The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1872-02-08
Henry Clay and Rufus Choate.

of statesmen, jurists, and publcits that wa
ever seen in this country. And yet the ma
iority was dominated by Mr.. Clay, as thor
oushly and utterly as Bonaparte command
!; ed his marshals. Massachusetts was repre-
sented by Isaac c. Bates and Rufus Choate
They were both very able and accomplished
men. Mr.. Choate was one of the most su
pcrb orators of the age; and as ready, te
iicitous. and effective debater, he was with
out superior in Congress. He had tina
rare combination of attributes, convincing
inexorable logic, and the richest and mos
vivid imagination. The happy union of ex
traordinary qualities makes the truly great
in the Senate aud the forum. He was elect
ed rs the successor of Mr. Webster when
that gentleman was appointed Secretary OF
State. He was the intimate, confidential
friend of the great New England statesman,
and was regarded as his peculiar advocate
and champion in the Senate. When the
Bank bill was under discussion MIR. Choate
offered an amendment which was resisted by
Mr.. CLAY. Mr.. Choate was dispose to insist
upon it, and, as an argument in support OF
his proposition, indscreetly intinated that
some modification might be necessary to in
sure the approval of the President This
impudeut suggestion aroused the jealousy
and indignation of Mr.. Clay. Springing to
his feet, with flashing eyes, in tones of thun-
der, he denounced Mr.. Choate for attempt
ing to coerce the Senate by threats of the
displeasurc of the Executive. The scene
was one of great excitement The bearing
of Mr.. Clay was naughty. impcrious, and
ovcrbcaring, and his language was cores
pondingly severe. Mr.. Choate fairly quailed
under his vehement denunciation. MIR. Clay
appealed to the pride and independence of
senators, and inquired whether the threaten
cd interposition Of the Executive to defeat
the just expectations of the people was to
he tolerated by coordinate branch of the
government.
The vivacity of the assault was too much
for MIR. Choate, more especially as he felt
that he committed himself by his untoward
intimidation. lie was confused and cmbar-
rasscd, endcavorcd to qualify what he had
said, and finally averred that he had no au-
thority for the suggestion, and only express
cd his individual opinion, based I'll the
circumstances of the case. But MIR. Clay,
pcrcciving the dilemma in which he had
placed Mr.. Choatc, and evidently under the
impression that he was hitting Mr.. Webster
through his next friend, pressed his advan-
tage harshly, if not ungcnerously, and die
torial tone. The feeling of the Senate was
clearly in favor of MIR. Choatc. although it
was seen that he had made a great mistake
in the mode of sustaining the amendment.
lie was so rebuked and overawcd. and the
superiority of Mr. Clay was so manifest, that
the friends of Mr.. Webster were much NOR
tilted at the result. On the following day
Mr. Choate made spirited and manly ex-
PLANTATION, vindicating completely, but it had
the appearance of an aftcrthought, and the
effect was far less than if he hal spoken
promptly in his own justification.
Few men were capable Of coping with Mr..
Clay in a conversational discussion. His re-
sources were all at command, and he spoke
as forcibly on the spur of the moment as al
ter the most careful preparation. Mr. Choatc
had all the advantages OF superior genius
and reasoning faculties, as well more perfect
intellectual training, and yet he was over
borne and humiliated by the greater moral
and physical vigor of his antagonist.
A DOC WHICH DOES Nor Forget AN
INJURY.-Thcre is large Newfoundland
dog in this city, about ten years old, which
is doubtless one of the most knowing speci-
mems of the canine family. When it was
about six months of age, a couple of young
men, in order to have a little fun, tied tin
kettle to its tail and sent it running through
the streets 1t was sport for the boys: but
the act was never forgotten by the dog. Till
this day it shows signs of displcasure at the
sight of either of those young men. One of
them removed from the place. and several
years after the the tin kettle affair he was
visiting in the city, and called at the resi-
dencc of the dogs owner. The dog hearing
the voice of the young man inside the house,
resorted to number of devices to gain ad-
mission. Upon being admitted, it sprang
for the throat of the visitor, with jaws ex-
tended, The family interfered, of course,
and the dog was removed from the house.
From that day (when the kettle was tied
to it's taiD to this, neither of those young
men can enter the gate leading to the house
if the dog is at home. On one occasion a
beggcr called at the back door for something
to eat, and was plentifully supplied by the
good lady of the house. While passing out
through the yard, the begger threw away
some Of the food, the dog saw it. and taking
the unthankful solicitor of aims by the leg of
his pantaloons, walked him hurricdly out
through the gate. No bcggcr is permitted
by that dog to enter the gate since. A nc
gro once kicked this dog, and it has had
such disliking for all persons Of color since
that not one, with its permission, is allowed
on the premises. A few years since the
owner otthe dog was taken sick and died
The dog was most deeply affected by the
event, and refused to be comfortcd for many
days and weeks thereafter. When the bell
was tolled for the funeral the dog seemed to
understand its mournful import, and from
that day to this the tolling of the bell causes
the dog to break forth in most dismal wall
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