Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1877-10-09
other, MIR. Lucas was elected aud served 10

ing meulpef, makiuS Few speeches, out lnoe.
fstigable in the committee reoD: His rela>
tions with President Tyler and his cabinet
were intimate and cordial.
lie. was on board of thelill-fated Princeton
on the 2sth of February, 1914, at the time
of the bursting of the Mammoth gun called
the "Peacsmsker," and to the end of his life
preserved distinct recollection of that APP
palling calamity. How wildly he could
narrate the sad story. Those realistic partio-
ulars, which only an eye witness can give OF
any scene, the actors, the place, The joyous
opening of the day, and its terrible close,
how Rembrandt-like the tragic story was as
it fell from the lips Of the. impressive old
man. 1t was q painful subject to him, and
he rarely spoke of it. 1t is to DO hoped he
has left behind him an account of that great
national calamity, by which the illustrious
Secretary of State, Abel P. Upshur, and tho
gallant Gilmer of the Navy, with other dis
tingushed men, fell CHASTITY mutilated victims
on the deck of the Princeton. Mr.. Lucas
was the first person Who'll picked up and
helped to resuecitate Thomas 81. Benton, as
he lay wounded and insensble on the SHAFT
tered deck. President Tyler had but mo-
ment before the explosion descended to the
cabin That evening, as he was entering his
carriage at the Washington wharf, and while
the mournful cortege was leaving the ship,
the Presidents horses took fright and ran
away, killing the driver and dashing up the
street like mad =; but for the second time
that day his life was almost miraculously
spared. Luck for Tyler" said Mr.. Lucas
with smile 'the horses headed for the
White House where they were overhau!ed
and stopped, and the President descended in
a short distance of his OWN door without
scratch or hurt but" he added with mer-
ry twinkle of his eye, she was awfully
shaken up and scared" "Take him for all
in ALL" exclaimed MIR. Lucas, she was the
luckiest man 1 ever knew-was that same
John Ty Ter, of James City county, Virginia"
With the exception Of the assassination of
Mr.. Lincoln, this distressing affair evoked
deeper and more universal grief throughout
all parts of the Union than has ever been
called forth by any other visitation in our
history.
Mr.. Lucas's welI-known courage and Stern
temperament made him an authority among
those:who recognized what rs f1lsely called the
Code of Honor. He was the second of Gov
ernor Francis Thomas in that gentleman's
duel, thirty five years ago, with William
Price, afterwards called ."Tresson Billy a
hickman givcnsh i'm on:sccount of his hav
ing bsought forward dorIag the war Of
l861-65 treason bill in the Maryland Legis-
lature. The duel took place. near Berkeley
Springs, Virginia. Reverdy johnson was
MI. Prices second. Dr. Nathan r. Smith,
the Emperor Of tho medical profession, was
the surgeon on the occasion, but happily his
services were no. brought into requisition
After one exchange of shots between the
principals, Mr. Lucas dictated with his usual
coolnes and decision of character, and Rev
erdy Johnson wrote out on the crown Of MIR.
LIS hat, the terms of an honorable adjust
ment Mr.. Lucas understood as we'll as any
man alive how to enjoy the "raPture Of the
strife - or as somebody once amusiogly said,
she would fight rattIesuake, and give him
the first bite" Hence, when it became
known that he was the author of the Thomas
Price adjustment all sides were satisfied, and
no blood was shed.
In politics the deceased gentleman was a
Democrat of the Jctfersonian school. He
was grounded IN principles, and had forgotten
more about public affairs and Federal and
State policies than would make the reputation
of half dozen latter. day Statesman. His
knowledge of our constitutional history was
profound. He regarded Alexander II.
Stephens Constitutional TIcp as the greatest
work of the kind which has ever appeared
in the United States. He searched subject
through and through with keen analysis, and
was unmcrciful ON all shams and demagogues.
He would strip the mask from pretender
with blunt sledge hammer strokes, and make
him fairly writhe again. Yet, withal, lie
had warm heart, and was a man of sturdy
attachments. His great insight into charac-
ter rendered him one Of tho last persons in
the world to be deceived, and one of the
first to discern merit in others. As lie ad-
vanced in life, he loved to ST. at his door in
summer, or at the fresde in winter, with
some congenial companions, and talk Of the
'brave days of DID," He was quite we'll &C.
quainted with Webster, Clay. Calhoun, jack
son, John Quincy Adams, John Randolph,
McDufie, Silas Wright, Mcdowell, Wud
di0inun, conci2ium-those massy pillars of the
Republic, whose loss he maintained was irre>
parable, as they left mono behind them to take
their place. I'VE would have had no war;"
he often said, ''if We had had such men in
WASHINGTON from 1850 to 1860 as Here there