Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-07-11
DAYS, roomBs. AND HUNTER.
Political "Reminiscences which Seem De-
signed 20 Haye No Moral.
ret. Louis Republican, July 7th.I


signed 70 Have No Neral.
ret. Louis Republican, July IT'LL
In the wear 1860 jefferson Davis OF Mis-
sissippi. Robert Toombs OF Georgia, aud
r.. Nj. T. Hunter OF Virginia, we're mem
bers Of the United States Senate, aud not
only It's three most influential members,
but eminent southern leaders. Each rep
resented a State which claimed and exer-
cised weighty influence In the national
council, and as they belonged TO the then
dominant party, and were champion. OF
the theories that rested on slavery, they
nossessed an authority which. in the pre-
sent changed condition OF things, 1t Is
difficult to comprehend. The political
slxy wore a troubled look In the spring
NJ 1860. The John Brown raid at Harper's
Ferry had recently taken place, showing
what daring and desperate measures aooll-
tionism was capable Of; Kansas, after
fierce struggle, had been lost to the south;
the growing Republican party was prepar-
ing for the Chicago Convention that nomi-
mated Abraham Lincoln; there were grave
divisions in the Democratic party that had
ruled the country for nearly fifty years,
and, TO complicate things still more, there
was n strong native American element in
the southern States which refused to ally
itself with the southern Democracy
in defence OF the extreme position
which the latter claimed was neces-
sary for the maintenance OF SOUTH
ern institutions and interests. Congress
was still i'm session, and IL was observed
that Davis. Toombs, and Hunter were FREE
ouently sitting together In the Senate, AZ II
in consultation. These consultations usual
ly took place at the desk Of the Senator from
Mississippi, AMI the fact was remarked
then, as proof Of the clearer perspicacity,
stronger will. aud superior ability oil the
man who was destined aiterward 10 become
chief Of the then only dreamed OF Southern
Confederacy. These three men are still
living. IL is strange that II should be SO,
but there are many strange things connect
ed with the tremendous drama in which
they played so conspicuous part.
Their experimental confeieracy was
born, lived, and persisted so long
ago that the American youth OF To-
day know nothing OF II except what they
read OF In books. The South has passed
through the blood and agony OF conflict
which left the flower Of its population be-
meath the sod and Scared its mountains,
valleys, and forests with the tracks OF plov-
ing missiles. Abolitionism had its way,
slavery was oyerthrown. and ruin ran riot
over the southern land till there was little
LEFT TO destroy. Yet the three senators
OF 1850. from Mississippi, Georgia, and
Virginia, have survived all the havoc
and are still above the turf. beneath
which all their prominent compora-
ries lie buried. Their old abolition enc
mics are gone. Garrison. Seward, Gree
lev, Chase, Giddings passed away long ago.
Even Wendell Phillips is dead. Lincoln,
the first Republican President, has been in
his bloody tomb these nineteen years. The
great Douglas sleeps IN Illinois soil, and
drees twenty-five years old grow over
his grave. His presidential competi-
tors in the memorable campaign OF
O-BreckinrIdge and John Bell
are asleep, too, each in the soil OF his
native State. All the members OF the first
Republican Cabinet are gone but one
simon Cameron-and Simon Cameron was
a comparatively obscure man in the spring
OF 1860.
The Mississippi Senator OF 1860 Is now
&c years old; the Georgia Senator is "a;
the Virginia Senator Is Is. They are not
very old men, yet there are not three other
living men in the world who Were actors
IN great historical drama who have served
as pal-bearers to such a procession OF emf
nent fellow. players.