The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1872-02-09
NUMBER 6.
RENRY CLAY ANp RUFUS cHOArR.

The Senate, during Tyler's admin
lstration, was the most able and
brilliant body of statesmen, iurists,
and publicists that was ever seen in
this country. And yet the majori-
ty was dominated by Mr.. Cav as
thoroughly and utterly as Bonaparte
lcomman ded his marshaIs. Massa-
enusetts was represented by Isaac
Z. Bates and Rufus Choate. They
were both very able and accom-
piished mon. Mr.. Choate was one
of the most supurb orators of the
age; and as q ready, felicitous and
effective debater, he was without a
superior in Congress. He had that
rare combination of attributes, con.
Vlncing, memorable logic, and the
richest and most vivid imagination.
This happy union of these extraor-
binary qualities makes the: truly
great man in the senate and the TO-
rum. He was elected as the success
or of Mr.. Webster when that gen.
tleman was appointed Secretary of
State. He was the intimate, conf
dental friend of the great New
England statesman, and was regar-
ded as his peculiar advocate and
champion in the Senate. When the
Bank bill was under discussion Mr..
Choate was disposed to insist upon
1T, and, as an argument in support
of his proposition, indiscreetly init
mated that some modification might
be necessary to insure the approval
of the President. This impudent
suggestion aroused the jealously and
Indignation of Mr.. Clay. Spring.
ing to his feet with flashing eyes,
in tones of. thunder he denounced
MIR. Choate for attempting TO CO.
ercc the Senate by threats of the
displeasure of the executive. The
scene was one of great excitement.
The bearing of Mr.. Clay was haugh-
ty, imperious and over-bearing, and
his language was correspondingly
severe. Mr.. Choate fairly quaiIed
under his vehement denun citation.
Mr.. Clay appealed to the pride and
Independence of Senators, and in
quired whether the threatened inter-
positions of the Executive to defeat
the just expectation of the people
was to be tolerated by co-ordi-
nate branch ofthe government.
The vivaclty of the assault was
wv 4huSA LII NJ N4OdlGs CSS
pecially as he felt that he had COM
mitted himself by his untoward in
tlmation. He was confused and
embarrassed, endeavored to qualify
what he had said, and finally aver
ed that he had no authority for the
suggestion, and only expressed his
opinion, based on the cir
of the case. But Mr.. |
Clay, perceiying the delirium in |
which he had placed Mr.. Choate,
and evidently under the impression |
that he was hitting Mr.. Webster
through his next friend, pressed his |
advantage harshly, if not ungen-
erously, and read him a severe lee
in a magisterial and dictatorial tone. |
The feeling of the Senate was clear
~ in favor of Mr.. Choate, although |
it was seen that he had made a |
great mistake in the mode of sus-
tanning the amendment. He was so |
rebuked and overawed, and the SUI
periority of Mr.. Clay in the contro-
Versy was so manifest, that the |
of Mr.. Webster were much |
at the result. On the fol. /
lowing day Mr.. Choate made spir-
tied and manly explanation, vindi |
eating himself completely; but il
had the appearance of an after
thought, and the effect was far lees
than i'll had spoken promptly in
his own justification.
Few men were capable OF coping
with Mr.. Clay in a controversial
His resources were
all at command, and he spoke as
forcibly on the spur of the moment
as after the most careful delibera-
alton. Mr.. Choate had all the ad-
vantages of superior genius and rea-
soning faculties, as well as more per-
feet intellectual training, and yet he
was overborne and Inundated by
the greater moral and physical Wig
or of his acknowledgement
2fthe Past" az FEBRUARY GALAXY.