New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-09-13


was divine institution and the political
equality of the negro was not to be tolerated
by white American eitazens.
THE LETTER
TO The Editor Of me tribune.
SIR: have read with much interest recently
book entitled a CaSk-t OF "Reminiscences" by tho
late Hon. Henry Feote. in which are portrayed many
very interesting anecdotes of pnbhc men who took
part in the exciting and events that occurred
at the time he occupied seat In the United States
Senate especially while the XAIXth Congress was
in session. Some Of the NEST thrilling events Of
those times of winch / was personally cognizant
are not referred to- however, in his Casket,' for
the obvious reason that if they were fnlly aud
truthfully portrayed they might not he " garded
as altogether crcditable TO ,the author for ex-
ample the scenes that were witnessed IN the senate
during the discussion upon the compromise
measure OF 1880, or rather that bill OF abomna-
tions called the Omnibus Bill y; the gallant fghs
made by Old Colonel Thomas II. Benton, or Old
Bullion as he was called, against the bill; the
thrilling pistol scene open Senate IN which tho
author was a prominent actcT. ANA the failure 10
intinidate the old lion either in debate or With ire
arms.
"reminiscences of "A verv interesting character are
also omitted which would have enlightened the
present generation rs to the way IN which Demo
cratic Senators and Representatives. in those
halcyon days of Democrat rule became suddenly
rich and how bankers brokers and money shavers
m the Capital laid the foundations OF their fortunes
as mllicnaires. Among the latter class was tho
present candidate OF the Democracy for Vice PIesi
dent. Some OF these interesting Incidents omitted
| in the oX-Senator's CasEet OF "reminiscences
propose to furnish; but before doing SO. yoV viii
please allow little digression in the way of ex-
/ l,r- I .f,. "
cognizant of the incidents referred to.
| JOSHUA r. GlpDtvGs', FEAELE-s HEROfsM.
nls47 | was resident of Cleveland. ONO, and
associate editor and part owner of what was then
called Tie True DeBi0crat The CicreiaRd L,ddr.
| a paper which started in i iG rs the exponent OF
the anti-slayery sentiment of the Wing party.
| Joshua X. Gddings one Of its principal sup
! porters-a graud old man, ard heroic champion OF
| the principles of liberty and the inaenable nights
of poor and oppressed, fearless and untiring IN
their defence his life often threatened the pistol
the bludgcon, and the bowie knife often used in
the very halls of legislation by the Democratic oil
earchv to intimidate him, yet flincling, but
ever true to his purpose. Little did think in
| those dark days when the slaye-powcr predomi-
mated in Church and state. and enforced obedience
TO It's mandates from all classes throughout the
! land that in my day those principles which he
PROMULGATED and 50 nobly defended for twenty
years in Congress would become the foundation
princpeS or Cornerstone Of great party. and that
his successor the gallant and noble statesman upon
whom his mantle has fallen, would be the standard
bearer of that party for President of the United
States. Verify, as he wont to say There is a
| God in Israel"
W. H. ENGLGSifs ARRIVAL N WASHINGTON.
| Twas urged by Mr.. Giddings 10 visit Washington
and correspond for The Democrat and also for The
| Boston Uhg in which Charles Sumner and Charles
| Francis Adams We're then interested. Accordingly
took up my quarters here early in December,
| 1917 as 4 correspondent, and among my early
| acuuaintances during the sessions of the ANINth
Congress were two gentlemen from Indiana. one by
the name of Cole the other W. II. English whom
Jesse H. Bright brought here. when he entered upon
his dutic, as Senator at the opening of the
XXVIIlth Congress, and placed IN the second
Auditors Office of the Treasury clerk, at salary
of 81 100. Cole was a fcllow-boarder at !the salns
house at viii h lyel-a generous-heartcd man.
aud as free to communicate information a. news
paper corresuonlcnts are eager To obtain it. From
| him | learned and noted some OF the important
facts and incidents not chronicled IN any "casket
| Of "reminiscences
Texas had been admitted into the Union. but she
| was nearly bankrupt. Her stocks were almost
worthless and measures cOncoctot by Sam
Houston. Bright. and other Democrats III tho
Sci ate and House 90 compel the Government 10
assume her financial obligations lrior 10 tins.
however. many of the leading members of both
branches of Congress had invested all the money
they could raise in Texas stocks. then selling
| ot 10 to - cents on the dollar. senator Bright
onerated through English, and, as Col- informed
me invested AL ms own money anu HiI he 'oulu
borrow IN these stocks
When these stocks had been gathered IN ly these
on.ratOrs iE and out OF Congress, there was 10
difficulty in compelling the Government 10 furnish
tn. fO
quItous :" Ten Million Bill was pushed through.
eol,Rs rolens and the stocks at once leaptd up to
par Bright and his coadiutOrs in Congress were
| made prosperous and happy, and ihelr cop@rceneis
outside shared in the general joy and fruits OF that
| Democratic measure: 49,. -;
oprrat or in shnvnr the notes OF Department CLERKS
Washington. in those days was rlch harNe 81 heid
for those who hau the means to SIc'n upon tho
| necessities of their fellow men. The city was
filled with gambling dens, and the great mass OK
| t;nvrrunent employees who irequcntcil those places
were tho constant patrons OF the money lender ana
usurer.
ENGLISH AS A NOTE-sHAyER.
English and a (cllow-clerk OF his 10y the name OF
Robinson were the most extensive aud sue
ce,sful operators in the city in shaving The notes
| of their fellow clerks. ana they had facilities for
| onerotinq together in collecting their usurlous
,oirs of ! 10 and - per cent n month. which
| only a few Others possessed. They had n" heart or
| frrlnr for tne numerous victims upon whose me-
crssites they specuaitd. and no conslderations OF
| deserted homes OF "oud ''"IN p'., ~"
from exacting their legal dncs AZ the beginning
| of President Taylors Administration, they were
| among the first whose services we're dispensed
with Robinson vent To MS "od kentucky
| home To attend 10 his dogs and negroes, and Ing
| GSL had accumulated sufficient 10 enable him "a
: enter upon a wider field ~ broker and banker 10
: | his own state and soon amaSSed a large fortune
| wur.E nu cor III PRO-sIANtRY PRINCIPLES.
But there was another striking characteristic o.
this man English besides his im0r,iinate ayaricious
a r... IN which | wish 10 call attention. He wa
an intense pro-slavery man. hater and reyiler o
all anti slavery sentiment and effort IL is sai'
4 that these error, and SINS OF his youth should no