The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1885-11-12
OLD TIMES RECALLED.
A Member OF Fillmore's Cabinet Talks
About His Colleagues.

The last surviving member OF Mill
ard Fillmore's cabinet is Hon. A. H.
II. Stuart, of Staunton. Va. He is 7S
years of age, and has a lively recollec-
ton of the men of those days. A re-
porter for the New York Nal and Er-
press met him the other day at the
Fifth Avenue hotel, when he was in at
tendance at the meeting of the trus-
tees of the Peabody fund, of whom he
is one. He is very tall and thin, is
stopped by age, and has z small, clean
shaycn face and bright eyes.
''Recoliect those times?' he said.
They can never fade from my memo
ry while live. l was secretary of the
interior from 1850 to 1858. | went in
to the cabinet soon after Mr.. Fillmore
became president. My colleagues were
Daniel Webster, secretary of state-he
died in September, 1852, and was sue
ceeded by Edward EYerett-Thomas
Corwin, secretary OF the treasury;
Charles NJ. Conrad, secretary OF war;
Gov. William A. Graham, navy; John
j. Crittenden, attorney general, and
Nathan X. Hale, of Buffalo, postmaster
general Mr.. Graham was nominated
Tor vice presidency with Scott and re-
signed. John 2. Kennedy, of Mary
land, then went on the ticket in his
place. Of all these men, alone am
left Mr.. Conrad was the last to die,
some five years ago"
''How do our statesmen of TODAY
compare with those of your time?'
There are no men now to rank with
Clay, Webster, and Calhoun. Clay
was the greatest practical statesman,
Webster the grandest debater and ora
tor, and Calhoun the most profound
political philosopher. Mr.. Clay had
personal eloquence that enabled him to
control nearly everyone who came un-
der his influence. Mr.. Fillmore was
very able man and had a mind perfect
ly balanced. | don't think that public
opinion has done justice to his great
ability. He was statesman of vast
resources, and always had sufficient
power to meet exigencies of whatever
nature. | knew him well in congress
in 1912 and often heard it remarked
that he was born for the leadership of
the house.
LAS vice president he seemed to have
every quality to control and dignity
the position. He was model presi-
dent. He brought with him to the
cabinet meetings more thorough
knowledge Of the topics and questions
TO be discussed than was possessed by
any member. With it all he was the
most considerate and affable man it
has ever been my good fortune to
know. Ii there was purer man or
more unselfish patriot l have yet to
learn his name. Daniel Webster was
not only one of the grandest orators
and debaters, but socially he was most
captivating. His wit was superb, his
words of wisdom and his flow of spirits
perennial. At his own house he was
a most delightful host, and none could
exceed his hospitality. His very pres
ence gave life to every conVivial party.
He often dined with me and | with
him. So knew him thoroughly in HE
private as "eII as his puDIlc lie. L
stood by his side when he laid the cor
ner-stone OF the capitol extension at
Washington in 1852 or 1858, L forget
which year. He made a grand speech
OD that occasion"
Have things changed much since
then?"
We'll, we never heard so much
fraud and corrupt motives attributed
to men in high position as now. The
acerbity that prevails now i'll the po-
ltical parties did not exist then to such
a great degree. As TO how the gov
ernment affairs are conducted now in
Washington l can not judge. | have
not been there to remain any length
OF time for thirty years. But l could
write many volumes about the men
and the events OF the old whig days. !"