The Plymouth Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1878-1901, 1879-06-19


and ram it down the throat Of the
Senator; let him swallow it il he can" :"
Clay replied: II take it and hurl it
back in the face of the gentleman
with all the contempt with which it
was offered; and let him. for the rest
Of his life, keep the slander in the
casket where he keeps the other
SANDER" This was said with a ges-
ture to the cravat, understood by all
familiar with the politics Of that time,
referring to n boyhood indiscretion Of
Benton's. 1t was only with difficulty,
by the interposition Of Senators, that
an encounter between them was pre-
vented. The affair was quickly hush
ed up, but was much talked OF by
members at the time. Clay was un-
eqnalled socially. His manner. while
not pretentious, made all feel his
superiority. A highly accomplished
young lady, Miss Edwards, daughter
o. ex Governor Edwards OF Illinois,
and q relative OF Mr.. McCIain, had
been reared to venerate the great
Kentuckian. Being in Washington
she visited the capitol for the express
purpose OF seeing him. When Clay
was pointed out to her, as he sat lean
r. - l. Il =
In the most ungraceful position i'm
aginable, she exclaimed: Have 1
been taught to look upon that horrid
thing as god?' Governor L lwards
was warm friend Of Clay, and the
Senator came Immediately toan ante
room, in response TO a request from
Mr.. McClain. He was always suscep-
tible to the charms OF beautiful
woman. Upon being introduced,
Clay conducted Miss Edwards to a
seat, with the manners of a Chester
ac,d, and astonished her by his con-
versatioral powers. After their de-
parture she exclaimed: ~The half
has not been told; felt like 1 was
talking to the Almighty" These
were the opinions held by a woman
OF rare intellectual power aud refine
nent. OF Henry Clay in two situations.
He impressed all by his courtly bear
ing.
Honest John Davis" OF Vermont,
was member OF the thirty first
Congress, now remembered by but
few. He was called Cincinnatus by
his compeers. On ono occasion it
was important that he should make
speech during the long vacation. He
was found plowing corn, aud no en-
treaties could prevail upon him to
quit his farm until finally Ills friends
made up purse OF a hundred dollars
to hire man to take his place in the
field. He could have been nominated
and elected President at one time,
but he was wrecked on the rock that
has sunk the lives OF SO many men OF
bright prospects. John RlndolT h,
who by nature was very aristocratic,
resolved at ono time TO mix more
freely with the common people. Ex-
changing clothes with field hand.
he sailed forth. carrying only small
valise. T. big fellow came pulling
into the bar room OF the tavern where
he stopped the first night and order
ed o mint julep, as he was "nearly
dead with the heat" Directly after
wards another came In on the same
errand declaring himself to be "neur-
ly frozen to DEATH" Randolph step
ped up to the bar with an order for
the same beverage and the explana-
tion, Il like it," The room after
awhile became SO full OF tobacco
smoke from the pipes Of visitors that
1t was difficult to breathe. Randolph
lighted an immense. roll OF tobacco,
and walked complacently around
with it under his arm. To the re-
monstrances OF the others he replied:
I'm not smoking for pleasure, but in
self-defense. None had a keener
sense OF the ridiculous than had
John Randolph.
CHARLEY WALLACE.
Greencastle, Ind.. June 3.