ; beyond this, 
 however, much similitude cannot be traced. It is 
 astonishing how much the fame of the orator 
 depends upon those accomplishments, which are 
 merely physical. Fire and impetuosity en- 
 chain the attention, whilst a speaker, slow and 
 frigid, clothing the most profound wisdom with 
 
45 
 
 the choicest diction, the most splendid illustrationr 
 and the quick and beauteous productions of luxu- 
 riant imagination, is heard with indifference, or not 
 heard at all. This truth should be remembered in 
 the schools, and the arts of elocution should be 
 particularly cultivated by all whose future pros- 
 pects, or the nature of whose profession, may ren- 
 der it necessary or proper for them to appear as 
 speakers before the public. The Senators from 
 New Jersey, owing to their dissonance in political 
 sentiment, have frequently been placed in attitudes 
 of collision to each other. The question of the ri2:ht 
 of instruction, has been a frequent topic between 
 them, calling forth from both, strictures upon the 
 political opinions and conduct of his adversary. 
 
 Upon one of those occasions Mr. Wall, in reply 
 to Mr. Southard, remarked, as we quote below. 
 We insert his observations, with which we con- 
 clude this notice, as a sample of his style, and also 
 as explaining the views and opinions, actuating a 
 number of others, occupying a like position : 
 
 " My colleague, with some scorn, speaks of modern De- 
 mocracy, and says that he went to bed one night a Demo- 
 crat, and rose the next morning a Federalist. &ir, i£ sucb 
 a metamorphose took place his Democracy must have beea 
 composed of 'such stuff as dreams are made of — 'lika 
 ihadows it came, and like shadows tt departed.' My Demo- 
 cracy, however modern it may be, neither came so sudden- 
 ly, nor will it I hope be so evanescent. I admit that my 
 Bemocracy is a plant of slow growth ; it neitbjer came uj. 
 
46 
 
 in the night, nor will it be found withered in the morning;. 
 It resulted from reflection, experience, and the conquest 
 over error and prejudices ; and I hope that like all plants 
 of slow growth, it will be the more endTuring. I have no 
 pretensions to that ?/ndzous Democracy which arises from 
 hereditary descent. I cannot boast that ' I was born in 
 the purple.' Hereditary Democracy savors rather of Ar- 
 istocracy, and like hereditary property, is apt to be dissipa- 
 ted. Unfortunately for me, my father died before the for- 
 mation of parties in this countiy, but he bequeathed to me 
 his Revolutionary feelings and example, his only inheri- 
 tance. Mr. President, I do not boast of my consistency. 
 Since I attained the age of twenty-one, I acknowledge 
 that I have changed my opinion upon many subjects, legal, 
 political, religious, moral, philosophical, and as to men ; and 
 if my life is spared, and the possession of my faculties is 
 vouchsafed to me, I do not doubt but I may still change. 
 But, sir, in pure love of my country, and its institutions, 
 in devotion to what my judgment tells me w^ill best promote 
 its interests, in the love and pursuit of truth, and the at- 
 tainment of honorable ends by honorable means, I am not 
 conscious of any change. 
 
 " Whatever my Democracy or my Federalism may have 
 feeen, it is now drawn from the principles of our Revolu- 
 tion, and of our Republican institutions, and an adherance 
 to that mode of administering the Government which will 
 produce the greatest good to the greatest number. I draw 
 my Democratic principles from Washington's farewell ad- 
 dress, from the doctrine of equal rights and equal privile- 
 ges, and the protection of those rights and privileges, and 
 all other privileges sanctioned by the Coastital3on, by law.. 
 Finally, sir, I believe in a strict construction of the Consti- 
 tution, but such a construction as will develope and call iiv 
 
47 
 
 to action, all its express and implied powers for the bene- 
 ficent purposes of its adoption. 
 
 " Now, sir, whether this Democracy is from the fichoc^ of 
 Federalism or Republicanism, of Washington or Jefferson, 
 1 shall not inquire. It is my Democracy," 
 
48 
 
 TSILAS WRIGHT, 
 
 OF NEW YORK. 
 
 Midst all tlie " potent, grave and reverend seig- 
 Tiors" who represent the dignity and the honor of 
 the sovereign States of this Confederacy, to none be- 
 longs a physiognomy, more betokening peace with- 
 in and kindness towards all, than does that of the 
 Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means. 
 
 When the spectator from the gallery asks for 
 Mr. Wright, of New York, he is pointed to a 
 gentleman of limited altitude, of an exterior, plain 
 in the extreme, to a countenance rosy as the hues 
 of the departing sunset, lighted up with the ready 
 smile, which at once conciliates the good opinion 
 of the beholder. 
 
 And yet this gentleman, so unassuming — with a 
 ■head remarkable for its rotundity and s^-arseness of 
 hair — with a voice squeaking, puerile and harsh, is 
 nevertheless, considered, and very justly, as one 
 of the most respectable and lucid debaters upon tli« 
 floor where he sits. 
 
 The genius of Mr. Wright is not of the brilliant 
 kind. He is prompt in reply, but very plain and 
 business-like — not aspiring to be fanciful, nor ever 
 guilty, by accident or design, of a joke. 
 
 Mr. Wright may be relied on for steadiness, 
 safety and strength. He still sustains the Admin- 
 istration, of which he is a prominent support. W« 
 
49 
 
 Trequently find the rc^.rcsentativ€ Impregnated with 
 'the character of the community which he repre- 
 sents, and thus we find in Mr. Wmght, a stj-le 
 -devoid of ornament, abounding in sober sense and 
 strong reasoning, wiiich we may readily believe to 
 be popular amidst a constituency — persevering- 
 laborious — whose time is spent at the plough tail, or 
 in the work-shop, in hard, driving, restless industry. 
 His colleague, from the city, seems, from a like 
 cause, rather ambitious of smooth phrases and pretty 
 figures, and will occasionally invoke the numbers 
 ■of Parnassus, in aid of those of the counting-room, 
 it is strange that a fine poetic quotation should be 
 in good taste amidst the dry details, arithmetic and 
 talculationsof a speech upon a mercantile topic — 
 yet what more dissimilar than the stiff and stately 
 Tcolumn of marble and the lithe creeping, and ver- 
 "dant vine — but how sweetly they combine their 
 beauties, the modest verdure and variety of nature 
 -giving, as nothing else can give, freshness and ef- 
 ■fect to the monuments of art. 
 
 In manner Mr. Wright is by no means remark- 
 "able — his enunciation is distinct, his action easy, 
 and unstudied. He is seldom warmed even to the 
 point of energy. His language bears none of the 
 variety and graces of philological taste and re- 
 search. His understanding is remarkably clear. 
 'He is generally master of his subject, and his idea.^ 
 find an appropriate conveyance in terms suited to 
 'the apprehension of all who hear him. The Oppo- 
 5 
 
60 
 
 f ition consider him as th e chosen vehicle of the 
 views and sentiments of the Government. His 
 position is, therefore, one of peculiar delicacy — re- 
 quiring coolness, address, and that consummate tact, 
 which no one possesses more eminently than him- 
 self. He is frequently involved in the controversies 
 of debate, always acquitting himself with zeal and 
 ability — ever preserving his accustomed tone of 
 steady deliberation. 
 
 During his Senatorial career, he has continually 
 studied, and managed, to avoid giving, or being ex- 
 posed to take, personal offence. He bears with 
 philosophic composure the wordy wrath of his op- 
 ponents. 
 
 He sits unmoved, cold as the ocean rock, whilst 
 the storm of angry debate rages around him — 
 its foam and violence, Avasting itself away Avith- 
 out effect against the sides of his calm impertur- 
 bability. 
 
 His conspicuous position as chairman, or member, 
 of various committees of importance, compels him 
 to labor, as well as to argue and to listen. 
 
 His numerous reports, many of them upon topics 
 of the utmost interest, do great credit to his busi- 
 ness capacities, and invariably bear the same char- 
 acteristics, of strong reasoning, and well considered 
 caution in expression, to which we have before 
 alluded, as descriptive of his style and manner in 
 debate. 
 
61 
 
 The reader may be struck with the great variety 
 of character, and amount of intelligence, to be found 
 in a body as limited in number as that of the Senate 
 of the United States. 
 
 It presents indeed a subject of pleasing contem- 
 plation. To this great theatre, mind sends its tribute 
 from every portion of our vast Republic ; from the 
 snow-covered North, from the temperate regions of 
 the middle States ; from the land of the cotton, 
 the sugar-cane and orange. 
 
 Sections of the country — in geographical posi- 
 tion the farthest removed from each other — are 
 there taught to respect that genius common to all — 
 not the product of soil or place — but the lux- 
 uriant growth, every where, of our free and happy 
 institutions. 
 
 Let the lesson, which this consideration incul- 
 cates, sink deep into the hearts of all, and persuade 
 us, that nothing sectional can be patriotic or Amer- 
 ican — that we have a common fame in the great 
 men of the whole country, and have a general, 
 inalienable, and inseparable interestj in her glory 
 and prosperity. 
 
59 
 
 JOHN J. CRITTENDEN, 
 
 OF KENTUCKY. 
 
 Kentucky, like South Carolina and New Jerseys- 
 shines, in the Senate^with all the brightness of com- 
 manding intellectual greatness. Both her repre- 
 sentatives are entitled to be numbered with the 
 most gifted. The eloquence of Mr. Crittenden 
 is entirely different from that of his colleague Mr. 
 Clay. In his appearance there is nothing very 
 peculiar — his bearing is dignified — ^liis m.anners 
 easy, polished and elegant — bis size medium — his 
 hair touched by the silvery fingers of time, which, 
 has spared him in every other respect. His man- 
 ner is pleasing and placid — without fire — without 
 fervor, but with animation enough to impart effect 
 to language^ requiring but little aid to give it the 
 deepest interest with the hearer.. When he rises 
 you will not think of departing until you have 
 heard him out ^ as he approaches his conclusion 
 your regret at his brevity increases. You may be 
 certain that he will not abuse your paiience.. Mr.- 
 Crittenden is an earnest coadjutor of Mr.. Clay, 
 espousing the same views and policy. He could 
 hardly be located in a position better calculated for 
 Ihe exercise and display of the talents which he 
 possesses, than the one he occupies. It is difficult 
 \d depict as many characters as I have undertakea 
 tO' represent — all actio^; on the same tbealce — ^wiiL- 
 
5a 
 
 out being guilty of occasionally a lack of due ia- 
 dividuality. 
 
 John Randolph called Mr. Trumbull's paintings 
 of the sio-ners of the Declaration of Independence 
 a shin piece. I hope that I may escape a kindred 
 charge of presenting a monotonous array, in my at- 
 tempts to delineate a group of calm and sedentary 
 legislator?. 
 
 I think that I am in no danger of failing to ex- 
 hibit the individuahty, amongst his eminent com- 
 peers, of the distinguished Kentuckian. 
 
 The feelings of Mr. Crittenden are of an ele- 
 vated and lofty character — his taste is cultivated 
 and severe — his mind logical, refining, given to 
 criticism, abounding in the most chaste and delicate 
 wit, with a power of sarcasm — not stern — severe and 
 unmerciful enough to be called invective — rarely to 
 be met with. Clay may be likened to Moreau — 
 dashing, impetuous — in the thickest of the fight 
 hewing down with the sabre — exposed to blows, 
 and dealing them around with liberality. Calhoun 
 is the artful general, skilled in strategic, planning 
 with consummate skill, and master of resources. 
 Crittenden is the light lancer, mounted for rapid, 
 efficient movement — like those horsemen of Csesar 
 who conquered the dandies, whom Pompey sent 
 against them, by scarring their painted cheeks and 
 destroying their beauty. 
 
 Mr. Ctittenden is an able and active Senator> 
 and participates frequently in debate. 
 5^ 
 
56 
 
 news reaching Lancaster of the intended and 
 threatened attack, by the British, upon Baltimore, 
 (rendered memorable by the gallantry with which 
 they were repulsed,) he addressed his fellow-citi- 
 zens assembled at the court house, upon the occa- 
 sion, with great eloquence and effect, and became 
 largely instrumental in organizing on the spot a 
 volunteer company, which was immediately armed 
 and equipped, and marched to the scene of action — 
 enrolling himself in its numbers as a private — 
 bearing his musket and his knapsack. 
 
 At the time of the memorable election of John 
 Q. Adams to the Presidency of the United Slates 
 by the House of Representatives, he was a member 
 of that body. This measure received his hearty 
 disapproval and warm denunciation. Immediately 
 he earnestly espoused the cause of Andrew Jack- 
 son. Thereafter, the Democratic party, in his old 
 district, adopted him as their candidate, and again 
 he was returned to the National Legislature. 
 Thenceforth his adherence to this party has been 
 uniform and unwavering. Its confidence has never 
 forsaken him. 
 
 Upon the return of that singular, but brilliant 
 and distinguished character, John Randolph, from 
 the Court of St. Petersburg, Mr. Buchanan was 
 appointed by General Jackson to succeed him^ 
 where he remained three years. After negotiating 
 a very important treaty, he returned to bis native 
 land. «*,ill X 
 
67 
 
 Whilst in the House of Representatives, he wa* 
 ft prominent and efficient member of the com- 
 mittee appointed to prefer charges of impeach- 
 ment, and to sustain them, before the Senate of 
 the United States, against Judge Peck, of Missouri.- 
 These charges failed, not receiving the sanction 
 (as required by the Constitution) of the votes of 
 two-thirds of the body, before which they were pre- 
 ferred. His speech, however, upon the occasion, 
 was considered highly able an-d creditable. 
 
 Shortly after his return from Russia, he was 
 elected by th^ Legislature of Pennsylvania to serve 
 out the unexpired term of Judge Wilkins in the 
 United States' Senate. To the same post he was 
 elected, to serve six years from the fourth day of 
 March, 1S37. 
 
 Such is a brief and imperfect narrative of some 
 of the principal incidents in the life of the Hon. 
 Senator from Pennsylvania. 
 
 In his Senatorial career Mr. Buchanan seems 
 not ambitious of frequent obtrusion upon the 
 notice of the public. When, however, he has been 
 called upon to join in debate, his efforts have com- 
 manded respect ; not so much from his manner, as 
 from the soundness of his views and his known 
 ability. In person he is largely above the com- 
 mon size — of heavy frame — awkward in his mo- 
 tions, with a voice peculiar and unpleasing. He 
 if one of the few, who, in the unenvied condition 
 oC bachelorship, has attained to distiaction in ths: 
 
58 
 
 national councils. Mr. Bucahnan possesses great 
 influence in his State. His mind is of a plain cast. 
 He aims at nothing merely ornamental. He is 
 fluent; in utterance easy, in language accurate. 
 His habits are of strict laboiious attention to the 
 duties of his station. Accuracy of tliouglit, strength 
 of reasoning, and steady devotion to his principles 
 and his party, are among his characteristics. As a 
 lawyer, a statesman, and business character, he ib 
 rated as highly eminent. In private life (notwith- 
 standing the late period to which he has arrived 
 in a condition of single blessedness) he is described 
 as warm-hearted, friendly and am.iable in the ex- 
 treme. 
 
 Rich in the confidence of his native State — pros- 
 pering, influential, and populous — with talents, ex- 
 perience and acquirements to justif}^ and render 
 availing, the favors which she may be wilHng to 
 bestow, the road to the highest honors and emolu- 
 ments, is broad and open to his ambition. 
 
^ 
 
 NATHANIEL P. TALLMADGE. 
 
 Mr. Tallmadge has lately assumed a positioa 
 which renders him an object of particular notice. 
 His departure from the course of action now pur- 
 sued by his former associates, has given him new 
 friends, and turned into bitter animosity the kindly 
 feelings, towards him, of the party to which he for- 
 merly belonged. His peculiar situation, together 
 with the undoubted talents "which he possesses, 
 give to his name and character more than ordinary 
 interest. In physical construction and appearance 
 he presents nothing remarkable. His face is well 
 formed, expressive of intelligence ; as a debater he 
 is ready and energetic^. His manner is pleasing, oc- 
 casionally warm and interestins;. In his native 
 State his talents have not been unappreciated. 
 Like mostof our prominent legislators, his profession 
 is that of the law. He has undergone long proba- 
 tion in the Legislature of New York, having served 
 for many years as a State Senator, and in various 
 other places of trust and importance. His first 
 term of six years in the Senate of the United 
 States, will expire with the next Congressional 
 session. In the national politics, his views upon 
 the present question of finance, are identical with 
 those of Mr. Rives, of Virginia — Conservative. 
 Up to the period of the introduction of that measure 
 •of the present Administration — which of late has 
 
been the subject of 8o much praise, so much cen» 
 sure, and so much notoriety — the sub-Treagury 
 scheme — he upheld the principles and conduct of 
 )the m^n now in power, and was identified with 
 •their fortunes for weal or for wo. During the Pres- 
 idency of General Jackson, he belonged to the 
 party sustainmg him, and calling themselves the 
 'Democracy. The natural tendency of his course, 
 iatterly, as well as that ofthe General Government, is 
 to separate him still farther and farther from his late 
 ■political associates, and perhaps it may be hazarded, 
 without much temeritv, to drive him into absolute 
 and unqualified opposition. In the heat and vio- 
 lence of party times, and party action, there is, 
 there can be, no neutrality. For the politician — at 
 least in this country — there is no ^^ medmm iutissi' 
 
 Mr. Tallmadge deserves an eminent place in 
 the distinguished body to which he belongs. His 
 style is lucid and classical — he reasons with force 
 tmd nervous energy. His language is copious — his 
 powers of illustration always apparent. His speeches 
 are frequently interspersed Avilh poetic allusions, 
 which appear — not like awkward strangers — but 
 fitting with ease the context into which they are in- 
 troduced, and the subject matter to which they are 
 •applied. This is a legitimate exercise of the credit- 
 system in letters. Scholarship and literary attain- 
 ment are evident in every thing that escape him. It 
 btM of4en beea remarked, and the trutij of lh« 
 
61 
 
 remark remains unquestioned, that the more re- 
 cent the convert, the greater the zeal. Hence we 
 find, that the Conservatives exceed in the warmth 
 of their opposition even the Whigs themselves. 
 This is natural ; we always hate with the more bit- 
 terness those to whom we once have occupied the 
 relation of friendship. The Conservatives, from 
 this cau:=e, have been the object of revilement and 
 vituperation, from their ancient party friends and 
 associates. This, of course, leads to retaliation. 
 Hence the alienation of feeling becomes greater 
 than ever could have existed between those stand- 
 ing originally in an attitude of undisguised hos- 
 tility. As a specimen of the style of Mr. Tall- 
 MADGE, and as illustrating what I have just ad- 
 vanced, the following extract from his speech in 
 the Senate, Saturday, June 31), 1S38, entitled 
 "against the enlargement of Executive power," 
 may not be inappropriate : 
 
 "And yet the experimenters have triumphed ! and the Sen- 
 ator from North Carolina mourns over the loss of those De- 
 viocraiic measures, whose success would have extinguished 
 the last ray of hop3, and driven the mercantile and business 
 community to utter despair. God deliver me from such 
 Democracy. A Democracy which concentrates all power 
 in the hands of one man — a Democracy which subjects the 
 opinions and actions of party followers to his will, and to 
 his will alone — a Democracy which makes the great and 
 paramount interests of the country subservient to the low 
 and grovelling pursuits of party — a Democracy which per- 
 mits no action on any question, however urgent the neces- 
 sity may be, without orders from head-quarters — a Demo- 
 
 6 
 
62 
 
 cracy that appeals to the passions and prejudices of th« 
 people, instead of enlightening their judgments and relying 
 upon their reason and their patriotism — a Democracy which 
 attempts to set up one class of the cou.uiunity against the 
 other, as if their interests were not reciprocal and identical — 
 a Democracy which denies to every man the right to 
 think and act for himself on thos- great questions in w hich 
 the vital interests of the country are so deeply involved — a 
 Democracy w'hich attempts, by party drill and party discip- 
 line, to subvert the veiy spirit of the Constitution, to sub- 
 stitute Executive for Legislative power, to subject the will 
 of the Representatives to the will of the I'xecutive, to 
 compel him to act contrary to his own o})inions, against his 
 own judgment, in violation of his own conscience, and in 
 open defiance of the expressed will and wishes of his con- 
 stituents — a Democracy which extends its influence from 
 the seat of the General Government to the respective States, 
 which swallows up the reserved rights of the States in the 
 consolidation of the central pow cr ; — a Democracy, in short, 
 which establishes in the heart of the country the most per* 
 feet despotism under the delusive forms of free institutions. 
 "Yes, Mr. President, such is the Democracy of this Fede- 
 ral Administraton — an Administration that has adopted 
 the ultra federalism of "the reign of ff iTor," and now char- 
 ges upon its former friends the sins of its own commission. 
 Sir, the people of the United States cannot be deceived by 
 these vain and hollow pretences.", 
 
 A spirited and warm denunciation, in sooth, of 
 what the Hon. Senator deems to be the self-styled 
 " Democracy." Thus do we find portrayed, the 
 party and the principles in which Mr. Tallmadge 
 had been hitherto educated, " after the straightest 
 manner of their sect" — whilst, during the same 
 Congress, we find the same precepts the subject of 
 
63 
 
 apology and defence upon the same floor, by one 
 from " his youth upwards" to a late period, a mem- 
 ber of the political school directly opposite. To 
 fiuch variety of discordant incident is the career 
 of the politician subject. The fate of Mr. Tall- 
 MADGE and of Conservatism must become insep- 
 erably united. Tiie reader is now possessed of the 
 very imperfect delineation, which the materials in 
 our possession have enabled us to make of this 
 prominent and distinguished individual. The great 
 State of New York, in perhaps the most important 
 branch of the National Legislature, stands the victim 
 of divided councils. Both her representatives, 
 however different their attainments, their tastes, 
 their sentiments, and their powers, by the measure 
 of their intellectual capacity, do honor to the great 
 State, whose interests are entrusted to their chaigs. 
 The political destiny of either — identified with 
 that of the widely separated parties to which ho 
 belongs — only the futqre can determine, 
 
64 
 
 WILLIAM C. RIVES. 
 
 Whatever may be thought of Mr. Rives as &> 
 politician, this can be said of him as a man, that 
 he enjoys a reputation, in every respect, enviable. 
 His private life is deformed by none of that gross 
 immorality which is so frequently conspicuous in 
 the lives of those who attain to eminence — the par- 
 asite plant, which seems to delight to wreath its 
 leaves of poison around the richly chiselled capi- 
 tals of the tallest columns. In private lite no man 
 can be more amiable or moral. It becomes now 
 my purpose to indeavor to convey to the reader 
 some impression of his outward appearance, and 
 also to assign him a place beside hiscotemporaries, 
 among the intellectual portraits, which I have es- 
 sayed, however feebly, to delineate. 
 
 The political attitude of Mr. Rives is very well 
 understood. He belongs to a small band — the 
 Conservatives. It may be generally observed, that 
 every Conservative was once a Democrat — and the 
 Conservative will say that so he remains. The 
 Conservative claims to belong to the party admin- 
 istering the Government. He is vituperated "by 
 authority," and cheered by the Whig. The 
 leading Conservatives cannot maintain their as- 
 sumed position. Denounced by their former 
 friends — excluded from their counsel and confi- 
 dence — courted by their opponents — every inflvi- 
 
65 
 
 ence combsnos to drive them into unqualified op- 
 position. Perhaps, however, these remarks may 
 be construed into a meaning, vvhicli they are not 
 intended to express. We will return to the subject 
 of our attention. 
 
 Mr. Rives is by birth a Virginian, and was, . 
 from an early age, a personal favorite of Mr. Jeffer- 
 6on. 
 
 In size he is remarkably diminutive — his ap- 
 pearance from the galleries youthful and boyish. 
 His face is regular, his countenance inteUigent — 
 rather severely sedate and thoughtful. Like most 
 gentlemen of inferior altitude, he pays considerable 
 attention to dress. His manner is pleasing and 
 easy, evincing great suavity. His order of mind 
 is of the highest cast. In every sense of the term, 
 he deserves to be called a scholar, a statesman and 
 a gentleman. His style of elocution is good, but 
 he lacks the form, voice, and action, to make an 
 orator of distinction. He is classical, energetic, 
 capable of able argument, and fully competent to 
 fill a conspicuous place in the Senate of our coun- 
 try. 
 
 Mr. Rives has been for several years in the 
 public service* He was distinguished for his gen- 
 eral talents and powers of debate during the period 
 of his service in the House of Representatives. 
 
 He has also enjoyed the honor of representing 
 the United States at Paris. 
 
 Upon his return from France Mr. Rives was- 
 
 elected to the United States Senate. 
 6* 
 
ee 
 
 -T^JDJVI-A^ ALLEN, 
 
 OF OHIO. 
 
 I have had the pleasure, occasionally, to hear the 
 gentleman whose name heads these remarks. He 
 is a prominent and promising individual. In per- 
 sonal appearance JMr. Allen is not unlike Mr. 
 Clav. He is the voun2:est member in the Senate. 
 His countenance is pleasant, his features acute, his 
 manner of delivery earnest and animated. Hia 
 views are of iiic uilra-Bem.ocratic cast, w hich are 
 urged in a style suiting the n^allcr. With expe- 
 rience and study, he possesses the mateiiai to render 
 himself eminent. He is said to be very popular 
 in the West, and one would think isim calculated 
 to become so. His declamation, allliough striking 
 and effective, is perhaps too noisy and vejbose for 
 the sedate and grave wisdom of assembled Sena- 
 tors. Time, however, may cool the warmth which 
 he now displays, and a better taste, under the 
 guidance of the clear good sense which he evin- 
 ces, uill no doubt eradicate the errors of too jrreat 
 diffusiveness and too abundant ornament, and purge 
 his style of the defects which now belong to it. 
 The task of pruning is one most important to the 
 speaker, or the writer, who has good cauiS, to bear 
 m mind the sensible declaration of one of the most 
 popular of modern writers, who, being asked why 
 one of his productions was too long, replied, that 
 ho had not time to shorten it. 
 
 RD- 
 
 
 t 
 
67 
 
 The stjle of Mr. Allen is characteriaed by 
 great boldness in his positions — his figures are nu- 
 merous and frequently defective. 
 
 He has, however, a straight-forward and efficient 
 manner of enunciation, and a great command of 
 words. Altogether he gives indication of a mind, of 
 grasp far more than ordinary^ and (with defects 
 certainly glaring enough) possesses talents of a 
 striking kind. He is a highly respectable declaimer. 
 

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