The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-08-08
WASHINGTON FORTY YEARs-AGO.
THE INTELLECTUAL GIANTS OF THOSE DAY

THE INTELLECTUAL GIANTS OF THOSE DAYS
THE multiplication DEBATE-wEB-
sTER, HAYNE, CALHOUN, AND CLAY-THE
GREAT KENTUCKIAN IN SOCIAL LIFE
INTERESTING RECoLLECTIoNs.
From tie PHILADELPHIA Press.
My first visit to Washington was forty
years ago. The speeches of prominent men
in Congress had been long accustomed to
read and admire, and had listened with
interest to numberless anecdotes related by
those who had heard and conversed with
them, but had not enjoyed the advantage
of viewing these celebrated public charac-
ters in their proper persons. Among the
most distinguished were Clay, Calhoun,
and Webster. They were the ruling spirits;
being consummate debaters and having
attained pre-eminence by long career of
brilliant service, they held the same CON-
manding position in Congress that Pitt,
Fox, and Burke" the wondrous three ~
in their day occupied in the British Par
lament.
Not long before had occurred that grand
discussion on Foote's resolutions, which
for the eloquence and ability displayed is
unequalled in our Congressional annals.
1t was great field day in the Senate, and
the acknowledged champions were General
Hayne, of South Carolina, and Daniel
Webster. The former had entered the
Senate with a splendid reputation as the
Of he nd lu
deemed by his admiring friends invincible.
He led the assault most CALAMITY, and
made profound impression. A consulta-
ton was held, and it was determined that
the best talent on the other side must be
called out. Mr.. Webster was selected to
reply to General Hayne; he accepted the
duty, and what reply that magnificent
speech Numbered over this continent, to
the confusion of treason, and with the
effect of postponing for quarter of a cen
fury the preconcerted rebellion. A gentle
man from Charleston some years after
wards said that it was believed General
Hayne was killed by that speech, meaning
that he was mortified to death by his defeat.
There was no doubt an exaggeration in the
statement; but the self complacency of the
Southern orator received terrible shock in
this encounter.
The excitement of the occasion had sub
sided at the time of my visit, which was in
March, 1882. 1t had served, however, to
intensity my curiosity to see the heroes of
the strife. The morning after l arrived
was early at the Capitol and in the Senate
chamber, and was presented to Senators
Henry Clay and Daniel Webster shortly
before the Senate was called to order. My
introduction was by one whose position
claimed their attention, and their reception
was of course polite, but with difference:
Mr.. Webster's countenance, ever solemn
when in repose, scarcely relaxed into a
smile as he gave me his hand, and his first
words were an inquiry about the political
sentiments of my State in relation to the
important questions which were then agi-
Eating the nation. After short colloquy
he made his bow and proceeded to his desk.
held me by the hand and, his fine coun-
tenance beaming kindly, asked lit having
been mentioned that was from Pennsyl-
vania), "What part of the State, sir?"
and being told, "Ah," said he, 81 we'll
remember passing through that part of
Pennsylvania, l suppose before you we're
born (meaning to compliment me) at any
rate, more than twenty-five years ago: and
| must acknowledge have not seen any
district of country more thriving and pros
porous" He inquired when 1 came to
Washington, how long would remain, and
hoped l would enjoy my visit. While he
was thus pleasantly conversing the Vice
Presidents bell gave notice of the prayer
with which the morning session was open
ed. He continued to stand near me q was
in tho lobby until the Senate was called to
order, when, turning to me, he invited me
to dine with him on the following Thurs
day. owe have an executive session."
said he, ION that day, and our dinner hour
must accommodate itself to the occasion.
We dine at half-paSt o'clock"
afterwards learned to appreciate this
invitation, when informed that the dinner
was to be given to General FIR. de Paulo
Santander, the Colombian patriot, who had
been banished from his country by Bolivar
in 1928. Whilst he was in exile the Repub-
lie of Colombia had been divided, and he
had been recently elected President of New
Granada, his native State. On the eve of
his departure from the United States he
had come to Washington to pay his respects
to Mr.. Clay, the great friend and patron of
the South American republics.
My friend, who was one of the invited
guests, and l were punctual to the hour,
and were the first to arrive at Mr.. Clay's
On Thursday afternoon. Within
five minutes afterwards, General Santan-
der entered, and others followed in quick
succession. The Generals personal ap-
pearance was prepossessing. He was of
medium height, finely formed, had an oval
face with the Roman cast of features, fair
dark brown hair; he was
neatly dressed, and his department was
dignified and graceful. He at once entered
into conversation with Mr.. Clay, but spoke
with some difficulty, saying that he had
not mastered our language, and was better
versed in French than any other language
except his native Spanish, Mr.. Waggaman,
Senator from Louisiana, entering at this
Mr.. Clay, in presenting him to
General Santander, said: "I regret, Gen.
eral, that 1 cannot speak French, but my
friend, Mr.. W., converses fluently both in
French and Spanish"
There was seated around Mr.. Clay's table
that day a very distinguished company.
Mr.. Clay at the head, with Gen. Santander
on his right, and Vice President Calhoun
on his left; Mr.. Waggaman, by his request,
ris-a els; the rest distributed on either side.
There was Gen. Adair, of Kentucky, Gen.
Hayne, Mr.. John NJ. Clayton, of Delaware,
Mr.. Andrew Stewart, of Pennsylvania,
Mr.. Slade, of Vermont, Mr.. Thomas NJ.
of Kentucky, and it may be one
or mora Senators or REPRESENTATIVES. heSides