Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-02-21
did not deter him from taking his solitary morn
inc he rn he reorlrdpd indisnansahla

did not deter him from taking his solitary morn
ing baths, which he regarded as indispensable
to health.
Mr.. Adams took great interest in arboricul-
ture, and was constant reader of Evelyn. He
had planted in the grounds OF the White House
the acorns Of the cork-oak, black walnuts,
seeds, and he watched their termination and
growth with great interest. botanic garden
was established under his patronage. and naval
tribuuon the seeds of such grain and vegetables
as might seem desirable to naturalize.
He Henry Clay, as Secretary of State, was the
most important member of Mr.. Adams cabinet
He had obtained his position, it was asserted BY
bargain, and this was flung in his face with
great , pertinacity by his political opponents
encouraged the appointment OF a minister to
represent the United States in the Congress of
american Republics at Panama, although in
nounced as federalism. Mr. Clay. who had
never been a federalist, did not wish to be re-
garded as restorer Of the old federal party;
and he accordingly began to create the Whg
party, of which he naturally became the leader,
Mi: Clay made good Secretary of State; but
ms place was in Congress, for he was formed by
nature for popular orator. He was tall and
thin, with rather small head and gray eyes
which peered forth less voluminously than
Would have been expected in one possessing
such eminent control OF language. His nose was
straight, his upper lip long, and his underjaw
light. His mouth, of generous width straight
when he was silent, and curving up at the cor
ners as he spoke or smiled, was singularly grace
full, indicating more than any other feature the
elastic play Of his mind. When he enchained
large audiences, his features were lighted up by
winning smile, the gestures Of his long arms
were graceful, and the gentle accents of his
mellow voice were persuasive and winning. Yet
there has never been more imperiOus despot
In political affairs than Mr.. Clay. He regarded
himself as the head-center of his party-"L'etdt
cest mo-, and be wanted everything utilized
for his advancement. The other members Of
the cabinet soon eSpouSed his cause or became
the partisans of General Jackson, and Mr.. Adams
found himself deserted by those whose support
he had reason to expect.
The diary of Mr.. Adams shows that, while he
never complained to his cabinet that they had
deserted him, he felt bitterly disappointed that
he was not the choice of the politicians and Of
the people for reelection. He would not, how
ever, even write few pleasant words of thanks
(when asked to SOY to an editor who supported
hinI neither would he appoint to, or remove
from, Office any one because of an Individual
preference for or against himself. Distin-
the country, who would call on him While So
Journing at Washington, would be treated with
glacial frigidity, and perhaps be unceremoni-
walk, or ride on horseback. General Jackson
was meanwhile being brought before the public
under the direction Of Aaron BUR-, Martin Van
people" They had persuaded him to resign his
seat in the Senate OF the United States, where
he might have made political mistakes, and re-
tire to his farm in Tennessee, while they flooded
ploits and his social good qualities. Daniel
Webster told Samuel Brock, as the latter re-
cords in his diary, that he knew more than fifty
members OF Congress who had expended and
pledged all they were worth in setting up presses
and employing other means to forward Jack
sons election.
the basement of the Capitol, now occupied as
law library, which has an arched ceiling sup
ported by massive pillars that obstruct the
view, and was badly ventilated But 1t was
rich in traditions OF hair powder, cues, ruff1ed
shirts, knee-breeches, and buckles. At that
time no justice had ever sat upon the bench in
in boots, or wearing whiskers. Their honors,
the Chief Justice and Justices wearing silk judi
cial robes, were treated with the most profound
respect. When MIR. Clay stopped one day, in
an argument, and advancing to the bench took
pinch of snuff from Judge WashlngtOn's box
saying, 81 perceive that your honor sticks to
it excited establishment and admiration. "Sir,'
said Mr.. Justice Story, in relating the circum-
stance to a friend, II do not believe there Is a
man in the United States who could have done
Mr.. Justice Washington, who inherited Mount
Vernon, where his remains lie inferred near
those OF his Industrious uncle, George Washing
ton, was small. Notwithstanding man, de-
prived OF the sight of one eye by excessive study
He was rigid disciplinarian and great stick
Ter for etiquette and on one occasion he sat for
sixteen hours without leaving the bench He
was also man OF rare humor. One day. as the
judges were disrobing, after having heard Sena-
tor 1sham Talbot, OF Kentucky, argue a case
with extraordinary rapidity Of utterance, re-
marked, '.Well, a person of moderate wishes
could hardly desire to live longer than the time
1t would take Brother Talbot to repeat moder-
ately that four hours speech we have Just
heard"
Chief Justice Marshall, who had then presided
in the Supreme Court for more than quarter
OF century, was one of the last survivors OF
those officers of the revolutionary army who had
entered into civil service. He was TALL gaunt
man, with small head and bright black eyes.
He used to wear an unbrushed, long -skirted
black coat, a badly fitting waiStcoat, and knee
breecheS a yoiumfnouS white cambria cravat,
generally soiled, and black worSted stockings,
with low shoes and silver buckles. He was a
rapid walker, and he never wore an outer gar
ment, even in the most inclement weather. A
great Judge, prominent among the mighty intek
lectS Of his epoch, and uniting infleXible hon
esty with rare genius he was greatly endeared
TO those who knew him in private life, and his
LONELINESS and slovenliness were attractive, as
epicureS value the cobwebS on a bottle of old
wine. Pitching quoitS was his fayorite amuSe-
ment, and when his iron circle ''rung the Meg y
or so fell that it encircled the peg at which he
had thrown it. he exhibited childish Joy.
Mr.. Chief Justice Marshall was originally a
thought that If General jackson should be
elected President he would resign and Mr.. JUS
tice johnson, of South Carolina, would be made
Chief Justice ''Then," predicted Daniel Web
ster, Sin half an hour Mr.. Justice Washington
and Mr.. Story Will resign. A majority will be
left with Mr. Johnson, and every constitutional
decision heretofore made will be reversed. -
tice Marshall remained on the bench until his
death, which occurred near the middle OF Gene
raj Jacksons presidential term.