National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-06-24
FORMER STATESMEN.
a GLANCE IN AN OLD LETrER-BooK.
Meeting with Colonel Sam Strong Furnishes an
Opportunity for Inspecting Many Letters
Received from Men or Promi-
nenec In the Past.

No one has an idea Of the number OF interesting
characters who are atprcsent residingin Washing-
| ton. Those who are now upon the active stage Of
life in political position, not meant but rather
those whose activity In public matters has been In
the past; who have held positions of honor and
| trust in years gone by; who have done yeoman
service for their party when they were In the
prime Of their strength, but who have gradually
dropped out Of the political arena and have chosen
| the more quiet paths OF private business. Among
those who may be placed In this cate
CORY Is gentleman well known to all
| the older citizens OF Washington and TO most OF
these who have come here during later years. His
large, well-shaped head has still healthy cover
ing Of iron gray hair, and his close cropped beard
| gives an outline Of the square, firm chin that In
dicn,es the indomiiable perseverance OF his char.
ncter. His forehead Is broad and the eyes that
| look out from beneath are keen and penetrating
| In their glance, albeit they have merry twinkle,
showing an appreciation Of humor and fun. His
20 years, Il still robust aud vigorous. showing that
| age has not impaired his vigorous energy: Such
man Is Colonel samuel strong inc wei p xow ,
| other day as he was walking down the avenue
with good sized book under his arm; " Well,
| colonel you look hale and nearly" said the re-
porter. "old age don't seem to have got any grip
on you yet"
though am not quite as active as once was.
But am good for n deal of work still. Within the
| last year travelled way down to Mexico to LOOK
after some mines that am interested In there, and
stood the journey as well as younger men VINO
accompanied me-"
onel," remarked the reporter, Judging from the
persisteney with which you fight the District gov
ernment In your suits"
| due, and that is ALL" rejoined Colonel Strong.
| They can't fool me, know what the rights of q
contractor are Why have been contracting all
my life nearly. built the Zig bridge across the
James River at Richmond that was lately dcs
| troyed by fire. was the superintendent of tho
Capitol extension for number OF years, and
have contracts that were drawn before you were
| born right here in this book" and the Colonel
slapped the book which he carried under his
| arm
"Let me see the book" said the reporter.
ats nothing but letter book" replied Colonel
Strong, "but you may Hook at IT," and he handed
| the volume over. When the reporter took tho
| book he found he had struck bonanza in the
way of autograph letters, all mixed with con-
tracts for various public works which tho colonel
| had erected The newsgatherer didn't care
copper for the contracts but he eagerly scanned
the notes of statesmen long since gone to join the
| Congress In the skies, or elsewhere. large
number were requests from the distinguished
| Legislators that the Colonel would put some poor
| constituent to work on the Capitol Extension
the most perSistent seemed to be Stephen A. Doug
| lass and William H. Seward, and it was surprising
| how confidential they would get when they
wanted n favor done. A singular inct was that in
all the requests OF the Little Giant as the Illinois
Senator was called, he never interceded for an
| American. born citizen, but always in behalf Of
some son of the Emerald Isle. Here is one OF his
nOteS, as sample:
MY DEAR SIR; Patrick Maroney, the bearer OF this
ds eS S W d T hS Been Shf n
my employment for the last two MONTHS and is
knew. feel an Interest in lis success and Shall feel
grateful to you for giving him employment
Mr.. STRONG, Superintendent Capitol
Mr.. Seward was more familiar in his relations
with Mr.. Strong, as the following note will show
| SENATE CHAMBER, May %.
| MY DEAR STRONG: Luke Clarke Is young Irish
by her very modest and tonchns request To- write
this letter asking you II possible to give him EN-,
| truly yours WILLIAM H. SEWARD.
| Then there were letters upon political sub
| jects, for Colonel Strong was at one time
| power in the politics OF the Empire State, aud
T nied STATES Was psePSer in ISL strone who Mas
personal friend of the great abolitonist, relied
| on to be of decided value in the contest, as the
| following letter indicates:
| TRIBUNE OFFICE, January %, 1861
DEAR SIR: The election at Albany for United
Monday night. Mr. Greeley Is at Springfield. iii.
You have no time to lose. lie depends on you being
| there and using your Influence. Don't dlsappoint
''''' WI" ~ " '' & A. DASA
What Mr.. Greeleys own feelings were on the
subject may be gathered from the following:
N oyTI Yon OK TUB Fe5rI ma,n % ls,.
West tired and haggard. lido not feel like going
ton, but shall avoid Il posi- Bic. ~ am Worth
nothing In scramble for office, where impotence Is
to submit my name to the legislative caucus, espe-
f on oS w e Wee Su yo * 10 ne SS o
| to do with It.. IL must be 'on hand to securea
Judge Harris next sunday by appointment and shall
then know how stand with him; Yours,
| cArrAIs SAM STRONG.
Notwithstanding Mr.. Greely's apparent indifier-
| ence 10 Office he was really disappointed at the
result, and then, too, he was in an unhappy con-
| dition of mind as to the first appointments made
| by Mr. Lincoln after his Inauguration. 1t is said
that Mr.. Greeley, after he had failed in the sena
| of New York, aud though he would not himself
ask the appointment, his friends worked in his
behalf, but were defeated by the In huence of MIR.
Seward. on March H. 1861, Mr.. Greeley wrote as
| follows
FRIEND STRONG: Every man to his trade I was
| for ii. Ny business is TO edit newspapers. and am
good for that II for anything. For some great ma
| TO engage in Chicago fight, but VIII not live in
BEEN sarS U By i for he las, three Weeks and
| II has nearly killed me.
washington nexi Monday, but j shall not. Let the
cursed Offices go as they viii. renounce them ali,
more Let those scniie for places Who ike the basi
ness, and can make by 1t. can do best by renounc
m can write YOU letter which without putting
w not date sppontmanys nor ask 10 pspsopa
invors. must keep myself at perfect liberty to de-
course which seems Inconsistent with principle and
| the public good Yours, HORACE GREELEY.
Then there were other letters from Mr.. Greeley,
| some from Thurlow Weed, from Senators Shields,
of Missouri. Nye, Hendricks, ]; IL. Lane. Harris,
| Governor Young, Of New York, President Fill
Mayor Wallach, aud many Others that would take
far TOO much space TO use Int daily paper Satisfied
that there wasa mine still TO be worked in that
letter book the reporter passed 1t back to the Col
onel and babe him good day.
| Henry EcitfOrd.
| Ua1,f al Cnnto ,1,n Il