National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-08-12
A Good Thing saddlsd on the Right Man.

The Rochester Union says: The following
anecdote which recently appeared in one Of the
letters of "Burleigh" to the Boston Journal, is
going the rounds Of thu press and the hero there
Of is generally confounded with the Hon. Daniel
s. Dickinson:
A party Of gentlemen were together last week
and were telling old-time stories. One referred
to Senator Dickinson. He was not overlearned,
but was very shrewd. He knew absolutely
nothing of the classics, and was greatly annoyed
of into Freesoil and the burden Of the party was
on Dickinson's shoulders. A friend Of Van Buren,
was maze 1ee 5d II speech he
that noble Roman. Dickinson went over to seat
occupied BY Senator who was at home in all
that relates to the Romans. "Who Is this Curtis
the Senator was talking about ~ "Oh, he Is not
talking about Curtis at all. He Is talking Of o
noble Roman patriot. His name was Curtius, not
Curtis" "Well, what did he dofn "Why, in
the time Of great public calamity he threw HIM
self In the breach and saved his country" "Oh,
that's it. What did you say his name was ~
"An right. Thank you," said Dickinson, as he
went to his seat. As soon as the defender Of Van
Buren, took his seat, Dickinson arose, fresh, con-
fident, exuberant. He closed like q man fresh
from the classics. sand who is this Curtius, 20
whom the honorable Senator compared Martin
pa,Iot But un1ks %r Yan R5Isn He MAS
thus threw himself into the breach to save hts
country, but Martin Van Buren threw his coun-
try into the breach 10 save himself"
The Steuben County Courier, In commenting
upon the above, explains as follows:
The real subject Of the anecdote was Hon. A. B.
inson Of Rroome. The incident related must have
occurred in ls4o or 1871. In the fall OF 1889 A. B.
Dickinson was elected to the Senate from the old
Sixth Senatorial district, which extended from
Cataraugus county, on the west, to Chenango on
the east, (both inclusive,l and took his seat the
arst Of February, $40. Mr., Dickinson had been
date on account OF Mr.. Van Buren's sub-freasury,
hard-money policy: twas this policy, which was
under discussion In the Senate at that time re-
ferred to in 1870, We think, and It was old "Sam
Young" Of Saratoga,n our memory serves us,
who compared Martin Van Buren, 20 QuIntius
Curtius, who threw himself into the fsry abyss
his speech, Senator Dickinson passed over 70 the
seat Of Guilsn y. Verplanek, New York Sena-
Romans" and obtained the desired Information,
which he used 30 effectively against his Demo-
cratic antagonist This story was told Us many
years ago BY an intimste friend Of Senator A. 3.
Dickinson, and We have no doubt of It's correct
ness.
bray" Dickinson, as he was known among the
Without much education, as the above story
abundantly proves, he Was blessed with 0 great
deal Of common sense, was sharp and shre~d. and
had an extensive influence in western New YORK
On the incoming Of the administration OF Presi-
dent Lincoln he was commissioned as United
States Minister 70 Nicaragua, and died year or
inson, although self educated, was we'll educated,
and became well versed in classical literature II
Mouiu nhse peen In Poesipie Ior MN 70 nave Dc
trayed the ludicrous Ignorance above set forth.
With "Burleigh," which his name is Matthew
Hale Smith, accuracy would seem to be no object,
as witness the brief on "Fallen Minister'S" which
he furnished MIR. Beach, and the fslsties In which
kept that pleader in the confessional for several
days. The story, however, Is good one, and 1t Is
well to saddle It on the right man. Il reminds Us
I'VE don't know why-ot ex, Governor Wright and
Hon. Thomas II. Nelson, Of Indiana. Mr. Wright
had declared that the Democratic party was on
the forward march, and that the gates Of hell
would not prevail against II. Mr.. Nelson pictured
the party led BY Governor Wright marching
straight up to the gates Of hell, and they swing.
ing wide open 10 let the whole crowd In.