Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1872-03-22
5Aiscellamy.
Adams, Clay and Webster.

! The most extraordinary man in pub
lie life was John Quincy Adams. Wise
expressed the truth as well as the gener-
al sense of the House when he declared
that Mr.. Adams knew more than all the
other members put together. On being
asked to explain, he said he knew every
thing that any other member knew, and
many things of which every other man
was ignorant His knowledge was most
extensive and precise, and his memory
singularly tenacious. He spoke without
commanding the attention of the House,
and he always threw flood of light on
the subject under discussion but he was
petulant and irascible in debate, sparing
no one in his sarcasm and denunciation
The boldest hesitated about encounter
ing man so thoroughly equipped and
armed at ali points. Marshall of Ken
lucky, who was a sort of knight-errant,
thought to win laurels by running
course with the old gentleman. He pre-
pared himself with great labor, and
came into the House with long pream-
BILE, reciting certain alleged delin9uen-
cies of Mr.. Adams, winding up with
resolution of expulsion. He made
very elaborate, able and eloquent speech
in support Of his proposition, and the
feeling of a majority of the body seemed
to be with him. He was highly compli-
mented for his brilliant effort, for a day
or two be felt that his argument was un-
answerable. At the proper time, Mr..
. Adams rose to reply. The galleries were
crowded to suffocaiion, and the lobbies
we're full. He commenced his speech as
follows "Mr. Speaker, when Warren
Hastings had listened to the eloquent
denunciations and powerful arguments
R of Burke, Fox and SherideG, he said he
almost felt that he must be guilty Of the
: crimes charged against him. Now, sir,
| have listened to arguments more pow
], erful and eloquence more brilliant than
: ever were heard in the House of Lords
and never for one moment did | fee
myself guilty of the offenses which the
gentleman from Kentucky has alleged
r against me" He then proceeded with
s what was probably the greatest speech
of his life. His vindication was com
plete, and the effort tremendous. Mr.
Marshall's arguments were so riddleC
that they seemed the merest sophistry
% and his display of historical learning
wasshown to be the drivel ofa sophomore
: No such speech had for long time beer
beard in the House. The immense au
7 ditory was electrified, and MARSHALL
i career as legislator came to an untime
y end.
Mr.. Clay was so indignant and exas
perated at Tyler's vetoes that he becam
+ unreasonable and disagreeable to hi
friends. He would listen to no suggest
ions tending to composition of the dit
ficulty, and advised an immediate ad
o journment and an appeal to the people
5e Some of the most CONSPICUOUS wings il
Congress, becoming discontented will
his imperious bearing and his determi
nation to push extreme measures, agreed
&c to meet at Gen. Scott's rooms at tn
Id Hope club for consultation. Mr.. Cla.
ne was not invited to attend, nor was b
apprised that the meeting was to b
s held but late in the evening the fac
Y came to his knowledge. Returning iron
nd whist party at Bodisco's, he knocke'
op at SCOTS quarters, and was ushered int
the room where the gentlemen were sit
: ting. A hawk in dove-cote could no
have created greater CONSERVATION. ii
NJ remained standing, declining proffere'
SOsl chair. Glancing from one part of tn
ir; room to the other, and glowering at eve
IL rybody present, he exclaimed in lou
voice, E" Treason treason and in tn
: middle of the night. Play fair, Scot
play fair" And he stalked away, pay
R; ing no attention to the attempts at eS
n planation or the denials that anythin
us secret or unfair was intended. Subs,
We -, i, 4,
quently he was persuaded that the onl
object of the meeting was to consult VI
on the situation, and see if anythin
! could be decided to promote harmony i
the party and avert the peril impending
d Mr.. Clay never forgave the gentlme
who were instrumental in procuring tn
nomination OF Harrison. He was conf
- dent that he could have been elected b
large majority. and he always distrus
ed the fidelity of such of his friends a
had acquiesced in the selection of hi
rival. He was sore toward Scott, an
:. often expressed himself in terms of cor
tempt and derision when the general
name was mentioned A card part
given BY Gen. Macomb was largely a
tended by the most distinguished gentl,
men in Washington. Mr.. Clay came i
the at late hour, leaning on the arm {
les Senator Mangum. As he entered tn