The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1884-10-04
POORE'S "REMINISCENCES.
Recollections of Political Life
Fifty Years Ago.

Interesting RecoIlections of Political Life
Fifty Years Ago.
Boston Budget.
Senator Hamlin, of Maine, soon after
the assault on Charles Summer, in the
spring of 1856, rose in the senate and
asked to be excused from any further
service as chairman of the committee
on commerce, it being the right of the
democratic party in the senate, to ap-
point the chairmen of the committees
from their own number. He withdrew
from the democratic party, he said, be-
cause of the repeal of the Missouri COM
promise and the mischief that followed
it. New doctrines had been introduced
into the democratic platform and he
felt that he should be compelled to bat
tie against the party and its candidates.
William Rufus King took the oath of
Office as vice-president on the 4th OF
March. 1858, at q plantation on the
highest of the hills that surrounded
Mantanzas, with the luxuriant vegeta-
ton of Cuba all around, the clear blue
sky of the tropics overhead, and de-
licious sea breeze cooling the atmos-
phere. The oath was administered by
United States Consul Rodney, and at
the conclusion of the ceremonies the
assembled creoles shouted: "Vaya
vol, con Dins!" (God will be with
you), while the veteran politician thus
honored appeared calm, as one who
had fought the good fight and would
soon lay hold of eternal life. Return
ing to his home at Cahawba, Ala, on
the 18th of April, the president
died the following day, and his re-
mains were buried on his plantation,
known IS the "Pine hills.''
The remarkable feature of the presi-
dental campaign of 1872 was the
schange of base" made by old party
leaders. Greeley, a high-tariff abo-
litionlst, sought the votes of the south
as democratic candidate. From SEN
ator Sumner, who, until his San Do
mingo quarrel with the administration,
was esteemed as the Magnus Apollo of
the republican party, we had series of
speeches and letters against
Gen. Grant and his administration,
which, together with the anti-Grant
speeches of Gen. Schurz, became the
favorite campaign ammunition of the
democrats. Trumbull, with his caustic
expositions of the shortcomings of the
and Banks, with his modest
of the reasons which
determined him to support Greeley,
each contributed to strengthen Sum-
ner's general indictment among that
large body of men who in this contest
had been hating between two opinions,
ike the historical donkey between his
TWO inviting bundles of hay. While the
democrats fought under the banner of
,wo original republicans, the republi-
cans had democrat at the head of
heir presidential ticket, and they ex-
ended a warm welcome to all "straight-
,ut" democrats disposed to act with
hem.
James Brown Clay, son of Henry
Clay, who was born at Washington
City, and who Inherited ashland"
rom his father, had a difficulty on the
ioor of the house during the discussion
IN the admission of Kansas in 1858,
With William Cullum, of Tennessee, a
who had killed his man
Early in life. Mr.. Clay had INDUCED in
'ather severe language and received
blow from Cullum. A challenge pass
ID, but friends ofthe parties interfered,
md it was agreed that the matter be
'eferred to Senators Crittenden and
COMBS, with the power to call in
bird party. They invited Senator Ken
,edy, of Maryland, to join them, and it
vas decided that Gen. Cullum should
make a satisfactory apology to Mr..
Jlay, which he did. While these ne
,otiations were transpiring, three other
imilar cases were being settled.
Commodore Stewart used to narate
IN instance which occurred on board
he frigate Constitution when under
lis command in the Mediterranean. 1t
vas before the deposition of any of the
'ourbon sovereigns, and q large party
# them had congregated at Naples to
.ttend royal marriage there. Com
nodore Stewart invited them on board
he Constitution, and they made a
rilliant display, attended by their
uites in richly embroidered court
resses and uniforms. While they
we're being shown over the frigate, a
oatswain came up to the commodore,
nd touching his hat said: "Please,
ir, one of them ERE kings has tumbled
own the main hatchway." 1t turned |
ut that the king was a subordinate
curt official, but his embroidered coat |
ad elevated him in Jacks eye to regal |
and, and he felt. it his duty to an
ounce the mishap.
The attack on Massachusetts troops |
4 Baltimore in April, 1861, effected
udden change in public sentiment |
the north. Highly infu-
ntial republicans had talked of pacific |
and the question of boun-
aries was discussed; but when Mary |
Ind assumed an attitude of hostility to- |
ard the general government and re-
lsed to permit the militia of other
,stes to pass through her borders on
,eir way to defend the capital, not an
Their word was lisped in favor of COM
romise, or meditation, or separation.
he north, as with one mind, deter
lined that the integrity of the union,
officially and geographically, must be /
and leaving the original
ADMINISTRATION policy of defensive war
one aggression. Leading |