Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1865-02-24

purpose | remarked that my stay would be for
some weeks, and he offered me kindly such seryices
as be could render OF course I thanked him. and
then added that promised myself no little pleas
ure from attempting "to find out some of the un-
der.currents of public affairs at the seat of govern
ment. He replied. with his peculiar and pleasa mt
smile, that if lsueceeded in getting much below the
surface would be more successful than he had ever
been. When rose to leave he laughingly asked
to favor him with the result of my observations
beiere left the city, which promised to do.
Ny instructions, as has been intimated, directed
me to avoid Mr.. Clay and rely on Mr. Webster for
reasons not now necessary to be stated hut on the
occasion just alluded to- the bearing Of the former
/ seemed so frank and his knowledge Of MY mission
50 obvious, that designedly threw out the above
intiation of my intention to watch all the sources
Of Intrigue, and then Judge for myself That he
understood the alusion to be some particular object
whgeh had in view was plain, for during the next
three weeks we never met, even causally, without
some reference by him to my Explorations below
the surface" am now quite satisfied, that even
if he had any hostility to Mr.. Stevens this course
would have seemed to restrain him from active op.
position. Yet if even he had those feelings there
would have been neither wrong nor dishonor in his
opposition to wishes. Not only had he not in
timated any design to sustain us, but he had not
| even been applied to or trusted on the subject :;
and more than that the friends Of Mr. Stevens in
Pennsylvania, had been the known opponents Of
his Presidential aspirations.
But to shorten the story, Mr.. Stevens was not ap
pointed. To say nothing of Gen. Harrison's fla.
grant breach of his own volunteered written offer
aud promise, Of the extent of which even then
knew nothing. The causes of our defeat, as / un-
derstood them, were--1 The treachery of one Of
our own men at home, who has since gone to his
last account, but who made a small Office for him
self out of his baseness. 3 The detection or want
of nerve of Mr. Webster; and Sd, an influence,
then predominant which oyer-rid all political con-
siderations, and feared Mr.. Stevens determination
and talents if admitted to the sources of power.
The full history of this transaction if written out,
would be instructive the politician and student in
human nature creditabe to a few, Iaughable in
some of its details and disgusting in others but in
all showing that a knowledge of private character
for 6rmness and integrity is the best clue to pub
| lie conduct
The day after the affair was decided, and few
hours before leaving Washington / called on Mr.
Clay according to promise. l then, for the first
time, told him what had been my business and that
/ was unsuccessful II regret to hear it - said he.
ut is mistake Gen. Harrison will discover that
no man who betrays his friends viii be long able to
sustain himself His friends in Pennsylvania had
strong claims upon him, and none more so than Mr..
| SteYens" | then iatimated that had come spe-
eiay to let him know the result of my observations
of the under.current in connection with my bust
ness at the capital This seemed to interest as well
as amuse him. ! sad, we have had no right to ex-
pect aid nor any to complain of opposition to him
to say, that had not detected the evidence of any
interference by him or any one under his known in
fuence. against our claim. He at once rose to his
feet with much animation, and said: "Sir thank
you for this. 70 do me no more than justice, and
justice is SO rare that / am thankful for it. | have
not moved a finger against your claim. If had
been consulted would have favored it. | viii tell
you now what have not been in the habit Of men
tioning. Gen Harrison did me the honor soon after
his election, to tender me the appointment of Secre
tary of State declined it He then consulted me
as to the proper person to appoint Situated as Mr..
Webster and l are in relation to each other,
eould not do less than name him, which did,
Since that time, have urgently requested the ap-
pointment of my old friend Clayton, of Delaware,
to the Treasury Department, but could not effect it.
l have taken other part in the formation Of the
Cabinet. | tell you these things because you seem
| to appreciate my course
He then proceeded to talk of future political
movements; but as my time was limited, and the
prospect then ahead in that direction very obscure,
! did not prolong the conversation. never met
him again.
But from all saw, and heard, aud learned on the
subject, and no one had better opportunity for
becoming acquainted with it, / am satisfied you do
the memoty of Henry Clay injustice in supposing
that the real author of this violated faith sleeps in
the shades of Ashland. .
As to Gen. harrison's written offer of place in
his cabinet before the election, to Mr. Stevens,
those who know the latter gentleman best viii not
be surprised when told that even /, the trusted and
known agent of his friends in their application in
his behalf did not learn of its existence till years
afterwards Himself honorable, and always keep
ing his word with scrupulous exaetness, he would
not arm even his friend with volunteered and con-
fdential document, or compel by threat that
which should be conceded without demand. Hence,
no doubt, the alarm and trepidation in that weak
man, so conspicuous every time | saw him on this
subject. but which ! could rot account for ar the
time. Hence probably, also, his trucking offer of
seat in his cabinet to another Pennsylvania at
the time when he announced this breach of faith,
/ but who being one ST those demanding the appoint
ment of Mr.. Stevens, Indignantly refused it, and
hence | suppose, the unexpected appointment of
Walter Forward to the Treasury Department, in or
der to avoid openly insulting the State which had
nominated and elected him, though her wishes as to
her first choice we're disregarded 7. Il. B,
LANCASTER, February ?, 1865.
Do IT WITH Thy MIGHT-Fortune success, fame,
position are never gained but by pousy, determin-
edly, bravely sticking growing living to thing till
II is fairly accomplished. In short you must carry
a thing through, you want to be anybody or any
thing Ma matter if does cost you the pleasure,
the society," the thousand pearly qualifications of life