Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-12-13

anu lit mayor anu me nDeTS OI GIe cOuuCll were
invited to be present. and well do remember
the scene OF parting between these two grand
old men. One whose presence recalled to MEN,
DRY the sacrifices, the patriotism, the nobility Of
Our revolutionary faith erS and the other repre-
senting the country whose freedom had been
achieved by men contemporary with the illustri-
GUS guest Of the nation and with whom he had
acted with self abnegatiol seldom equalled in
the annals OF man, and as they claSpei each
other In q parting embrace the friendship of
France and the United States was sealed, and
has never been broken. A glow of pleasure pre-
va(ed every breast when it was announced That
the new frigate just completed at the Washing
ton navy yard had received the name of Brandy
wine in compliment to Lafayette and would
convey him back to his native land with sub
Stantial evidence in his possession that In the
remembrance OF his services to our country in
her deadly struggle for freedom, the great
American republic had not been ungrateful
THE DLSUNIoN AGITATION
Whether the influence of Lafayettes visit, or
the hope that the fears OF the removal of the
government might not be realized or from both
causes combined, the city began to make some
progress, when more serious danger than the
agitation OF the question OF It's removal to
another part of the country, presented Itself in
a threatened dlsuuion OF the states through an
1 pending defiance OF national authority In the
al empted Hullihcation of the laws OF Congress
by state government. After deep political eX-
ct ment in and out of Congress. the hero of
New Orleans who then occupied the PreSiden-
ttal chair, informed the nulltiers that "the
ion must and shall be preserved" and told
them mildly, but firmly, that the duty imposed
upon him by the Constitution, to enforce ODE
dience to the laws would be performed. They
believed him, hauled down their colors and that
danger to the union and to the city was averte1.
But very soon after another arose still more
Gus and difficult to overcome. The hydra
OF the slavery question began to develop its
powers for evil, and when the bill was intro
duced in Congress to admit Texas into the
urion, With restrictions to the extension OF
slavery. II required strenuous efforts OF the
ab!eSt and most patriotic men of both sections
to prevent separation OF the states. But the
violent spirit displayed on both sides in the dis
cuSs1on OF the question. had spread the seeds OF
diSuniOn broadcast. The line between the free
states and the slave states was rigidly drawn, and
the confidence in the union, and consequently in
the future OF the city. which the firm and decided
action OF President jackson in the threatened
nuliification OF the laws of Congress had in
S;,tred our citizens, received such violent Shock.
that its vitality was seriously impaired The
city dragged slowly along, laboring under
the incubus OF threatened diSunon, very
few men from the state seemed will
ing to hazard their capital in its improve
ment and those few stopped when the danger
reached its elimination, upon the Introduction
OF the bill in Congress to admit California at
the session OF 1919 and 80. The feeling that was
manifested on both sides was described by
Henry Clay, who said: In the legislative bodies
OF the Capitol, and of the states, twenty odl
furnaces were in full blast emitting heat. pas
sion and intemlerance. and dilfuSing them
throughout the whole extent OF the broad landu
And, for the first time. Daniel Webster was
willing to admit that the danger OF disunion
was imminent.
Henry Clay advanced to the front and intro
duced his historic compromise resolution, with
an appeal to the patriotism OF the Senate, which,
for impressive power has never been surpassed
and seldom equalled.
AN INTERVIEW WITH DANIEL WEBSTER.
Pending the debate on those resolutions, and
after the speech of Mr.. Clay, and the eyes of the
whole country had been conferred on Mr.. Web
an NIT,
much TO my surprise, | became connected
Every one looked to Webster with confidence in
his conservatism, and believed he would plant
himself firmly upon the compromises of the
Constitutions but he had remained SILENT and
III view OF the fact that he represented con
stituency which was composed OF the extreme
OF the extremists on the anti-slavery side of
the question, there WaSa feverish anxiety In the
Senate and in the public mind TO know how far
he could be influenced by the passions and preiI-
dices OF men who had been his lifelong friends,
and to whom he owed his political advance
menI But all seemed to forget that the queS-
ton was not one OF sentiment only. But it was
question whether the solemn compact made
between 1.-The fathers in framing the COnStitu-
ton should be faithfully observed or wlfully
disregarded. and in that issue the whole pollti-
cal life OF Daniel Webster was a sufficient as
SuranCe that he would be found in due time on
the side OF reason, justice and patriotism. /
had the happiness to enjoy the Intimate ac-
quaintance OF MIR. Webster, and had met him
and other Senators frequently in social and con-
Vivial circles. MIR. Webster was expected to adj
dress the Senate on Monday, March 7th and on
the evening OF Friday preceding Mr.. Mangum,
Mr. flanagan, and Mr.. Atchinson, called at my
house and Informed me that they had come to
speak TO Inc OF the compromise measures then
before the Senate, and said they believed l
could aid In securing their adoption. AS you may
We'll imagine was aStOniShed almost beyond
expression at the address OF Mr.. Mangum, but
asked how l could give any assistance to the
senate TO cXtricate the country from the dan
gers by which it was surrounded Mr., Man
r ifprp ,,at
you are particular friend of Mr.. Web
Ster. We have not been able to find him
AID 1t Is of the utmost Importance to the peace
OF the country that something definite In ad
vance of his expected speech on Monday should
be Known. For as he goes so go the resolutions
ana upon him, more than upon any man at this
sine, hangs the fate OF The Union, and you will
render an important service If you can prevail
upon him to support Mr. Clay's plan OF concilia-
iiOn.'
l was quite as anxious as the Senator. but |
felt extremely reluctant to intrude my opinions
and hopes on the great statesman. But upon
the request being repeated, consented to Call
on Mr. Webster. The next morning went TO
Ills house, and found him in his private Office.
he received Inc with his wGnted kindness. and
after brief conversation upon common topics
he asked, ii he owed my visit to any special
cause. replied, you will laugh at Inc when
eXl lain the object OF my call" He smiled and
drew himself up in listening attitude re-
lated the substance of my interview with the
Senators on the evening before. He made only
general remarks on the subject, and invited me
10 call the next day, Sunday. Ireturned on the
evening OF Sunday, and had a long conversation
with him on the condition OF the country and
awaited myself OF the opportunity to say his
support OF MI. ClayS rcSOfutiods would ensure
their adoption and restore confidence, and
would place him in the Presidential chair
where we all desired to see him. He thanked me
fOI my high opinion. and good wishes, but did
net get any expression from him OF the course
he would pursue on the mOmentOuS question
then pending in the Senate. But on the follow
ing day, the whole country learned again how
The great eXpounder OF the constitution" stood
on the question OF the union OF the state. when
from his place in the Senate chamber, he
achieved one OF the grandeSt triumphs ever ac-
corded TO man, and scattered to the winds the
destructive sOphislns OF the fire eaters of the
Solit and the fanatics OF the north.
Henry Clay and Daniel Webster. illustrious
men, whose names viii be handed down to the
leMoteSt generations or America, as the pa
tt.ot statesmen, who sacrificed their personal
rivalry and ambition on The altar OF their coun-
try, and stood hand to hand. between the oppoS-
unity aGdglcry, and with sublime, overwhelm-
ing eloquence, and resiStless logic. aWed them
both into silence and saved the union!
NEW START FOR WASHINGTON.
The adoption OF the compromise resolutions,
and The faithful execution Of the laws enacted
in pursuance of their spirit and intention seemed
to settle finally the disturbing questions between
the free and the slave states and our citizens
and strangers who brought their money to the
city. Their confidence in the stability of the
Union fully established. they went to work with
q Will, and the result OF their energy and enter