The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-01-09
The Value Of Hem DRY.
Detroit Free Press.

Detroit Free Press.
Several weeks since representative
Of the Free Press was engaged in a gen
eral conversation with tie late James
Burns, when that gentleman remarked
that he always had an idea that news
paper men must pay especial attention
to the cultivation of their memory.
at is valuable quality, and most
newspaper men, perhaps, do cultivate
their memory to the best of their abil-
ity."
Valuable quality. It is one Of the
best. l had that fact impressed upon
my mind when a young man By that
great statesman, Daniel Webster, and
it was a lesson | never forgot.
Upon being asked to relate the ex-
rerience, Mr.. Burns told how, in 1896
Daniel Webster paid a visit to Detroit
and was given a reception by the citi
zens at the old National hotel, which
stood where the Russell House now
stands. Public exercises were held al
the Cass Grove. and in the evening the
reception was held and was largely at
attended. Il was about 26 years old, ,
said Mr.. Burns, "and had Just risen tC
the distinction of being in business fol-
myself. For that reason, | suppose, al
all events know no other cause, | wa
invited to be privately introduced, witt
lot of other young business men, t.
| Mr.. Webster.
well, sir, went fully impressed
with the greatness of Mr.. Webster, and
confess, somewhat elated over the
honor thus accorded me. We all az
sembled in the parlOr-I remember
Theodore Romeyn and the late c. c.
| Tr0wbridge were among those present
| fifteen or twenty in number. Presently
Mr.. Webster entered the room and We
chat of perhaps half an hour followed
Mr. Webster talking all over the room
and with no one in particular, after
which we took our leave. The remark
able feature which impressed me wa.
the fact that Mr.. Webster, who had me;
fifteen or eighteen ordinary young men
for the first time and that in a general
way, called US all BY name and without
hesitation or mistake, as we took our
leave"
I've heard that memory OF names
was one of Daniel Webster's strong
points"
"But the story isn't Finished said
Mr.. Burns.
-Four years later l was ia New York
buying goods. / had not seen or hardly
thought OF Mr.. Webster in that time.
| had just turned from Wall street to
20 up Broadway, when ! saw a magnii.
cent figure walking ahead of me. Con
f lent that it was Wr. Webster, ] quick
e1ed my pace, passed him. and at the
nsxt corner stopped to get a fair look at
him. | was not mistaken in the man,
and l was Immediately filed with a de-
sire to speak to him, but was held back
by the thought that he wouldn't remem
Der a young chan like myself. | fol
lowed him a block before | could make
up mr. mind to accOst him. Eyerybodg
on Broadway turned and looked admir-
ingly at him as he passed. and finally
thought it would be a little in keeping
with Western character TO be a littlc
forward. So with: How do yo1 do
Mr.. Webster?" l stepped up to hi:
side"
Turning slightly and half stopping
in his walk, he looked intently into ms
face an,instant and said: why, how de-
you do, Mr.. Burns? I'm glad 70 see you
SIR And We walked together up to the
Aston House. ac' ually believe he in.
quired after every man he met at his
Detroit reception, and that he called
each man By name as though they were
bis intimate friends. From that hour
knew the value of : good memory, and
from that hour I began 70 cultivate my
own"
And you believe your experienc.
with Mr.. Webster vas Of value tc
your
"Valuel Well, SIX, ii was one Of the
most valuable things that ever hap.
pened to ne. II prompted me to begin
sort Of self-disciplins, which ! dare
say has been worth thousands Of dol
lars 10 ne"