The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-01-01
Aetches OF Society and Politics I'm Wash
tngtAn.

ketches OF Society and Politics I'm Wash,
tngtsn.
TO THE KDIroR OF TIE HERALD.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2S, 1858.
DEAR SIR-Injured innocence prompts me to
make my grievances known TO the American world
through your columns. When you read the sigma.
lure at the end Of this letter. am quite confident
that you win publish it without hesitation, on the
strength OF my responsible position before the
nation.
Let me narrate and state distinctly few Of my
ante cedents l am from foreign stock one Of my
ancestoIs having been steerage passenger In the
Mayfiower when she landed her passengers near Ply
mouth Rock, some time ago, but my great greatgreat
grandfather eventually became an adopted citizen
and settled in the woods CT New Hampshire, where
the pleasant village Of Green Valley is nov located
and where was subsequently, born and there raised.
At eleven years Of age became political disciple
of Isaac Hill. / now approach near the most inte-
resting period OF my life Three years ago, sir, at
the tender age OF twenty eight years, having con
siderable practice as q lawyer being the husband Of
. loved and loving wife, the father Of fine boy, l
was elected q member Of the Democratic Vigilance
Committee OF Green Valley We met once week.
At one of those meetings, /, sir-me-myself, un-
prompted and unsolicited mentioned the name Of
Franklin Pierce as candidate for the office Of Pre-.
sident of the United States 1t was the spark that
fired all the political gunpowder that mas exploded
since. Shall / detail the RESULT Shall / tell
you how that Vigilance Committee stood up in their
boots and brogans ?-how the name went like wild
fire until the Democratic State Central Committee
were nfected?-unt the delegates to the National
nal rntsI ~
body unanimously nominated the candidate Of 50
humble o man as me? Shall / tell you how the
masses Of the nation sprang up to greet and meet
MAT nomination? Shall l tsn you how Franklin
Pierce was elected by millions Of humans2 No. sire,
shsnt do any thing of the sort, because all these
things matters Of history, and will be eventually
printed in my friend Bancrofts big book. "Behold
how big fire little flame kndleth," as the bible
says. am the man that kicked up all this muss.
And now you have heard enough of my antecedents.
Well, to start afresb. Notwithstanding all this inn
mense performance on my part, continued my pro-
fessional basness-whicn Is good for $500 year-re
mded In the bosom OF my family, as the novels say,
and kept num- didn't let ON at al, myself. heard
that Frank had frequently spoken gratefully and
Seelngly Of my services, aud that was qantum stnf
IT, as the classics say or stung enough, rendered in
The modern American tongue.
Some Of my friends insisted that Frank Pierce
ought to do the clean thing by me, and give me
something nice. spoke to my wife about 1t. She
b eminenty practical. Mr.. Bennett | said to her
"Cara, dear, how would you like TO have your hus
band hold an official position under the general gov
a what, Sam? Speak plain-I don't understand
high faluton talk, said my DEM.
well, then, love-an office"
"Sam, don't be foolish. Would You destroy Your
good, honest name and the peace OF . fond and low
Bless your heart 1 am not going to do anything
Of that sort. What have those things to do with
Office ~
Everything, husband. / never have seen any one
yet that took office you call it, that didnt become
lazy, good for nothing, drunken, vagabond, and as
tame and dirty as dish water. Don't do 1t Samuel"
was convinced, said no more, and the fire in my
chimbey corner burned as brightly as ever, when,
woe Is me, friend who had been at Washington
came to Green Valley, N. "a. He had seen the
President. He brought message, too, from the
wanted to see me in Washington Ny wife,
under such circumstances, agreed to spare me
three weeks We were not fush sir, but
We succeeded in raising fifty dollars, which
We deemed amply sufficient for the trip.
kissed her and left, little dreaming that the man
Who signs this could not spend $50 in three weeks
but that he could make $4,000 in just two and
half, or seventeen days and . halt Incidents OF
local travel tiresome, and will travel rapidly
ever them until reach my lodgings. in large barn
Of ahotel in Pennsylvania avenue. Now commenced
ny misery and my greatness. went to dinner at
half on ns Oa uo.sd
u least one hundred and fortytwo out OF one hun
dred and eighty diners were gazing ntently At me- and
Yet with marked respect | found was the focus
Tor ct least two hundred and eighty four eyes. am
modest, / am, and slipped leg Of chicken into
ny handkerchief and put for my room, where |
could finish my dinner in peace and quietness. The
chicken was put out Of the way and was alone.
ny room. Come in" said /. A man entered:
Delighted said he; "this is the distinguished
gentleman from New Hampshire tha: -n
my name is Samuel Green, il. Can ! serve you?"
"DeHghtedl you are, indeed, then, the -"
lid he.
"Take seat" said /.
"Dehghtedl Indeed, you are him. Most happy to
20 you. Have you see0l' and here he pointed with
his thumb over his left shoulder.
" Have seen who ~ j said.
"Deighted, you are, indeed, then tho? Does
Frank know you've come ~
does or cares" smile and shake Of the head,
said plainly that was mistaken; and then the mys-
ferrous individual muttered his eternal delighted
extraordinary fortunate individual, that
Proceed, sir" said [.
"Oh, no; understand"
PRAY, Mr.. may ask your name?r Here
he put nis finger to his mouth and made along e~,
got up and locked the door, and then whispered in
'Good Lord" said I-"Clams," "what an extraor-
binary namel We'll, then, Mr.. CLAIMS"
Claims" spelled and pronounced my new
hisnd.
&C. W. Claims. Oh, have heard Of you before;
You are the man that always has something 10 do in
Washington life. Wen, what can do for you ~
"Delshted- extraordinary person that; Are
You rich in fortune as well as the fortunate man
hat-?r
"No au comfortably well of-good practice
own house in Green Valley worth 81 ,75o."
''Debghted- Extraordinary person that -. How
hong do you remain in Washington
1.-TWO or THREE weeks
eel am your friend. Will you put yourself In my
hands Do you want TO return 70 Green Valley
with S250,000? Will you take 800 900 for your
chances Delighted-exuaordinary human being
"why, sir, you amaze me / 800, 0o0-$250O 900.
Chances Why, Mr.. Claims, L
Speak freely am your friend; can secure
y0u Sl00 900 in forfyeignt hours. Your prospects
are splendid. Presidents archaeological, ex
traordinaIv man. that Natioa CsDlnet Com