Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1871-03-08
Public Men AZ Editors.

Col. J, W Forney says in his can
ecdotes of Public Men" for the Wash
ington Sunday Chronicle:
Many of our public men are capi-
tai amateur editors. Thomas n. Ben.
ton was a valuable and vigorous con-
tributor to the Globe in the war upon
the United States Bank. His style
was trenchant and elevated, and his
facts generally impregnable. James
Buchanan was a frequent writer in my
old paper, the Lancaster, Intelligencer
and Journal, and in the The Pennsyl-
vanian. His diction was cold and un-
sympathetic, but exact, clear, and con-
densed. His precise and elegant chi
Biography was the delight of the com
positors. Judge Douglas wrote little
but suggested much. His mind TEEN
ed with points. I never spent an
hour VIII INN which did not furnish
me with new ideas. He grasped and
understood most questions thoroughly.
When he read was always a mystery.
Social to degree, dining out almost
daily when entertaining his friends at
his own hospitable home, visiting
strangers at their hotels, leading in de-
bate, or counselling in committee, he
was rarely at fault for date or fact
He was treasure to an editor because
he possessed the rare faculty of throw
ing new light upon every subject in the
shortest possible time Ex-Attorney
Gen. j. S. Black would have1 made a
superb journalist, and was ready and
useful contributor His style is terse
and fresh, and scholarly. What a pity
to see such gifts wasted in strife over
the grave of former associate and
friend Caleb Cushing 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 tall 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 anxious to
end his long and eventful career at
peace with all the world. 1t is said
that he is now receiving more money for
legal services than any man in his pro-
fession. OF course his labors are
heavy, but he Hghtens them by his
calm and cheerful philosophy, his cul-
tivated literary tastes, and his love of
the society of the tolerant and refined.
Writing of Thomas Fl. Benton recalls
an incident that happened during the
Presidency of James K. Polk, when
Mr.. Buchanan was Secretary of State.
Col Benton was a sharp thorn in the
side 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 was done in
three articles that bore, he thought,
distinct official ear-marks. Indignant
at my temerity, he addressed me curt
note, demanding the name of the au-
thor of the articles and threatening 4
Senatorial investigation. I responded
by assuming the whole responsibility,
and took the train for Washington to
anticipate and watch events. I quart
cred, as usual, with Mr.. Buchanan, and
there waited for the summons. None
came, however. just before returning
to my post in Philadelphia was invited
to reception at the British Minister'S,
and in one of the currents of the
throng was carried into he corner
where they were serving out the seduc-
tive compound known as Roman punch.
I had hardly got glass of it in my
hand when 1 found myself in the pres
ence of Col Benton. He greeted me
kindly, and as we enjoyed our punch
he quietly remarked, Il got your letter,
but [ did not proceed because I know
you assumed the responsibility that
belonged to another It is needless
to add that the Secretary of State was
as much relieved as was by the decis-
ion of the majestical Missouri Sena-
tor"