Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1883-02-17

clan 10 suit the then cravings ol
party cupidityY Is it a position onl,
suited to men of inferior and moder
ate abilities Are all of our really
great men to be hereafter excluded
from the enjoyment of its aonors
Was it attributable to the secret in
fluences of rival candidates. that
Mr.. Clay lost his nomination ? Was
it to be ascribed to that natural
jealousy which great, brilliant and
commanding minds attract ? Was
it to the office seeking demagogues
who fill our conventions, and who
are ever on the alert to find out
whom they think the most "availa-
BILE" candidate, without regard tC
merit Or was it to that caprice and
and ingratitude which so often
darkens the history of Republics,
and which causes them to Danish
from their confidence, citizen be.
cause they are tired of hearing every
body styling him "Aristides the
just 2" These are questions which
it may be we'll at some future day to
consider, and to find their solution,
if possible.
MARTIN VAN buren,, eighth
! President of the United States made
visit to Martinsburg in 1886, whilst
Secretary of State under General
Andrew Jackson. He stopped at the
Globe Hotel, then kept by William
Kroesen. The writer of this sketch
made respectful call upon him, and
Onnnf 81 yAln nj ttNdx in. hi
company. His trip was one sim
ply of recreation. He spoke of the
pleasure which he derived from his
excursion, and was emphatic in his
praise of the soil and scenery of this
Valley. He was not at that time
much of favorite with our people,
of either party, and but little en-,
thusiasm was manifested at his pres.
ence.
FISHER AMEs-This distinguish
ed orator and statesman, at the
close of the session of Congress of
1876, being then in feeble health,
paid visit to the warm springs in
the county of Berkeley, in the hopes
of obtaining some relief from his in
creasing debility. He thought he
derived much benefit from drinking
the water; also from our pure and
fresh mountain air, and relaxation
from the unremitting cares of public
life. In this visit he was the object
of the most friendly and respectful
attention, individual and public.
Contrary to his expectations, he
found many friends of the Washing
ton administration during this visit,
Notwithstanding the lead taken by
the representatives of Virginia in
opposition to that policy. In one of
his letters from Berkeley he observes
"Virginia has been misrepresented
to us, as much as the measures of
government have been to them; and
many good men are here to be.found
friendly to the federal cause"
From his visit to Berkeley in 1896
his health continued to decline, with
partial and flattering intermissiOns
until death. He was striking ex-
ample of magnanimity and patience
under suffering. Retaining always
the vigor and serenity of his mind,
he appeared to make those reflec-
tions which became his situation.
When speaking of his illness, he OBJ
served, Il trust | realize the value
of those habits Of thinking which l
have cherished for some time. Sick
ness is not wholly useless to me. 1t
has increased the warmth of my af-
lection for my friends. 1t has taught
me to make haste in forming the
plan of my life, III it should be spared.
more for private duties and social
enjoyments, and less for the splendid
emptiness of public station, than yet
| have done"
After an extreme debility of two
years, the frame which had so long
tottered was about to fall. With
composure and dignity he met the
approach of his dissolution.
Fisher Ames will ever rank among
the great statesmen of this country.
Excepting Daniel Webster, know
of no public man of the North whose
fame rests upon a more indisputable
basis of genius and merit. His
speech in the House of Representa-
tives on the British Treaty of 1890
has been regarded as one of the inest
specimens of Congressional elo'
quence ever uttered in that body
and many passages of it of sur
passing brilliancy are remembered
and quoted to this day, although
near century has elapsed since
they were delivered.
VIM. Fl. CRAWFORD, in his visit
TO the Berkeley Springs spent several
days in Martinsburg, going and re-
turning in the summer of 1924. He
was in the early part of that year,
beyond all question, the most form
liable candidate for the Presidency.