The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1878-12-20
Webster and Benton.

OhN' u".N
Webster was seated in his library
the servant announced, "Mr. Viii
son. Of st. LOuis,' and John Wilson
came into the library. Mr.. Web
ster at once rose and greeted him
Narrating the visit to me, he said
Mr.. Wilson was gentleman
whom l had known more or less foi
a quarter of century; I; a lawyer OF
pretty extensive practice, with 4
good deal of talent; a man of very
violent prejudioes and temper, who
had spent most his public life, after
he had reached manhood, in vio
lent opposition to Col. Benton. 1t
was not SO much an opposition to
Col. Benton's democracy as it was
a personal feud, as bitter and ma.
liGnant as any that ever existed be.
tween two men. 1t was notorious
in st. Louis, that when Col. Benton
went on the stump John Wilson
would always be there to meet him
in the most virulent terms, and
then Mr.. Benton would return the
fire. | had not seen Mr.. Wilson for
good many years, and only met
him occasionally at court. He came
to me now IA broken down man, pre-
maturely old, with wrecked tor
tune, and after some conversation,
he said:
IL am going to emigrate to CalifOr,
MIA in my old age, Mr.. Webster; !
am poor, have IA family, and al
though it matters but little to me
for the short time that remains to
me, if | am poor, yet there are
hose whOare dear to tine, " hose con
dition | might improve by going to
IA new country and trying to mend
my fortunes. My object in calling
on you is to trouble you for "A letter
TO some one in California merely
to say that You knew me to be ii
respectable person, worthy of con
fidence."
After expressing my regret that
he was compelled to emigrate such
IA distauce-tor then it looked like
formidable undertaking to go to
California; asked him if was
fully determined.
Yes" said he, ~ have made
up my mind"
Then 1 set about thinking what |
could do for him. | saw no way to
give him assistance. | had no
particular influence with the gov
ernment at the time, and finally
said:
81 am sorry, Mr.. Wilson, to say
that, 80 tar as | AN aware, there is
not human being in California
that | know. If | were to give
you a letter to any one in Caiifor-
MIA, should not know to whom to
address it,"
THAT makes no difference" said
he, "everybody knows you, aud Il
certificate that you know me will
be the. most valuable testimonial
could have"
~ will write one with great
pleasure; although you probably
o, errate my name in California. |
want give you something that will
be of great benefit TO you. Let
me see, Mr.. Wilson. Col. Benton
almost owns California, aud he
could give you u letter to Fremont
and others that would be of first
rate service to you"
He looked me in the face, half
and half isquiringly, as
much as to say: "Cail it be posi-.
BILE that you are ignorant of the re.
lations between Col. Benton and
myselff
I" | understand what you mean.
| am perfectly well aware of the
past difficulties between you aud
Mr.. Benton, and the bitter personal
hostility that has existed. But |
want to say that redt change
bas come over Col. Benton since
you knew bin. His feelings and
sentiments have sottened. We are
getting older. Our fiery hot blood
s cooled aud changed. 1t is hard
y worth while for men, while they
are near the maximum of human
life TO indulge in those feelings of
,nmity aud ill-will. Ii is thing
We ought to rid ourselves of-Col.
Benton aud L have been engaged in
, war OF words, as you and be have,
lud, up to two OF three years ago,
ye went out of the same door for
ears without as much as saying
good morning to one another.
Vow | do not know man in the
enate to whom | would go with
more certainty of having favor
granted than Col. Benton. He
cells that age is coming upon him,
md he Is recOnciled to many of his
Interest opponents.
"Is thy servant \ dog, replied
"rhas he should do this