Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-10-23
REMINISCENCES OF WASHING
TON.
stephen a. Douglas and Daniel
Webster i'm TyIersS Time.


General jackson had been enlisted In the an.
nexation OF Texas. and as an acknowledgment
of his services the friends OF the measure ia Con-
passd h Law ad nn nne ., one h Inop
Judge Hall. al New Orleans, twenty. five years
before. Ii was for contempt OF court, 10 retus-
ing 10 produce. IN obedience 10 writ or hlbedS
corpus, a citizen arrested by his orders under
the martial law which he had proclaimed.
stephen A. Douglas, who had just entered
congress as one or the seven REPRESENTATIVES
from Illinois, was prominent in procuring the
passage OF The bill refunding The nne, anu when
he afterward visited the Hermitage he received
.,sheiai Jacksons earnest thanks Il lett Ger.
tain In my own mind said the general, THAT
was not guilty OF violating the constitution.
But could never make out a legal Justification
OF my course. nor has IL ever been done, sir,
until you, on the floor OF Congress. established
II oe!ona the possibility OF doubt thank you,
sir, Tor that speech"
This was the first move made by Mr. Douglas
IN his canvass for the presidency. but he was
soon prominent IN that class or candidates OF
whom Senator William Allen, OF Ohio said,
Sir. they are going about the country like dry
goods drummers, exhibiting samples OF their
wares" Always on the alert 10 make new
fienGS and 10 retain old ones he was not only
vigorous hand shaker, but he would throw
his arms fondly around n man, as II be possessed
TIE first place in his heart. No statement was
too chafy or truth In It's composition. parts;
mahoeuNre was too openly dishonest. no polIti-
cal pathN ay WAS TOO dangerous II an opporUu-
hii! Mas Afforded foT making point FOR Doug
as. He YVES industrious AID SPACIOUS CLOTH
language, and standing Ike a lion al bay when
Op posed.
Mr. Douglas had herculean franz, with the
! exception OF bis lower limbs. which were short
and small, dwariing what otherwise would have
been conspicuous figure, and he was popu-
arly known as 1.-The Little Giant. HIS large
round head surmounted massive meek. ana
his features Were symmetrical, although
bis small nose deprived them OF dignity. His
dark eyes, peering from beneath projecting
orows, cleaned with energy, mixed with au
n a ra..tr.-
| lips were generally stained at tue corners OF
his mouth with tobacco Juice. HIS voice was
| neither musical nor soft, and his gestures were
| hot graceful But he would speak for hours In
| clear, welenunCiated tones. and the sharp
Illinois attorney soon developed into the states
| man al Washington.
Daniel Webster continued 10 PASS his winters
| al Washington after he left the Department OF
State, attending TO his large practice before the
| supreme Court He had been coldiy received
| on his return TO Massachusetts,, after having
been the recognized premier OF John Tyler's adj
| ministration, and he spoke 10 a friend with some
bitterness OF some or - the solid men or Boston,
| as sixty day fellows, with their three DAYS
! grace" In his minds eye he doubtless cav
| some or them " wondering whether certain prom
| lssOry notes upon which they had put their
| names would be paid 10y him or 10y them Nor
would he admit that because OF the pecuniary
| aid given him, he was modestly to retire into
4 the rear rank, ana let wealthy cotton spinner
stand foremost among the wings or MaSsachu-
| sets.
The most important case conducted by Nj.
| WEBSTER was an action brought by the heirs OF
| stephen Glrard. TO recover his beQueSt for the
| establishment or college. Mr.. Webster took
| the broad ground that the plan or education at
| the Girard College was derogatory TO the Chris
| Tan religion, contrary TO sound morals, ana SUBJ
| Vels1ye OF law. He spoke for three days. but he
| could not answer the arguments OF MeSSrS.
| BnIey and Sergeant. the ableSt lawyers of
| Philadelphia, who defended the bequest and
| gained the suit. Mr.. Justice Story. In deliver
ing the opinion OF the court, said that the case
bad been 'argued with great learning AID abll-
| ity."
Nj. Webster entertained a great many WIS.,
| TORS. and his demeanor In his own house was
| oellghuuL Naturally generous and hOSpltable,
| he welcomed his guests alike a fine old English
| gentleman" and had for each pleasant word
| or a Renaissance OF the past. Sitting at the
mead or his table, Mr.. Webster always carved
| Tie principal dishes with the deXterity OF an
| anatomfSt, seasoning the repaSt with WITH
clams, anecdotes, and quotations.-Nocentbef
| Atlantic.