Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-01-29
Hsass.s,, men 1, 'e,l.sy ,.sss Hrls. 'reD's-.


? The Senate during Tyler's admins
tration) was the most able and brilliant
body OF statesmen, jurists and publiclsts
that was ever seen in this country. And
yet thelmajority was dominated by Mr..
Clay as thoroughly and utterly as Bona
parte commanded his marshals.1 Massa-
chusetts was represented by Isaac c.
Bates and Rufus Choate. They were
both able and accomplished mon. Mr..
Choate was one OF the most superb ora
tors of the age; and as a ready, felci7
tous and effective debater, he was with
out superior in congress. He had that
rare combination of attributes, convinc1
ing, inexorable logic, and the richest
and most vivid Imagination. The happy
union of extraordinary qualities makes
the truly great man in the senate and
the forum. He was elected as the sue
cessor of Mr.. Webster when that gem
tleman was appointed Secretary Of
State. BE was the intimate, confden-
tial friend of the great New England
statesman, and was. regarded as his
peculiar advocate and champion in
the senate. When the bank bill was
under discussion, Mr.. Choate offered an
amendment which was resisted by Mr..
Clay. Mr.. Choate was disposed to insist
upon it, and, as an argument in support
of his proposition, indiscreetly intimated
that some modification might be neces-
sary to insure the approval of the Presi.
dent. Thisimprudentsuggestion aroused
the jealousy and Indignation of Mr.. Clay.
Springing to his feet with flashing eyes,
in tones Of thunder he denounced Mr.
Choatc for attempting to coerce the sem
ate by threats of the displeasure Of the
excitement. The bearing of Mr.. Clay
was naughty, inaperious, and oyerbear-
ing, and his, language was correspond
ingly severe. Mr.. Choate fairly quailed
under his vehement denunciation. Mr..
Clay appealed. to the pride and indepen-
dence OF senators, and inquired whether
the threatened interposition of the
Executive to defeat the just expectations
of the people was, to be tolerated BY CO.
ordinate branch of the government IN
The vivacity of the assault was too
much for Mr.. Choate, more especially
as he felt that he ha d committed him
self by his untowartl intimation. He
was confused and embarrassed, .endeav-
cred to qualify what he had said, and
finally averred that he had no authority
for the suggestion, anol only expressed
his individual opinion, based on the cir
cumstances of the case. But Mr.. Clay,
perceiving the dilemma in which he had
placed Mr.. Cheate, and evidently under
the impression that he was hitting Mr..
Webster through his next friend, pressed
his advantage harshly, If not ungener-
ously, and read him severe lecture in
a msgisterial and dictatoIial tones The
feeling of the Senate was clearly in favor
of Mr.. Choate, although it was seen
that he had made great mistake in the
mode of sustaining the amendment He
was so rebuked and oyerawed, and the
superiority of Mr. Clay in the contro
versy was so manifest, that the friends
of Mr.. Webster were much morti fed a.
the result. On the following day Mr..
Choate made a spirited and manly ex
81 alton, yindicatingg himself eoml llete
ly; but it had the appearance. Of an
afterthought, and the effect was far les'
than If he had spoken promptly IN his
own justification.
Few men were capable of coping with
Mr.. Clay in controversial discussion
His resources were all at command, and
he spoke as forcibly on the spur of the
moment as after the most careful prepar-
alton. Mr.. Choate had all the advan'
tages of superior genius and reasoning
faculties, as well as more perfect intel
leetual training, and yet he was over
borne and humiliated by greater
moral and physical yigor Of his antagon
ist. ! ~ ! u lJG GC