The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-02-08

we were SlttinB IN tne tap-rOom iOur us
tinguished. looking men passed up stairs
and entered a small room. Inquired as
to whom they were and was informed
that they were Ex.President Jefferson,
Ex-President Madison, Chief Justice
Marshall and. L at once deter
mined to see them and knocked at the
door of their room. Mr.. Jefferson came
to the door, and L stated that we were
Georgians who desired to pay our re-
spects to himself and his friends. He
took us cordially by the hand, and in
troduced us to the company. Mr.. Madi-
son was sitting in corner, with his
head tied up in a handkerchief, and
merely grunted when we were presented.
We soon secured attention, as we had
just left Washington and bore these dis
tinguished men the first news they had
of the Missouri Compromise, When we
left, after an hours stay, Mr.. Jefferson
followed us to the door. He took our
hands in his and bending his head for
ward-it was as fiat as board on top
said " Go home, young gentlemen, and
prepare to devote your talents and your
lives to the service of your country.
This Compromise has only scotched the
snake, not killed it, and it will yet tear
this country assunder. The South will
need your services" How prophetic
were these words. have since given
the lives of my sons to the service he
then dedicated me.''
"Was there much open talk of seces-
sion them"
I" Let me tell you of scene in Mr..
Crawford's room just prior to the pas
sage of that compromise. William III.
Crawford, of Georgia, was then the
most powerful man in Washington. His
room was the rendezvous of band of
lofty and ardent spirits, such as Loundes,
Calhoun, Clay, Troup, Randolph, For
syth. He would have been the candi-
date of his party to succeed Madison had
he not declined to oppose Mr.. Monroe.
He was sent to France as Minister to
succeed Mr.. Livingstone, who was hard
of hearing. Crawford could not speak
French, and Napoleon said after his re-
Senators, one of whom was deaf and
the other dumb On the night speak
of there was a meeting at Crawford's
rooms to discuss the Missouri question.
Mr.. Holmes, of Maine, was present
Mr.. Crawford was lying, as was his wont,
on a sofa. Addressing the Southern
men present he told them that if they
held slavery of more importance than
the Union the time had come for them to
secede, but if they thought the Union of
more Importance than slavery they must
go home and begin gradual emancipa-
ton. He added that the slave States
were strong enough then to go in peace
and preserve their institutions, but that
they could never hope to maintain sla-
very in the Union" At this Mr.. Ran
dolph jumped up and said:
"Then let us go, and at once. Mr..
Clay will be here tomorrow. 1 have
not spoken to the fellow for years, but L
will go to him tomorrow and beg him
to go to his people and urge them to quit
the Union. I will go and urge mine to
do the same and will follow his leader
ship to the last"
"Can Mr.. Randolph be in earnestp"
asked Mr.. Holmes, of Maine.
Intensely So" replied Mr.. Crawford; !;
"and the course of your people, Mr..
Holmes, are forcing Mr.. Randolph's
views upon the people of the whole
South"
The next day Mr.. Clay arrived from
the West. The greatest anxiety was felt
as to his course. His influence was tre-
mendous, and the West especially was
training under his lead. 1 shall never
forget the scene when Mr.. Clay entered
the House the next morning. He was
dressed in spotless black and pale and
majestic he walked down the aisle with
the slouching stride of the race horse.
By an involuntary movement every
member rose to his feet, in courtesy to
the great man. Mr.. Randolph stepped
into the aisle to meet him. When CLAY
saw him he seemed to grow foot in
height, but his face never lost its tran
guilty. Mr.. Randolph was very much
excited and said: Good morning, Mr..
Clay"
Mr.. Clay bowed politely. Randolph
then went on excitedly:
81 have duty to perform-so have
you, sir. Leave your seat here as will