The Lincoln County herald., 1872-05-16
Adams, Clay and Webster-As they
were Thirty Years Age.

Ihe most extraordinary man IN public
life vas John Quincy Adams. Wise ex.
pressed the truth as we'll as the general
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 that he knew every
thing that any other member knew, and
many things Of which every other man
vas ignorant. His knowledge was most
extensive and precise, aud his memory
siuguhrly tenacious. He never spoke
without commanding the attention Of the
House, and he always threw a food Of
light on the subject under discussion !;
but he was petulant and irrasciblc in de.
bate, sparing no one in his sarcasm and
denunciation. The boldest hesitated
about encountering o man so thoroughly y
equipped and armed at all points. Mar
shall OF Kentucky, who was sort Of a
knight Grant, thought to win laurels by
running course with tho old gentleman
He prepared himself with great labor,
aud came into the House with a long
preamble, reciting certain delinquencies
of Mr.. Adams, winding up with resolu
ton of expulsion. lie made very elab.
ora'e, able and eloquent speech in support
of his proposition, and the feeling Of a
majority Of the body seemed to b. with
him He was highly complimented for his
brilliant effort, and for day or two he
felt that his argument was uuanswerabe.
At the proper time, Adams arose to reply
The galleries we're crowded to suffoca.
ton, and the lobbes we're full. He com
menced his speech as follows: "Mr.
Speaker, when Warren Hastings had lis
tened to the eloquent denunclations and
wonderful arguments of Burke, Fox and
Sheridan, he said he almost felt that he
must be guilty Of the crimes charged
upon him. Now, sir, | have listened to
arguments more powerful and eloquencs
more brilliant than ever we're heard in
tho House of Lords, and never for one
moment did feel myself guilty Of the
offenses which the gentleman Of Ken,
tucky alleges against me-" He then
proceeded with what was probably the
greatest speech Of his life. His viudica,
tion was complete, and the effort tre
mendous. Mr.. Marshal's argument were
SO riddled that they seemed the merest
sophistry, and his display of historical
learning was shown to be tho drivel of a
sophomore. No such speech had for u
long time been heard in the House. The
immense auditory was electrified, and
Marshalrs career came to an untimely y
end.
Mr.. Clay was so indignant and exas-
perated at Tyler's vetoes that he became
unreasonable and disagrseable to his
friends. He would listen to no sugges
tions tending to composition of the
difficulty, and advised an immediate ad-
journment and an appeal to the people
Some of the more conspicuous Wings OF
Congress, becoming discontented with the
imperious bearing and his determination
to push extreme measures, agreed to
meet at Gen. Scott's rooms ut the Hope
club for consultation.
Mr.. Clay was not invited to attend
nor was he apprised that the meeting
was to held Il; but late that evening the
fact came to his knowledge. Returning
from a whist party at Bodisco's, he
knocked at Scott's quarters, and was
ushered into the room where the gentle
men were sitting. A hawk in dove cot
could not have created a greater conster
nation. He remained standing, declining
a proffersd chair. Glancing from one
part of the room to the other, and glow
sring at everybody present, be exclaimed
in loud voice, Treason! treason! and
iu the middle of the night. Fair play,
Scott. fair play" And he walked away
paying NO attention to the attempt at
ex planation or the denials that anything
secret or unfair was intended. Subss
qusntly he was pursuadod that the only
object of the meeting was to consult upon
the situation, and soc if anything could
be decided on to promote harmony in the
party and avert the peril impending.
Mr.. Clay never forgave the gentlemen
who we're instrumental in securing the
nomination of Harrison. He was conf
dent that he could havs been elected by
large majority, and always distrusted
the friendship and fidelity of such of his
friends as had acquicsced in the selection
of his rival. He was sore toward Scott,
and often expressed himself in terms Of
contempt and derision when the Gen.
erals name was mentioned. A card
party given by Gen. Macouib was largely
attended by the most distinguished gen.
tlemen in Washington Mr.. Clay came
in at a late hour, leaning on the arm Of
Senator Mangum. As he entered the
room, his attention was attracted to .
whist table, that happened to be made
up Of politicians understood to be espo.
cially friendly to Webster and Scott,
Among them were Edward Curtis, George
Evans and Ogden Hoffman. Mr.. Clay
had been dining with q purity Of friends
and was not iu the most placid frame Of
mind. Approaching these gentlemen, he
broke out upon them as follows: "You
manufacturers Of public opinon-you
makers Of Presidents who assume to con-
troll all mankiud-what mischief are you
b,,,h;nuo on Ha aDokn IN a Land tons