The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-11-18
OLD TIMES RECALLED.
A Member of FiIimore's Cabinet Talks
About His Colleagues.

The last surviving member of Mill
ard Fillmore's cabinet is Hon. A. II.
II. Stuart, of Staunton, Va. He is 70
years of age, and has lively recollec-
ton of the men of those days. A re-
porter for the New York Mail and EI-
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 small, clean
shaven face and bright eyes.
"Recollect those times?n he said.
''They can never fade from my memo
ry while | live. | was secretary of the
interior from 1850 to 1858. l 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 Everett-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
for vice presidency with Scott and re-
signed. John p. Kennedy, of Mary
land, then went on the ticket in his
place. OF all these men, L alone am
left. Mr.. Conrad was the last to die,
some five years ago."
s.How do our statesmen of to-day
compare with those of your time?'
There are no men now to rank with
Clay, Webster. and Calhoun. Clay
xra ha fac
Webster the grandest debater and ora
tor. and Calhoun the most profound
political philosopher. Mr.. Clay had a
personal eloquence that enabled him to
control nearly everyone who came un-
der his influence. Mr.. Fillmore was a
very able man and had mind perfect
ly balanced. l 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 CT
the house.
..As vice president he seemed to have
every quality to control and dignity
the position. He was a 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 il
has ever been my good fortune to
know. If there was purer man OF
more unselfish patriot / have yet tc
learn his name Daniel Webster was
not only one of the grandest orators
and deDaters, 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 conyivial party.
He often dined with me and | with
him. So knew him thoroughly in his
private as well as his public life.
stood By his side when he laid the cor
ner-stone of the capitol extension q,
Washington in 1852 or 1858, / forget
which year. He made a grand speech
on that occasion.
Have Things changed much since
then?''
.sWell, we never heard so much
fraud and corrupt motives attributed
to men in high position as now The
acerbify that prevails now in the po-
| Iitical parties did not exist then to such
o great degree. As TO how the gov
i ernment affairs are conducted now in
Washington / 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.