The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1877-12-22
ANECDOTES OF FAMOUS MEN.

ster to be published las it has been) after his
(the biographer's) own DEATH The book
abounds in personal anecdotes, and among
these are two which portray characteristics
of the three famous Americans, Webster,
Benton and Calhoun. There are many per-
sons living who can recall the thrill of hor-
ror which ran through the country during
Mr.. Tyler's administration, caused by the
explosion ofthe great gun called "The Peace
maker" on board the U. S. ship Princeton.
Col. Benton, the distinguished Senator from |
Missouri, was among the party of excursion
lists on the Princeton. Up to the day of the
casualty, Col. Benton, and Mr.. Webster had |
been estranged and for many years, as Mr. |
Webster informed his biographer, the two |
Senators passed each other without recog-
milton. They never had any intercourse,
except such as was official and where it
could not be avoided.
After that days fearful experience and
narrow escape, Colonel Benton called on Mr.,
Webster. He related as one of the incidents
Of the day the following; He had secured
what he thought the very best place on the
deck to witness the experiment with the
monster gun. Just before the piece was
fired some one touched Col Benton's shoul-
der, wishing to speak to him. He turned
round, and was crowded out of his place.
The person who secured his position was
Ex-Governor Gilmer, Secretary of the Navy.
The piece exploded, and Secretary Glimer
was killed instantly. Colonel Benton was
thrown down, but not injured. In relating
this circumstance to the Massachusetts,
Senator, Colonel Benton said: at seemed to
me, Mr.. Webster, as if that touch on the
shoulder was the hand of the Almighty,
stretched down there, drawing me away
from instantaneous death. That one cir
eumstance has changed the whole current
of my thoughts and life. feel that am
different man, and l want, in the first place,
to be at peace with all those with whom l
have been so sharply at variance. And so l
have come to you. Let us bury the hatchet,
Mr.. Webster" "Nothing," replied Mr..
Webster, "could be more in accordance with
my own feelings" And the compact was
made. This anecdote may place Col. Ben
ton in an aspect new to many readers, but
it is not new to his friends.
When Webster was preparing his famous
speech, in March, 1850, Mr. Calhoun was
lying very i'll, in the old Capitol building.
Mr.. Webster called on him, and the CONVEX
sation turning on the intended speech, Mr..
Calhoun expressed an earnest desire to hear
it. Mr.. Webster hoped he would do so, as
he himself was anxious that Mr.. Calhoun
should be present. Mr.. Calhoun shook his
head, and said that he feared he was on his
death bed; and Mr.. Webster left him, fully
impressed with the belief that the venerable
statesman would soon pass away,
The Senate chamber was crowded to the
utmost on the day of Mr.. Webster's speech
In the course of it the orator alluded to Mr.
Calhoun as the distinguished and venerable
Senator from South Carolina. Again re.
ferring to some statement made by Mr.. Cal
houn, Mr.. Webster referred to him as "tht
we all regret to mics, from such O cause
from his seat to-day" A feeble and hollow
voice, yet distinctly heard throughout tn,
chamber, responded, "The Senator from
South Carolina is in his seat" Mr.. Calhoun
had left his bed at the risk of death to hea
his friend. Until he spoke, Mr.. Webste
was entirely unware of his presence. II
turned suddenly, and for moment Shove,
deep emotion. Then acknowledging tn
compliment of Mr. Calhoun's presence wit
bow and smile of profound satisfaction
Mr.. Webster went on with his speech. 7
this scene Mr.. Harvey was an eye-witnes
The speech was made on the 7th of March
on the 3lst Calhoun died.
To this narrative of touching charactC
another may be added of different natui
that was widely published years ago. 1t
trife but trihes are indicative of characte
Webster and Calhoun were standing on Il
steps of Gadsby's, then the hotel in Wasl
ington. A drove Of mules passed. "We
Eter," said the Carolina Senator, "there
some Of your constituents" "Yes, ,"respon,
ed Massachusetts,, "on their way South
teach school," Give and take were nev
better illustrated or in better humor. A
other anecdote-not in Harvey we beiey
us possibly the last was not-and we ha
done. Tariff alterations always bring stroi
delegations from both sides to Washingto
At time when the subject of revision W
in contemplation, New York sugar rein
was drawn to Washington. He got befc
the Committee as a witness, but wished
could once speak in the Senate, and "nc
plus those fools" as he styled honoral
Senators. "Take care" said Mr. Webste
"Thats contempt, Say it again, and y
shall be summoned to the bar of the Senat
He did say it again, and was summon
and made his defense, purgation and hu
BILE apology, including just what he wan
TO say about the tariff, and much more m
ter which resembled the off items in an
" for other purposes" No one was m
amused than Mr.. Calhoun, who was in
secret, and one of the fools" This !