The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1882-09-20
A POLITICAL MISSING LINK.
Interesting Talk with a Leader Of a
Former Generation.
THE LAST NAN IN FILLM0RE.s CABINET
ADAMS, JEFFERSON, RANDOLPH
WEBSTER, CLAY AND
OTHERS.

! A4eAanoef n. ID. stuart Ia \. i. World.
Mr.. Stuart, | believe we have at las
| found in you the missing link"
Mr. Stuart smiled. 81 am the last mem
Der of Mr.. Fillmore's cabinet alive. Whel
| was in Washington a few years ago, ther
was but one man there who was in Con
gFess when 1 was there. That was Fer
nando Wood, and he has since died. Thi
is another generation, different age Tn,
changes that have occurred since those dayi
are greater than those marked by lapse o
years and by the regular course of nature. y
Mr.. Stuart, although for several years
past in i'll health, still appears remarkably
well preserved, and in CONVERSATION shows
no trace of feebleness. Although Virgin.
ian born and bred, his speech betrays nc
proYincialisms either in phrase, pronuncia-
alton or tone, or even any sectional peculiar.
tiles. Mr.. Stuart does not talk in mono.
logue, but it is not necessary to reproduce
any Of those conversational spars that were
- eagerly applied.
"If I.was not q contemporary, ny mem.
ory still links me with an earlier time.
When was boy of or 10 l have often
dined with my father at Monticello" (Mr.
Stuart gives the italian pronunciation as is
commonly given here Jefferson was q
lonely man, the beauty and purity of whose
family relations have been only recently
made known in the biography of his
niece. Yes, he was peculiarly a modern
man. 1t was he who gave shape to the
French revolution, although deploring its
excesses. succeeded to his trusteeship of
the Univerity of Virginia, and few days
ago, in looking over some old papers of the
University, found paper drawn up by him
on the subject of education which appeared
to me so valuable that embodied it in my
report. / sent q copy to a distinguished
educator who wrote that nothing wider or
more comprehensive, more in accordance
with modern views on education had ever
been written.
Jefferson took great pride in Monticello.
Wanting q Chinese gong for the clock tower,
in order to secure it he sent by three different
vessels going to China. As it happened leach
vessel brought a gong, and onehe sent to my
father | finally presented it to the Staun-
ton Fire Department. When in those
troublous days we were melting up bells
into cannon, that was also sent, but was re-
turned as too valuable souvenir to be de-
stroyed."
Mr.. Stuart took from his pocket plain
gold-iaced watch, and opening it showed
within the name, "James Monroe"
"When Mr.. Monroe was Minister to En-
gland" he said, "my father sent to him to
have him a watch made, believing that the
American Minister would be able to get
him good one. The matchmaker, think
ing it was for Mr.. Monroe, had his name in
'eribed in it, and in sending it Mr.. Mon
roe wrote: i have taken it for you, although
ny name is in it; because at least once a
lay know you will have to think of me-"
''No, / did not like John Randolph. He
vas the most spiteful of men. If he was
witty, his wit always left sting. When |
vas young man | went down TO Richmond.
Randolph was then in the Assembly.
Charles Fenton Russell, fine genial man,
vas just concluding an address, saying, L
I'M sorry to have been obliged to consume
% much of the time of my felow-members.'
So am l. , squeaked out Randolph in his
Ugh, shrill voice.
"But he did not always get the best of it. |
Daniel Sheffey was little Dutch shoemaker |
n one of the western counties, who showed |
ueh ability that some influential persons |
in him had him taught to read ; |
e afterwards studied law, and became one /
f the most brilliant and prominent men in
he State He and Randolph were in Con-
ress together Randolph was intensely |
and felt no small contempt for
be Dutch shoemaker. One dayIin Congress
hefey made fine speech, and ne-in which
e had shown no small degree of humor.
his was more than Randolph could bear.
lie got up and in the most elaborate manner
Q ,an 10 compliment Shefey on his conVinc-
lg logic, on his weight of argument and
is unanswerable assertions, but added,
Let my honorable friend keep out of the
eld of humor, in which his powers have
OF fitted him to shine
"Quick as a fash Shefey was on his feet.
The honorable member is right, he said
md since he never trenches on my province
will hereafter never intrude on hisp To
now Shefey's appearance is necessary to
ppreciate the force of his quick Tetort on
ne house, for he had little head, an
paunch, little short legs, and re-
smbled more than anything else human
og
''In some respects John Quincy Adams
as one of the most remarkable men of that
ay. When he was Chairman of the Com
littee on Ways and Means, I was on the
and we two men were always in
be committee-rooms long before the other
lembers, and no matter what the old man
'as doing he always was willing to put
own his work and talk. You may know
ow gladly l listened. Such an encyclo-
edia ofinformation I have never seen.
"But of all these Mr.. Fillmore was
1e most perfect man. His head was
sphere, his faculties were all symmetri
ally developed. Whatever he did it
semed that nothing could be better done.
When he was Chairman of the Committee
q Ways and Means he seemed born to be
hartman of the Committee of Ways and
leans. When he made a speech he was
OF eloquent, except with the spontaneous
loquence of feeling, but his array Of facts
nd manner of presenting them were alike
nexceptionable. He was a model Pres-
ent, and perfect in every relation Of life.
# humble origin, he was modest, simple
4 his manner, and, through his kindness of
cart, always appeared the thorough gentle
lan."
Mrs. Stuart remarked: was at Millboro
prings when heard of Gen. Taylor's death,
nd little thought what difference it
Iould make in my life"
Eyes" said Mr.. Stuart, 81 was then q
lawyer in Stauntou in active practice.
me night we were awakened out of sound
eep BY violent rapping Mrs. Stuart,
I fod iufr