The Plymouth Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1878-1901, 1879-06-19
A VETERANS MEMORIES.
Some Interesting Stories Never Before
Published.

Some Interesting Stories Never Before
Published.
From indianapolis News.
Tho men who were in the public
service with the giants, Webster. Clay,
Calhoun, Douglass, and the other
statesmen, so we'll known to the ell
ders OF the present generation, and
Of whom so little is known by the
younger men OF the day, have become
very few in numbers. Among those
who were In Congress with these
leaders is Hon. F. E. McClain, OF
Greencastle. Mr.. McClain was elect
ed to the thirty first Congress, WITH
out opposition. from his district In
Kentucky, and served two years,
when his failing health compelled him
to decline a denomination. He en-
dyed personal acquaintance with
Webster, Clay and the other great
men OF that body, and was a close
server OF them and the affairs OF the
time. He recently gave me some in
teresting "reminiscences never before
published. He was an admirer OF the
0rat0ry OF Webster, who. however, In
his intercourse with the mem bers
was very reclusive. though he tried
hard to be social. When be smiled,
1t reminded one OF a CHASTITY grin.
He was much more respectful to
his opponents than was Calhoun, who
would not tolerate any differing from
his opinions. Calhoun was unable to
be present at the opening OF the
session on account OF i'll health, and
it was evident he had not much long
er to live. In this connection there
is an anecdote OF Senator Benton
that has never been published. Ben
ton had met both Clay and Webster
in debate and was itching for a con-
test with Calhoun. When the latter
returned to his seat he made a bitter
speech agains; Benton's party, whose
friends expected him to reply. But
Benton took no notice of the attack.
Some OF bis friends, Mr.. McClain
among the number, asked for an ex-
planation. Drawing himself up with
all the digpity Imaginable, he replied
when the Almighty lays his hand
on a man take mine off,"
Benton was probably the most ego
tistical man America ever produced.
He had habit Of talking to himself,
and as he frequently passed the hotel
where Mr.. McClain, Col. Marshall OF
Kentucky and others were stopping.
1t became the subject OF frequent re-
mark. One evening Col. Marshall
accosted him with the inter rogation
Senator Benton. why do you talk to
yourself so much?" With great dig
nifty, Benton replied: Col. Marshall
Gao tell you very earnestly and very
truly why talk to myself. love to
talk to a great man, and love to
hear a great man talk" Benton also
had bout with Henry Clay on the
floor. which was carefully suppressed
from the newspapers. Clay had made
a direct attack on Benton, to which
the latter undertook to reply. AS q
wit and humorist he had not an equal
in Congress. Reading long adver-
tisement OF cure all from a newspa-
per, he sarcastically compared IL
with Clay's omnibus bill, then before
the house, saying that as. .Townsend's
was the only meritoiious sasarparilla,
so all the measures Incorporated iu
the bill were Objectionable until
gathered up by Mr.. Clay. He kept
the Senate In roar for some time
much to the chagrin of Clay, who
finally interrupted him with: when
Mr.. Benton was canvassing his dis
trict in Missouri. he opposed the ad-
mission of California as a state" Mr.
Benton replied: II want to say 10 the
distinguished Senator that gave that
the lie months ago, but | now release