The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-11-12
OLD TIMES RECALLED.
A Member of Fll!more'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 lively recollec-
ton of the men of those days. A re-
porter for the New York Mail and E1.
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?' he said
"They can never fade from my memo
ry while live. | was secretary of the
interior from 1850 to 1858. ] went iu-
to the cabinet soon after Mr. Fillmore
became president. My colleagues were
Daniel Webster, secretary of statc--hc
died in September, 1852, and was sue
ceeded by Edward Eycrett--Thomas
Corwin, secretary of the treasury;
Charles M. 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 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.
. chow do our statesmen of to-day
compare with those of Your timc?"
There are no men now to rank with
Clay, Webster, and Calhoun. Clay
was the greatest practical statesman,
Webster the grandest debatcr and ora
tor, and Calhoun the most profound
political philosopher. Mr.. Clay had y
personal cloqucnce that enabled him to
control nearly everyone who came un-
der his influence. Mr.. Fillmore was n
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 II statesman of vast
resources, and always had sufficient
power to meet cXigencies of whatever
nature. | knew him we'll in congress
in 1912 and often heard it remarked
that he was born for the leadership of
the house.
"As vice president he seemed 10 have
every quality TO control and dignity
the position. He WAS Il model presi-
dent. He brought with him to the
cabinet meetings Il more thorough
knowledge of the topics and questions
to be discussed than was possessed by
any member. With it all he was the
most considerable and af1ablc man it
has ever been my good fortune to
know. If there was Il purer man or
more unseltsh patriot 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 l with
him. So knew him thoroughly in his
private rs well as his public life. l
stood by his side when he laid the cor
ner-stone of the capitol extension at
Washington in 1852 or 1858, | forget
which year. He made grand speech
on that occasion"
Have things changed much since
them"
"Weil, we never heard SO much
fraud and corrupt motives attributed
to men in high position as now. Tho
acerbity that prevails now in the DO
litical parties did not exist then to such
a great degree. AS to how the gov-
eminent affairs are conducted now in
Washington can not judge. l 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 wing days"