Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1872-01-25
Henry Clay and Rufus Choate.
From the February Galaxy.

The Senate during Tyler's admini3-
tration) was the most able and brilliant
body of statesmen, jurists, and public
lists that was ever seen in this country.
And yet the ma ajority was dominated by
Mr.: Clay as thoroughly and utterly as
Bonaparte commanded his marshals.
Massachusetts was represented by
Isaac G. Bates and Rufus Choate. They
were both very able and accomplished
men. Mr.. Choate was one OF the most
superb orators of his age; and US a
ready, felicitous debater, he was with
out superior in Congress. He had
that rare combination of attributes,
convincing. inexorable logic, and the
richest and most vivid imagination.
The happy union of extraordinary quail.
tiles makes the truly great man in the
senate and the forum. He was elected
as the successor of Mr.. Webster when
that gentleman was appointed Secretary
of State. He was the intimate, conf
Dental friend of the great New England
statesman, and was regarded as his Pc
culiar 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 in.
sist upon it, and, MS an argument in
support of his proposition, indiscreetly
intimated that some modification might
be necessary to insure the approval of
the President. This imprudent sug-
eestion aroused the jealousy
and indignation of Mr.. CLAY.
Springing to his feet with
flashing eyes, in tones of thunder
he denounced Mr.. Choate for
attempting to coerce the Senate by
threats of the displeasure of the Execu-
tive. The scene was one of great ex-
citement. The bearing of Mr.. Clay was
naughty, imperions, and overbearing,
and his Language was correspondingly
severe. Mr.. Choate fairly quailed
un der the vehement denunciation. Mr..
Clay appealed to the pride and indie.
pendence of Senators, and inquired
whether the threatened interposition of
the Executive to defeat the just ex.
pectations of the people was to be tol-
Grated by coordinate branch of the
Government.
The vivacity of the assault was too
much for Mr.. Choate, more especially
as he felt that he had committed him
| self by his unt0ward intimation. He
was confused and embarrassed, en-
deavored to qualify what he had said,
and finally averred that he had no au-
thority for the suggestion, and only
expressed his individual opinion, based
on the circumstances of the case. But
Mr. Clay, perceiving the dilemma 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 ungenerously, and
read him a severe lecture in
a magisterial and dictatorial
tone. The feeling of the Senate was
clearly in favor of Mr.. Choute, although,
it was seen that he had made O great
mistake in the mode OF sustaining the
amendment. He was so rebuked and
overawed, and the superiority of Mr..
Clay in the controversy was so mani.
fest, that the friends of MIR. Webste,
were much mortified at the result. On
the following day Mr.. Choate made a
spirited and manly explanation, vindi.
eating himself completely; but it had
the appearance of IN aftetthought, and
the effect was far less than if he had
spoken promptly in his own justi6ca
ton.
Few men were capable of coping
with Mr.. Clay in controversial dis.
cussion. His resources were all Mt com.
mand, and he spoke as forcibly on the
spur of the moment as after the most
careful preparation. Mr.. Choate had
all the advantages of superior genius
and reasoning faculties, as we'll as more
perfect intellectual training, and vet
was overborne and humiliated by the
greater moral and physical vigor Of his
antagonist.