Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1837-07-04
MIISGELIANT
AMERICAN HISTORY.

IN The cour,c Of some "reminiscences &c The iic ol
the Hon. William II Crawford. of Georgia, has
furnished tho following graphic history ofibe win
ter " 1894 , at Washington Bndtho exciting poll
itcnl events of that period. lie WAS rauizap. aud
n devoted tne Of Mr. Crawford but he docs 10
Injustice 10 his distinguished competitor. uniting
tie dignity Of sisfcstnau wtlh the courtesy Of a
gentleman. We could wish that papers If this
cast were mute frequently to ho met With IN our
higher periodicals.
soon after the Welt OF l.shycttc. Mr. Cnwf,rd
and his family returned TO The Metropolis. HE
Health. though much improved, was stl too feeble
to allow Of his going to The Office TO transact bn-
sincss. which, however, he attended TO ut homc.
During hs leisure hours, chess became his favor
tie ampscmrn, tit might be- said ms occupation.
when released from public duty. Winter came aud
Congress came. by this limo it was usccrioincd
that the election Of President would dcvnve on tho
House Of Representatives. What state Of cY.
element was thus produced in that body where
encb Of the candidates had their pnriznns and
friends. Bot mine rs not the pen TO speak polite
al characters or evenis-a difficult aud ubgraiclul
task for any one determined To speak nothing but
the truth. From the collisions the trcnchery, The
bascness aud intrigucs Of political parties. how
pleasing to turn TO the cheerful tranquility of domcs
tic life. Mr. Crawford was now seldom alone
Members of Congress, senators, citizens and strnn-
gers daily throngod ms house for, notwiths,0n-
ding the widespread rumors Of his ncapaciy for
Office, 1t was still hoped by his party that the con-
ties, would be decided in his favor and curiosity
self-ueresi, and friendship continued to draw mum
bers round him. II he felt anxiety on the subject
he did not exhibit any. Ills family were always
with him, and that sufficient TO make him hap
pay, let public matters be VIVA, they might. OF an
% silo yn pxf I'm FIR
! game of whist, entertaining book read aloud
by one of his children. He took little interest in
| the public journals, which were filled with person.
al abuse and party viruence. Instead of amusing,
The nc Sspapers irriiated him, and he threw them
aside unread, muttcring, "a parcel of fnlsehoods-
not one to be depended on.,' On the whole, this
must have been pleasant winter for MIR Crawford.
lie never went from home--yet was never alone.
| Far less sanguDe in his expectations than his
friends he suffered but little from suspense the mos,
difficult of all states Of mind 10 endure aud 10
Judge by his conversation his thoughts more
! occupied by planning what he would do on his re-
| turn home, Than schcning measures when he shod
| be President.
Some Of his political friends we're extremely mr.
gent that Mrs Crawford should give large eve
ming party, that Mr. Crawford might be seen by the
numerous strangers who were thronging TO the
clty-by his political opponents. and such persons
as were not admitted into his private intercourse.
These friends urged the iaselouds in circulation
concerning his heal;h--ihat many aveued him Ia
be blind-others that lie was deaf--ihat he was
speechess. But they urgeo IN vain. The alice
tionaie wife could not be seduccd by AMBITION
Tranquility she knew TO be essential to his health
Amy strong excitement would be prejudicial ant
might be fatal. The glare Of light would hurt hi.
eyes. No, she would far rather he would never
be President. than run any such risk.
The seIishness of the proposal shocked her: '
Is Their own interests they desire to PROMOTE" sait
she the Offices they expect, which makes then
so anxious 10 have you chosen aud for this they
would even risk your life" The evening party
; was relinquished.
Since the seat of government was fixed al Wash
ington and the republican party gained The asccn
daDcy, never had private society been effected
by political considerations as during this eventeu
winter. Each Of The five candidates had warm ant
jealous friends among The citizens they them
selves were considered as citizens and by mntu
al exchange of clvilitIes and kiudnesses were bar
monousy united in The social circle. But The nv,
separate interests split the society Of the Meifop
oils into as many hostile parties. For the time
confidence was destrored-ffeed of converse
ton neutrality-suspicious., suspicious. engry sn,
embiitered feelings exe,ed--and party spirit car
as 10 regulate the common ylsliations and oivili
! ties between the families of The candidates an,
; their friends. So nicely the different parlie
balanced, that incidents and persons al other time
!, insignificant grew into importance, and "iule
+. light air swsyed public opinion, and as il va
e supposed might ultimately determine the issue. $50
The Intimate. nay. the casual yiscrs at the hous
of these competitors for the Presidency wen
known to each other. and where they had weigh
2 or influence became objects Of jes ousy and sospi
cl"n Thee gent ehen were sell aware II In
system Of espionage that existed, that pFecsutiou
e sefe taken OF a similar kind es hose that nfc ne
} cessary Tor an army rncanpcd N an enemy's conn
r Try. Sentinels were placed and doors we're guar
b d ID. One gentleman knoAing iha, smes wen
b nightly placed opposite hls front door, ,eceyed L
[, friends through back passsge They came a
} midnight apd departed before daylight. Thcs
night Visits were pretty general; on one occasion
friend If Mr. Cswf1rds being seen, a. dawn 0
= day, leaving the house Of Of the candidates
q became an oblec; Of such suspicion to uis part
: that eli Confidence Withdrawn, aud intercovfs.
o suspended.
Mr. CfaAiofd ~ho despised all ihe.e petty 10
4 III q