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hold rank as a liberal profession, and exert a just influence upon the multifarious interests of society. Nor are the sweeping allegations of indecorum, venality and violence brought against the press in any sense just. That it sometimes offends propriety, decency and candor, is unhappily too true, but it reflects in all things the character of the country; and while the ignorant, the prejudiced, the malevolent and the vulgar cannot be deprived of its it weapons, never withholds its resistless influence from truth, wisdom, justice and virtue. Every improvement of the public morals, and every advance of the people in knowledge, is marked by a corresponding elevation of the moral and intellectual standard of the press; and it is at once the chief agent of intellectual improvement, and the Palladium of civil and religious Liberty."

THE HONOURABLE WILLIAM H. HAYWOOD,

LATE SENATOR FOR NORTH CAROLINA, and CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE OF COMMERCE IN THE SENATE.

MR. HAYWOOD is a man of great elegance. His deportment and address are very distinguished, and he is perfect in all the recognised conventionalisms of polished life. No one understands better how to render social intercourse agreeable; he encourages amusement, enjoys conversation, both grave and gay, and his compliments are always gratifying, for they are in good taste, and never exceed the " modesty of nature. He speaks excellent English, his enunciation is fluent, the liquids being fully articulated, and he possesses one of those musical voices so usually heard in southern climates. I have observed that the vibration of the letter S is somewhat more audible

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and prolonged in the dialect of the Southern States of America than it is either in England or in the other sections of the Union. Without knowing that such is the fact, I should imagine Mr. Haywood to be descended from the blood of the cavaliers; his handsome features, his scrupulous attention to dress, and especially the natural (perhaps somewhat negligent) though graceful ease of his manners, combined with his chivalrous devotion to the fair sex, and success in the drawing room, all remind me of the descriptions we read of those high bred spirits. I quote Mr. Haywood, therefore, as an admirable specimen, among many, of that Chesterfield refinement and tact which are so frequently supposed by Europeans to have as yet no existence in America. This prejudice is directed in a more especial manner against the popular party, and I am proud to controvert it by adding that the Senator from North Carolina is not only an accomplished gentleman, but that he is also an excellent and true hearted Democrat.

This Senator was highly esteemed for his atten

tion to public business, and for singular industry in the discharge of its duties. He possesses many attainments, and is a scholar of taste and discrimination.

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The conduct of Mr. Haywood on the Free Trade question is highly honourable to him, exhibiting alike a conscientious respect for the opinions of his constituents, and an independent assertion of his personal irresponsibility as member of the Legislature. "He was elected to the Senate at the close of the year 1842," says the National Intelligencer, "when the disagreements between the actual President and the Whig party having for the time distracted and disheartened the Whigs of North Carolina, the Democratic party obtained a casual majority in the Legislature of the State. The political power of that State is now in the hands of the Whigs, and Mr. Haywood, had he voted for the new Tariff bill, would have voted against the known sentiments of his State. Had he, on the other hand, voted against it, in order to conform to that sentiment, he would have voted, if not against his own opinion, against

the prevailing opinion of his party. He resigned his seat, rather than violate his conscience on the one hand, or his obligations on the other."

Again: Mr. Webster remarks, in his speech on the 27th July, 1846:

"I infer that the honourable member left his seat here from an inability to support the measure of the administration now before us, and from a great unwillingness to disoblige his party, friends and connections by voting against it."

When the Tariff bill first came to the Senate, Mr. Haywood told Colonel Benton that he was opposed to it, and could not vote for it, unless it could be postponed and rendered perfect.

Much as I grieved over one seceder from the side of the noble Calhoun, I cannot refuse my approbation to Haywood.

Mr. Haywood's speech on the Oregon question produced an immense sensation, for he was regarded as the intimate personal friend of the President. I have always been of opinion that the President and the Secretary of State pursued the only wise and prudent course left to their choice.

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