The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1871-03-18
Puhlie Men rs EditGrs.

Public Men as Editors.
Col J, w FUfney says In his can
ecaotes of Public Men" for the Wash
ington Sunday Chronicle
MANY of our public men are CAPT
tai amateur editors. Thomas n. Fen
ton was a valuable and vigorous con-
tributor tie the Globe in the war upon
the United States Bank. His style
was trenchant and elevated, and his
facts generally impregnable, James
Buchanan was frequent writer IN hAy
old paper, the Laneastes, 1ntelligencer
and Journal and in the The Pennsyl-
vaassn. His diction was cold and un-
sympathetic, but exact, clear, and con-
densed His precise and elegant Chi
Biography was the delight of the COIN
positors. Judge Douglas %fote little
but suggested much His mind TEEN
ed with points. / never spent an
hour with him which did not furnish
me with new ideas. He grasped er.d
understood most Questic...5 thoroughly.
When he reaa was always a mystery.
Social to a degree, dining out almost
daily when entertaining his friends at
his own hospitable home, visiting
strangers at their hotels, leading III de-
bate, or counsellina III committee, he
was rarely ct fault Fol date or fact
he possessed the rare faculty of throw
ing new light upon every subject In the
shortest possible time E4-Attorney
Gen. =. S, Black would have made a
svref6 journalist, and was ready and
useful contributor His style is terse
and fresh, and scholarly. What pity
to see such gifts wasted in strife over
the grave Of former associate and
friend Caleb Gushing is another
statesman Who once delighted in edit
| orial writing, and still occasionally
varies his heavy professional toll by the
same agreeable relaxation. I have
known him to stand up to his toll desk
and dash off column after column on
foreign and domestic politics, on art,
on finance, with astonishing rapidity
and ease. Unlike his aggressive sue
cessor, Gen. Cushing he. is an-.ttis &c
end his long and sTsntful career at
peace with all the world 1t is said
THAT he is now receiving more money fo1
legal services than any man in his pro-
fession. Of course his labors are
heavy, but he ightens them by his
calm and cheerful philosophy. his euI.
tivated literary tastes, and his love OF
the society nf the tolerant and refined
| Writing of Thomas II. Benton recalls
an incident that happened during the
Presidency of James X. Pelh, Whe1
Mr. Buchanan was Secretary of State
Col. Rentoss was sharp thorn III the
saae OF the Admiration on the Oregon
/ question. His criticism was merci
less, and stung the President and his
Premier to the quick Accordingly the
Pennsylvania was called upon to re
view his positions, which VAR done il
three articles that bore, he thought
distinct official ear marks Indignant
at my temerity, he addressed me a curt
note, demanding the name of the au
thor OF the articles and threaterirr I
Senatorial investigation ! responded
by assuming ska Whole responsibility
and took the train for Washington tc
anticipate and watch events. quart
cred, as usual, with Mr. Buchanan. an6
there waited for the summons Non;
came, however. just before reurnine
to my post in Philadelphia was invited
to reception ut the British Minister'S
and IN one OF the currents of th,
throng was carried into lie corner
where they were serving out the seduc
tive compound known as Roman punch
| had hardly got a glass of it in m
hand when | found myself in the pres
ence OF Col. Benton. He greeted m,
kindly, and as we enjoyed our puncl
he quietly remarked, 4 got your letter
but / did not proceed because ] know
you assumed the responsibility tina
belonged to another 1t is needless
to add that the Secretary of State wa
as much relieved as | was by the decis
ION of the maiestical Missouri Sena