The Dawson journal., 1883-03-15

were distinguished leaders at the
time | entered congress, and who
are now dead. This list, as I re-
call it, embraces the following
men:
John Quincy Adams, Henry A.
Wise and George G. Dromgold of
/ Virginia; Gave johnson and Aaron
V. Brown, of Tennessee; r. Barn
well Rhett., of South Carolina;
the two brothers, Charles J. and
Joseph r. Ingersoll, of Pennsyl-
Asnia; James J. Mccoy, Of North
Carolina; Garrett Davis, of Ken
tucky; Samuel Vinton, of Ohio;
Governor Vance, Of Ohio; John
b. Weller, also Of Ohio, and John
SideiL. Among the distinguished
men who had been in before [
came to congress was Thomas
Butler King, of Georgia. Then
there was Robert N. L. Hunter,
who ought to come in this list, and
also John Whate, Of Kentucky,
who had been Speaker. / almost
forgot to mention Lynn Boyd,
from the Paducah or Burchard
district in Kentucky, who was af-
terwards Speaker. and David
Barnard, who was one of the dis
tinguished men from New York.
David L. Seymour was another
able man who came in during my
time. In fact, he was among the
school of which / have been speak
irg."
"Were there many of theseg"
eyes. There were at least thir-
ty in the school. There were
more men that distinguished
themselves that came In when I
did than any subsequent or for
mer period. There were men Who
distinguished themselves either
for good or for harm. I am
ashamed to say that many of this
school did more harm than good.
Now this is about all | can tell
you now. By the way, there was
rather a strange incident connect
ed with my departure from Wash
ington, March 6, 1856. As my
steamer was going down the Poto-
mac, | looked back and, while
gazing on the receeding dome of
the Capitol, some friends, who
saw my neditative mood, approach
ed and said: You must be look
ing up there and thinking Of your
reelection to congressY In reply
to this said: No; l am taking a
last look at that dome, for I never
expect to see it or be in Washing-
ton again until | come as a prison
er of war. The steamer sped down
the stream, and soon distance hid
the dome of the Capitol from my
view. Would you believe me,
when | next visited Washington,
gazed on that dome I was parol-
ed prisoner OF war who had just
been released from Fort Warren.
But l expected this summer to be-
gin book which is to contain my
recollectlons of public life, and
especially personal "reminiscences.
To look at the thin, withered
hands and almost helpless frame
of this old man as he sits in his
wheel chair, one might wonder if
he were able to pen the thoughts
with which his mind is busy,much
less record the varied interests
that have agitated the country
since he began public life in 1886.
Despite his feebleness and inabili-
ty to walk, Mr.. Stephens retains
not only his intellectual faculties,
but enjoys the advantage of an
appetite and pawers OF digestion
that induce great dinners and in
vite convivial occasions, He is
temperate in all things, even in
playing cards, a sport in which he
deligts. 1t is not unusual to find
Mr.. Stephens surrounded by
whist party, for his skill in the
game is said to be such as to chal-
lenge the admiration of the most
expert player OF the day. He is
very fond OF the society of the
young people, and seems to take
more than ordinary interest in
hearing the views Of young men.
His dinner parties are thoroughly
up in the details that epicurean
art and demand The table at his
rlriyatn dinnnr 1>arties is renernllu