Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1868-04-07
Webster and Calhoun.

In his recolecti0ns of the great
men Of the United States, Horace
Greedy says:
"Mr. Webster was colder. frmer
sterner in his general bearing, though
be could nnbend and be sunny and
blithe in his Intercourse with those
admitted to his intimacy. There
were few gayer or more valued ass,
ociates on fishing or sailing party,
His mental caliber was much the
larger; | judge that he bad read and
studied more though neither could
boast much erudilion, or even intense
application. believe each was
about thirty years in Congress-
where Mr.. Clay Unidentified his name
with the origin of success Of at least
halt a dozen important measures to
every one thus blended with MIR
Webster's. Though Webster's was
far the more massive intellect, Mr..
Clay as legislator eginced far
greater creative conductive power
| once sat in the Senate Chamber
when Mr. Douglas who bad Just
been transferred from the .aeuse,
rose TO move toward bill in which
be was interested. we have no such
practice in the Senate, SIR, said Mr.
Webster in his deep, solemn voice, fix
ing bis eyes on toe mover, but with
out rising from his scat. Mr.. Doug
las at once varied his motion. seek
ing to achieve bis end in somewhat
different way. That is not the way
we do business in the Senate, SIR re
joined Mr.. Webster, still more stern
~ and decisivei7. The little Giant
was bold, ready man. not easily
overwared or Disconnected, but ii be
did not culver under the eye and
voice Of Mr.. Webster then nv eye-
sight deceived me, and l was very
near him.
"Mr. Calhoun was a tall, spare,
earnest, evidently thoughtful man.
with stiff, iron-gray hair, which res
mind you of Jackson's, about the
time he entered the Presidency
He was entirely a logician-terse.
vigorous, relentless, lLe courted the
society of clever aspiring young men
who inclined to fall into his views,
and exerted great influence over
Them. As he had abandoned the po-
litical faith which distinguished and
cherished as national. while ] was ct a
schoolboy, | never met him at all in
timately, yet once, while | was con
nected with mining on Lake Superi
or, | called on him, as on other lead
ing members of Congress, TO explain
the affect of the absurd policy then in
vogue, IN keeping mineral lands out
of market, and at tempting TO collect
a percentage Of the mineral as rent
accruing to the Government. He re
ceived me courteously and / took
care to make my statement as com
pact and conspicuous as could,
showing that, even in the lead reg
ion where the system had attained
its full development, 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 perpetuate this vicious
system. we only ask, Mr.. Calhoun,
| rejoined, that Congress fix on the
lands what ever price it may deem
just, and sell the n at that price o
those in possession; they falling to
purchase, then, to whomsover viii
buy them. That plan will have my
hearty support, he responded aud it
did When the question came at
length to be taken, | believe there
was no vote in either House against
selling the mineral lands"