Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1872-10-11
Aoo0D TALKER.
Nonologue Entertainment by Var-
giaia Statesman.

The ssMonthly Gossip" in the
October number of Lippimcott's
Magazine, contains this capital
story:
Perhaps the most brilliant con-
vereationalist that Virginia of the
United States ever produced was
the late Lyttleton Waller Tazewell.
Unfortunately for his reputation as
to consistency and firmness of opin-
ion, his mind was SO capacious and
well stored that it was impossible
for him not to see all sides Of any
subject on which he conversed,
and hence it was not always easy
indeed, was often extremely difficult
for his hearers to ascertain what
his real opinion was. In illustra-
ton of this popularity Of Gov. Taze-
well, the following anecdate is told:
When the notification trouble was
at its height, Mr.. Calhoun sent
William G. Preston TO Richmond to
sound the first Governor Floyd,
father Of John B. Floyd, Secretary
of War under Buchanan, as to what
might be expected of Virginia in
case South Carolina became invol-
we'd in q conflict with the Federal
government. The question being
one of great Importance, and Gov.
Floyd having the utmost confidence
in Gov. Tazewell's, judgment, the
latter was summoned to the State
capital, and the conference took
place in the Executive mansion at
night soon after supper.
Mr.. Tazewell, being called upon
for his opinion, began. A stream
of brilliant and forcible words
poured from his fluent lips,
enchanting and delighting his two
auditors. At the expiration of an
hour, Governor Floyd ventured to
interrupt him:
"Your opinion, then, is
"Wait moment" said Tazewell.
Diverging from the line of his pre-
vious remarks, he corruscated for
another hour as forcibly as before.
1t was then Preston's turn to
intercept-and if possible arrest
the flow of talk.
"We may conclude, then, Mr..
Tazewell, that you hold"
"No, not at all. You quite mis-
apprehend me-" Taking another
point Of departure, he went on from
hour to hour, zigzagging and worm
fencing at each interruption, until
at last broad daylight flooded the
room.
"Bless my soul!" said he, looking
up surprised, sit is morning! Floyd
if you will give me bowl of water
to wash my face, and julep, will
lie down for an hour or two to rest
myself; and tonight, if you choose,
we will resume our conversation.
l am afraid l have not made myself
quite clear to either of you gentle
men,"
The water and the julcp were
duly brought, and the fluent talker
went up to his chamber.
Floyd and Preston remained
staring at each other for long
time in profound silence. At length
Mr.. Preston said, "Have you any
idea what Mr.. Tazewell's real opin-
ion is?"
"None whatever. Have you?"
.."Not the remotest conception.
Do you think he has any opinion?"
"Most certainly. He has every
opinion that every man ever had or
should have on this subject, and
a great many more besides. But
what his final opinion will be, no
living man, not even Tazewell him
self, will ever discern"
The "cohversation," as Mr.. Taze-
we'll was pleased to call it, was
never resumed.
A G1ftsd Memphis Lawyer who Ed
tied Two Papers. Both Daily.
An antiquated writer in the Mem
phis appeal has dug up out of his
memory the following rich story
The young lawyer referred to is
still flourishing in Memphis:
s'There was never greater local
excitement than that which grew
out of that internal navy-yard bust
ness. Half Of the people were in
favor of accepting the property, and
half or more opposed to it, the lat,
ter thinking that the government
might be induced even yet to make
liberal appropriations and perfect
the navy-yard and build ships and
steamers here. There were two
newspapers here, one morning
publication, edited by gentleman
Of no ordinary ability, named Bank
head, who was tragically and mys-
teriously assassinated some six
years ago. There was another pa
per, called the Ne'cs Il believe that
was its name), edited by man
named Yancy. These editors op-
posed each other on the navy-yard
question, and their discussion had
bcgotten a good deal Of excitement,
when both went away for the sum-
MGR, and each without the others
knowledge employed the same man,
this young lawyer, to conduct his
paper in his absence. The young
limb of the law naturally enough
took to both sides of the question.
He made the controversy between
the two papers hotter and hotter on
each successive day. Crowds gath
cred each afternoon about the Neacs
Office, and somebody expected that
the two furious editors would shed
blood. The coming duel in Arkan-
sas was confidently anticipated, and
the ferocity of the two papers was
marvellous. Popular excitement was
intense when Bankhead came hur-
rying home from Virginia and Yam
cy from Alabama, each thinking the
other was about to murder his own
substitute. Such was the fever Of
popular feeling and evaporation
that the story was necessarily kept
quiet. If the mischievous fraud
upon the public passion had been
exposed at the time the con dnore
editor would have been hanged to ~
lamp-post."