Idaho semi-weekly world. (Idaho City, Boise County, Idaho Territory) 1867-1868, 1868-06-13
Semi M1eeklg Morla.
THE GREAT SENATOR'S.

sketch Of the three great departed Sen
ators, Calhoun, Clay and Webster:
Our great triumvirate-Clay, Web.
ster, Calhoun-last appeared together
in public life in the Senate of lS49-50;
the two former figuring conspicuously
in the debates which preluded and re-
suited in what was termed the Compro-
mise of that year-Mr. Calhoun dying
as they had fairly opened, and Messrs.
Clay and Webster not long after their
close. This paper is, therefore, IN
some sort, my humble tribute to their
genius and their just renown.
/ best knew and loved Henry Clay;
he was by nature genial, cordial, cour-
teous, gracious, magnetic, winning.
When General Glasscock, OF Georgia,
took his seat in Congress as a repre-
sentative, a mutual friend asked: Gen
eral, may | introduce you to Henry
Clay?" mo. sirr was his stern re-
Spouse; II am his adversary, and choose
not to subject myself to his destinations"
think it would have been hard to CON
stitute for three or four years legis-
lative body whereof Mr.. Clay was Il
member, and not more than four-Scv-
enths were his pledged, implacable OPP
ponents, whereof he would not have
been the master spirit, and the author
and inspirer Of most Of its measures.
after the first or second year.
Mr.. Webster was colder. gravcr, ster-
ncr, in his general bearing; thouh lie
could unbend and be sunny and blithc
in his intercourse with those admitted
10 his intimacy. There were few gay
or or valued associates on fishing
party. His mental cahbre was much
he larger; | Judge that he read and
studied more, though neither could
boast much crudition, or even intense
application. | believe each was about
thirty years in Congress, where Mr.
Clay identified his name with the orr
g.ir or success Of at least half dozen
important measures TO every one thus
blended with Mr.. Wehstcr,s. Though
Ncbstcr's was far the more massive
intellect, Mr. Clay a. Z legislator cvInc-
ed far the greater creative, CunStruc-
i've power. | once sat in the Senate
Chamber when Mr.. Douglas. who had
lust been transferred from the House.
rose to move forward a bill in which
he was interested. Eve have no such
practice III tie Senate, sir" said Mr.
Webster, IN his deep, solemn voice. fix
ing his eye on the mover, but without
raising from his seat Mr. Douglas at
once varied his motion. seeking 10
achieve his end in a somewhat different
way. "That is not the way We do bust
ness in the Senate, sir" rcioincd Mr.
Webster, still more dccisivcly and
stcrnly. "Ihe little Giant" was bold,
ready man, not easily overawed or dis
concerted; but If he did not culver IN
der the eyes and voice Of Webster, then
my eyc-sight deceived me, and ! was
very near him.
Mr.. Calhoun was tall spare earnest,
evidently thoughtful man, with stiff.
iron-gray hair, which reminded you of
.iacksOn's, about the time Of his Access
sion to the Presidency He was cni-
uently logician-tersc, vigorous, aud
relcntlesA He conrtcd the society oil
the clever, aspiring young men who
inclined to fall into his views, aad OK
crted great influence over them. As
he had abandoned the political faith
which distinguished and cherished as
national, while | was yet a. schooIboy,
| never met him at all intimately. Yet
once whilc [ was Connected with min
ing on Lake Superior, called on him.
rs other leading members Of Congress,
iocxplain the effect Of the absurd policy
tacn in vogue, keeping mineral lands out
IF market, and attempting to collect
percentage of the mineral "a rent ac-
cruing to the Government He rcceiv-.
cd me courteoasly and took care to,
make my statement as compact and
,,erspicious as | could, showing him
that even in the lead region, where the
system had attained it's full develop
laent, the Treasury did not receive
enough rent to pay the salaries of the
officers employed in collecting. it
Enough" said Mr. Calhoun; you are
clearly right will vote to give away
these lands rather than perpctuate this |
vicious system ".Ne only ask. Mr..