DEATH OF JOHN FORSYTH.
Like Mr. Crawford, he was a Virginian by birth Georgian by
citizenship, republican in politics, and eminent in his day. He
ran the career of federal honors--a member of the House and of
the Senate, and a front rank debater in each: minister in Spain,
and Secretary of State under Presidents Jackson and Van Buren;
successor to Crawford in his State, and the federal councils; and
the fast political and personal friend of that eminent citizen in
all the trials and fortunes of his life. A member of the House
when Mr. Crawford, restrained by his office, and disabled by his
calamity, was unable to do any thing for himself, and assailed by
the impersonation of the execrable A. B. plot, it devolved upon him
to stand up for his friend; and nobly did he do it. The examination
through which he led the accuser exterminated him in public
opinion--showed every accusation to be false and malicious; detected
the master spirit which lay behind the ostensible assailants, and
greatly exalted the character of Mr. Crawford.
Mr. Forsyth was a fine specimen of that kind of speaking which
constitutes a debater, and which, in fact, is the effective speaking
in legislative assemblies. He combined the requisites for keen
debate--a ready, copious, and easy elocution; ample knowledge of
the subject; argument and wit; great power to point a sarcasm, and
to sting courteously; perfect self-possession, and a quickness and
clearness of perception to take advantage of every misstep of his
adversary. He served in trying times, during the great contests with
the Bank of the United States, with the heresy of nullification, and
the dawning commencement of the slavery agitation. In social life
he was a high exemplification of refined and courteous manners, of
polite conversation, and of affability, decorum and dignity.