The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1880-01-22
Forty Years Ago.

Some interesting "reminiscences
were related by Capt. Bassett,
who served more than genreation
in the United States Senate: @I en-
tered the Senate" said Capt. Bassett,
In 1881, as page, through the infu-
ence of Daniel Webster. Mr.. Webster
wanted me to get acquainted thoroughly
with my duties. So during the year
1880 ] worked as a page during the
whole year for nothing. Up to 1881
there had been but one page to forty
eight Senators (the pages now number
fourteen) and there was great opposi-
ton among Senators to have more than
one. They said it was not to be thought
of, one was quite enough. But Daniel
Webster said that we must have his
boy in, and in went.
Speaking of Daniel Webster the
Captain said, "I remember one rainy
day Webster told me to go and get a
hack. hunted for long time and
came back wet and tired without find
ing any. Webster was very friendly
with me, and SO came to be quite IA
nliliar with him. On this occasion, be-
ing rather cross, I rushed up to Web
ster, and said with boyish rudeness, 4
can't find any hack Webster just
looked at me. But what glancel ]
would rather endure anything than an
other such glance. I felt like sinking
through the floor. Then Webster said,
Go and get that hack It is needless to
cay, the carriage was found"
I asked the Captain, one day, what
he thought of Webster's eloquence.
Have you ever seen anybody that
could make you laugh and cry at pleas
ureP Well, he could do il"
The Captain states as curious fact
that Daniel Webster always required
certain quantity Nof whisky before he
spoke.
The writer has heard, on very good
authority, thst on one occasion, the
Senate being in executive session,
Webster, wEo was in that stage when
the mind is most active, got up and
made brilliant speech. The question
was on the confirmation of some official.
Webster, with an entire forgetfulness of
the matter in hand, quoted an entire
play of Shakespeare. The Senate was
enthralled by Webster. Imagine play
of Shakespeare personated by Webster,
with his magnificent yoice and awful
presencel
! 1Rufus Choate,n continued the Gap
tain. always wanted a cup of strong
tea before he spoke.
a'Get me cup of tea,' he would say,
! tas hot as hell
@They speak of the eloquence of
Rufus Choate, but / would rather hear
Matt Carpenter, who studied in his
Office, I was present at the celebrated
Webster-Hayne debate
"Well, did Webster get the best ofit?"
They say SO. He got the best OF
the argument"
The way in which the Captain said this
inclines one to believe that his sympa-
thies were with the fiery Southerner.
The old man continued: vi re-
member the fight between Foote and
Benton, that famous one, the end of
which was that Foote waltzed down the
central aisle with a long pistol cooked
in his hand.
Benton jumped upon his desk, and,
throwing open his coat, cried, Shoot,
you villain"
Foote relates this in his book, but
he omits the jumping on the desk.
Bassett again: was present when
Brooks attacked Sumner. The circum-
stances which gave rise to the attack
are well known. Brooks came into
the Senate with cane in his hand. It
was gutta percha one-an evidences
to the contrary notwithstanding. Sum-
ner was writing, and Brooks came up
behind him and beat him over the head.
The blood covered the head of the SEN
ator, and he became senseless. / assist
ed him into the cloak-roem. The cane
was smashed to pieces, and I have a
piece yet in my possession