The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1872-02-29

tratlon) Was the most able and brilliant
body OF statesmen, jurists, aud public.
lists that was ever seen 10 this country.
And yet the majority 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 tie age; and az a
ready, felicitous, and effective debater,
he was without a superior in Congress.
Lie had that rare combination of attri-
butes, convincing, 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. lie WAS
elected as the successor of Mr.. Web.
ster when that gentleman was appoint
ed Secretary Of State. He was the in
innate, confidential friend of the great
New England statesman, and was re-
eardcd 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 bis PROPOSE
ton, lndiscreetly intimated that
some modification might be necessary
to insure the approval Of the President.
This imprudent suggestion aroused the
jealousy and indignation of Mr.. Clay.
Springing to his feet with flashing
eyes, in tones Of thunder he denounced
Mr.. Chcate for attempting to coerce
the Senate By threats of the displeas-
ure of the Executive. The scene was
one of great excitement. The bearing
of Mr.. Clay was naughty, imperious
aud o7erbear!ng, and his language vas
correspondingly severe. Mr.. Choatc
falr y quailcd under his vehement de.
nuOciation. Mr.. Clay appealed to the
pride and independence of Senators,
and inquired whether the threatened
interposition of the Executive to defeat
the just expectations Of the people was
to be tolerated by coordinate brlnch
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 untowara intimation. lie
Was confused and embarrassed, endeav.
ored to qualify what he had said, and
finally averred that he had no authori-
ty for the suggestion, and only express.
ed his individual opinion, based on the
circumstances of the case. But Mr..
Clay, perceiVing the dilemma in which
he I'd placed Mr.. Choate, and evident
ly under the impression that he was
hitting Mr.. Webster through his next
friend, pressed his advantage harshly it
not ungenerously, and read him severe
lecture 10 magisterial and dictatorial
tone. The feeling of the Senate was
clearly in favor of Mr.. Choate, although
it was seen that he had made a great
mistake in the mode of sustaining the
amendment. He was so rebuked and
overawed, and tho superiority of Mr..
Clay in the controversy was so mani
fest, that the friends Of Mr.. Webster
were much mortified at the result. On
the following day Mr.. Choate made
spirited and manly explanation, vipdi.
eating himself completely; but it had
the appearance Of an afterthought,
aud the effect was far less than II he
had spoken promptly in his own justif-
cation.
Few men were capable of coping
with Mr. Clay in controversial discus
sion. His resources were all at CON-
mand, and he spoke as forcibly on the
spur Of the moment as after the most
careful preparation. Mr.. Choate had
all the advantage of tie superior geni-
Us and reasoning faculties, as we'll as
more perfect Intellectual training, and
yet he has overborre aud humiliated
by the greater moral and physical vigor
of his antagonist.-"Su Of the
Past" IN GALAXY.