Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1881-05-19
"reminiscences of Ton. -Corwin.
Burlington, Iowa, Cor. Chicago Times.

Il knew Thomas COrwin WE'LL" said
Col, Sweeney. the host of the Barrett
House, an old Mexican veteran and Cal
ifornia pioneer, to group of interested
listeners seated about the stove. 1--WE
were boys together in Ohio. Black Tom
We called him when he was at school.
and BLACK Tom he remained till the
day of his death. Corwin amounted to
nothing after his celebrated speech in
the United States Senate in opposition
to the Mexican war, when in one of his
remarkable flights of impassioned elo-
qaenee he exclaimed: If were Mexi-
can as l am an American, would well
come the invaders with bloody hands to.
hospitable graves That speech was
job put up on Corwin by Webster and
others" said the old Colonel. Il have
heard Corwin, with tears in his eyes,say
SO himself. Webster and his friends
were at heart opposed to the Mexican
war, and they had determined to oppose
the voting of funds to carry it on. The
agreement was that Webster and others
should follow Corwin in speeches against
it. He was selected to make the first
speech, and an eloquent one it was; but
it raised such a howl of Indignation
throughout the country that the others
thought ii the better part of discretion
not to continae the opposition. So they
backed out and left poor Tom in the
lurch, as it were. by the by" said the
Colonel, II have good story to Tell on
Tom. which is partially aprOpos at this
day, when sending out SO many
big men. 1t WAS Just the same in Toms
day as it is now. and wish you all to
bear in mind, gentlemen. that l came
from Ohio" The Colonel, it may be
remarked, to catch the pith of his ill-
tended jest, stands fully six feet seven,
broad shouldered and powerfully built
Though verging on 20 years of age, his
form is straight as apine, and his step
las the elasticity of youth.
tom" he continued, "like great
many other ge0d and great men,. was
fond of the flowing bowl, and once in
while he would take drop too much.
1t was ON eOnvivial occasion when
Tom was present at banquet at the
National Hotel, in Washington, that he
was called upon to respond to the toast
of his native State, and must say that |
he acquitted himself with honor to the |
State and to the infinite satisfaction |
and amusement of all present, IN one of |
the most mirth-prOvoking post-prandial |
speeches Lever listened to. Arising
with all the dignity and gravity that |
Corwin only could assume, he acknowl- |
edged the honor conferred in calling
him to respond TO a compliment to the
State of Ohio. Then proceeding in a
strain, he exclaim-
ed: 'Ohioi Why, Mr.. President. while |
the United States, this grand Republic, |
has produced more great men than any
other country in the world, Ohio has pre-
duced more great men than any other
State in the Republic. 1t is matter
of histOry-mark that. Why, SIR said
he. Warren county, in the State Of Ohio,
has produced more great men than anyJ
other county in any State in the Union.
1t is a matter of history-mark that.
Sir, Turtle Greek township, in the coun-
ty of Warren, has produced more great |
men than any other township in any
county in any State in the Union. 1t
is matter of history mark that Then |
with merry twinkle in his black eye,
that for the first time betrayed the hu-
morous intent of the speaker, he added |
Gentlemen, that is the township that /
came from-mark that and he sat |
down amid the uproarious mirth and
side shaking laughter of the auditors
about the table