The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1878-02-07

but not Calhoun. He isa humbug, and
| won't do il, sirl'"
Mr.. Webster said that when Mr.. Cal
houn's lifeless body was brought into
the Senate, the Committee Of Arrange
ments, who had charge OF such matters,
of course selected from the contempo-
raries of Mr.. Calhoun such gentlemen
as they thought would esteem it privi-
lege to speak.
81 never in my life, said Mr.. Web
ster, performed more pleasing duty
at service of that kind-solemn and
touching; for had very great respect
| for Mr.. Calhoun. He was a man of
great worth, most sincere, upright
and with all the qualities, not only of a
very great man, but Of very estimable
one"
The committee invited Colonel Ben
ton to speak, not with the expectation
that he would consent TO do so, but be-
cause they thought il was due to his age
that he should have an opportunity at
such an hour, when everything should
be banished from the heart but kind
ness, to say word. But he declined
without comment. Mr.. Webster said :
ellis seat was directly opposite mine,
and when l was making the few re-
marks which the state of feelings would
allow, looked across and saw that
Benton had his back turned to the Sem
ate, and was twirling his spectacles in
attentively. So strong was the feeling
of dislike which he entertained for Mr..
Calhoun"
Mr.. Benton had all sorts of know
ledge, and seemed to have acquired
more political facts than any man Mr..
Webster had ever met; even more than
John Quincy Adams. He had a won
derful memory, and read everything,
and gave his whole time and attention
to politics, never practising his profess
sion. During the discussion on the
Oregan bill. Mr.. Benton made speech,
as did many other members, and near
the close of the debate, Mr.. Webster
was about to speak, and wanted to get
a book, of which he had an indistinct
recollection, for some geographical fact
to illustrate point in his remarks. 1t
was something that he had seen a great
many years before in book which was
now probably out of print. He only
knew the name of its author, but he set
to work to find it. He asked Peter
Force, who had collected a great politi-
cal library at Washington, but Force
could not find it. He then got the Ii
brarian of Congress to hunt for it, but
he also had no success. Mr.. Webster
was about giving it up in despair, when
it occurred to him to speak to Benton.
He went to him and said:
'You know everything, Colonel, and
where everything is. Have you any
recollection or knowledge of such a ge-
ography, such book or such an au-
thor?"
The Colonel stopped a moment to
think, and then replied:
81 know what you want; I'll see if |
can find it,
An hour afterwards Mr.. Webster
having LETT the Senate, returned to his
seat, and, as ne said to me. There, ly-
ing on my desk, was an immense book,
with a leaf turned down to the place
that | wanted to find, although | had
not said word as to the particular part
Of the book wanted to consult. With
out any suggestion of mine, Mr.. Ben
ton had guessed at what l wanted, and |
turned down the leaf. l looked up from
my desk to his, and there he was, bow
ing to me, as if to say, That's it, lido
not suppose there was another man who
could have found that book for meri'