The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1872-05-17
FREMONT SANDUSKY COUNTY, OHIO FRIDAY. MAY H. 1872

except that the orators of the day
and the visitors were first served
but tin cup and a pewter spoon
were the only implements. Mr..
Webster was accompanied by his
wife and daughter Julia afterWard
Mrs. Appleton, and on the great day
! of the feast we drove out to Mrs. In
mis-. After resting at the house we
walked over to the camping ground.
Mr.. Webster was received with
shouts that almost rent the heavens.
He was welcomed in the usual form,
and called upon for a speech, which
he made in his inimitable style.
Mr.. Crittenden, knowing his boys
of old, feared that he also would be
called upon for a speech. Before
Mr.. Webster concluded, he was seen
quietly and stealthily Withdrawing
to the outskirts of the crowd and
Iconcealing himself at last behind a
tree.
One amusing feature Of this occa-
sion was seeing Webster aecommo-
date himself to stump. This was
not the kind of fplatform he was ac-
customed to, but he would not have
been equally acceptable in any other
position. l suppose he had never
| felt his footing so insecure, but, be-
ling quiet speaker by nature, he
got through like man and Ken
tuckian. After the conclusion Of
Mr.. Webster's speech, a great shout
arose for "Crittendenl Crittenden! |!
Crittendenp p' The crowd swayed
backward and forward, the merry
laughter of those near his place of
concealment betrayed him, and he
was literally dragged out and pass
ed over the heads of the people 20 a
tall stump, and put do,0n gently.
Such triumphant shout of victory
was rarely heard on any battlefield
as arose when this was accomplish
led. Mr.. Crittenden was laughing
so heartily that it was sometime be-
fore he could utter a word. I shall
never forget Mr.. Webster's expires
Ision on that day-amazement and
amusement contended for the mas
Itery. Those who were acquainted
with Mr.. Crittenden have not for
'fgotten the intensely humorous ex.
pression of his eountenance when
Ehearing or relating a good story.
l On this occasion his mirth was con-
Itagious He peremptorily declared he
would not make a speech, made a
speech, made a comic appeal to "his
boys" not to force him to hold up his
little lights while greater lights were
shining; he declared that "there was
mot a stump within five miles that
did not bear the marks Of his foot
steps" This plea seemed to touch
''the boys"-they behaved well, let
Iting him off for that time, although
1 verify believe they would rather
have heard him speak than Demos
themes or Cicero.
Before leaving the ground, many
pressed forward to take Mr.. Web
ster by the hand, and to say word
on the great political questions OF
the day. Every man in Kentucky
was politician. and those mass
meetings were political schools fol
unededucated men. They listened
with intense interest to public speak
ling, and were, many of them, natural
Iorators. In returning to town, one
Iof my sisters and myself occu-
Ipied the same carriage with Mr..
Webster. During the drive he
spoke most exclusively of Mr..
ICrittenden, and pronounced an elo-
Iquent euIogy upon him. Among
Iother things he said, "Mrs. Coleman,
Iyour father is a great and good man.
Great men are not difficult to find,
but a great and good man is rarely
seen in this world. Mr.. Crittenden
is a great and good man"