The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1883-06-20
Clay and Randolph.


low the treasury, within gunshot Of
the White House, lives David Callan,
one of the oldest citizens of the District
of Columbia He has shaken hands
with seventeen Presidents of the
United States, and he saw the flames
burst from the White House when the
British set fire to it during the war of
1872. He is a sort Of living record of
the past, and his personal recollections
include "reminiscences OF the great men
Of the country, from Madison down to
to-day. L had delightful talk with
him this afternoon. Seventy-fve years
of age, his memory is as strong as that
Of Blaine, and he talks as fluently as
college boy, bubbling over with remin-
iscence and anecdote. A tall man
with high forehead, large, thin face,
silky gray hair and bushy red eye
brows, he smiles pleasantly while he
chats, and when 1 mentioned Ben
Perley Poores article on the capitol
at Washington" he said he had read
it, and commenced at once to talk.
81 knew Mr.. Randolph" said he,
"and often came in contact with him
while he was here in Washington.
But he was an austere man, cold and
uncompanionable, and he fraternized
but little with any one. His style was
| harsh.
"How do you do, Mr.. Randolph? ?
1 am glad to see you. passed your
house the other day and had notion
to go in, but did not
"You did just right. Whenever
you come by, just keep right on l
| don't care to have callers
"It was far different from that of
Clay, who was one of the kindest men
who ever came to Washington. Clay
had good word for everybody. To a
man he would say, putting his hand
upon his shoulder in a familiar way ::
Il am glad to see you to-day; l saw
your good lady at church yesterday.
How is your familyP To a woman,
if he knew her, he would stop and
shake hands with her on the street,
and ask after her husband and to a
young man he would put himself on
familiar terms, and advise with him
as to his profession or plans for the
future. Clay was philanthropist,
Randolph a misanthrope. and the one
was loved as much as the other was
feared and hated. The congressman
were all afraid of Randolph. They
feared his scathing sarcasm, and were
very careful not to tread upon his toes.
Major Poore has made slight mistake
in the story about Randolph and
Aston. Randolph had made very
sarcastic remark upon Aston in his
speech before the House, and as they
were going out the door, Aston, in
revenge, struck one OF Randolph's
dogs. Randolph Immediately cut him
over the face with his riding-whip,
saying: You strike one pup, strike
another For this he was indicted
and fined twenty dollars"
You say Clay was very popular p
eyes, he was one of the most popular
men of the past. When he spoke the
House was generally crowded, ant
men came from Baltimore, Philadelphia
and New York to hear him. He useC
to live next door to me. He was
very fond of horseback riding, anC
nearly every morning he would exercise
in this way. When he did not ride III
would takea walk, and early one morn
ing on walking down F street, before
most people were up, he was attacked
by goat of decided butting propen
stiles. The goat and Clay fought fOl
a long time. 1t backed him up agains
a fence, and Clay caught hold of hi
horns. Sometimes Clay would prov,
the stronger at other times the goa
became the master, and Clay had to g
to the wall. After lively tussle o
about a quarter of an hour Friends
came to his relief, and the great Ken
tucl1ian had a chance to 60 home ant
change his clothes, which had becom
somewhat dirty during the fray"