The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1886-04-22
"REMINISCENCES Of Half a Century.

townsman. Hon. A. H. H. Stuart, in whic
some of the more prominent events in his Ion
and distinguished political career are adverte
to,
The interview commences with the Con
gressional contest of 1871. when Mr.. Stuart de
| feated Governor Mcdowell. That canvass. salt
| Mr.. Stuart, was conducted on a plane of higl
| courtesy and at rs close we were better friend
than at Its beginning.
THE PUBLIC QUESTIONS OF 1871,
which divided the people into parties, may b.
stated by saying that the Democrats insis tel
| on State banks, tariff for revenue only
and opposed internal improvements by th'
| general government, and the distribution o
the public lands under Mr.. Clays bill; whi,,
/ the wings favored United States Bank, a pro
tectiye tariff, a liberal system of internal i'm
| provements by the government, and the dis
trlbution of the public land for educationa
/ purposes. The canvass between Gov. mellow
ell and myself lasted six weeks, and we tray
efed in company on horseback over the district
| which was an hundred aud sixty miles long
The canvass would have been longer. but at itl
opening Gov. M. was absent In Mississippi.
waited month for his return, and he not com
| ing, started out and opened at Fincasfle
| where Gov. Letcher represented my compel
1tor. then went to Roanoke ana from there
10 Montgomery, where Gov. NJ, who had re-
| turned, Joined me and we had q joint discus
sion of seven hours duration. We agreed there
| upon our programme, two hours each, an hours
! rejolner and to close alternately. The con
| gressional election in that day took place OF
the 4th day of April.
| After serving his term in Congress Mr. Stuart
concluded that he could no longer afford to
hold the position of representative, the pay
! being only al nj
year. and the duties requiring a practical
| abandonment of his law business. He there.
fore retired from active political life. but was
from time to time pressed into service to meet
| in debate the distinguished Democratic speak
ers.
SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR.
One night, in 1850, he was aroused about mid
might by the arrival of special messenger,
who had travelled from Washington to bear him
the following letter:
WASHINGTON, 7th Sept.,s
TO The Honorable Alexander II. II. Stua,9 Siam
ton. Virginia.
OF the United States to apprise you that it is
MS wish to nominate you to the Senate for the
Interior He deems it important, however,
that no steps should be taken on SO important
subject without first acquainting himself with
these is the object of this letter, which trans
nit by a messenger of the Department of State,
with directions that if not found at your own
residence, he proceed Immediately to the place
where you are supposed to be, and there to re-
ce1ye your answer
only the sincere wish of the President, but also
OF all OF those, whom on such an occasion he
naturally consults, that you should not decline
This offer. We all desire your efficient aid and
cooperation in the Executive counselS of the
government at this important crisis. The
PRESIDENT hopes that you will be able to repair
10 your post at an early daV. the earlier the
better, as the place has been some time vacant
and competent discharge of its duties is espec-
Tally desirable during the present session of
congress. After that, perhaps, some little in
terval might be INDUCED without detriment to
The bearer of this is confidential If you
please to signify your, acquiescence in the
Presidents wishes to him, he will telegraph
this department on his return as soon as he
reaches Geographic station. 1 trust, my dear
sir, that both the messenger and the wires will
bring us the agreeable Intelligence of your ac-
ceptanee. Very cordially yours,
DAN'L WEBSTER.
Mr.. Stuart accepted the high position thus
rendered, and served with distinguished abil-
ity during the remainder of Mr.. Filmore's
term. His fellow members of the Cabinet
were: Daniel Webster, Secretary of Stale
Thos. Corwin, Secretary of the Treasury; c. M.
Conrad Secretary of the Navy; w. A. Graham,
Secretary of War; Jno. j. Crittenden Attor-
ney-General; A. X. Hall, Postmaster General.
When Mr.. Webster died, Edward Everett of
Massachusetts. took his place. When Secretary
Graham was nominated for Vice President on
the ticket with Winfield Scott, Jno P. Ken
nedy of Maryland, took his place. and when
T. NJ. General Hall was appointed Circuit
Judge, Samuel d. Hubbard of Ct, took his
place.
At a dinner party given upon one occasion by
MIR. Webster. the host told Mr.. Stuart of
nANfEJ SIEEE lxc f,rr II, M, 1f,r NJ
RANDOLPH OF ROANOKE.
Shelley came to this State from Maryland and
while working at his trade studied law, and
was sent to Congress from the Wythe district.
He was one of the ablest and most brilliant
men of his day, and at once became prominent
in the House. This did not meet the aristo-
cratic views of John Randolph, who was ex-
ceedingly annoyed by his colleagues promi-
nence. One day after Shelley had made one
of his most brilliant efforts, Randolph arose
and with irony complimented him on his
effort, and added with sheer, that he s'would
take the liberty ola colleague to offer the men,
Der from Wythe a word of admonition and
advice, (which was in future to confine himself
to his appropriate field of logic, and strong,
vigorous common sense, and never again make
an abortive effort to figure in the field of fancy
and w.t." AS quick as lightning Shelley rose
and said: "Mr. Speaker-I accept the admon1-
ton of my colleague in the spirit in which it is
offered, and assure him that never will again
encroach upon his domain, particularly as he
never peaches upon mine " The keen retort
brought down the House.
Upon his return from Washington, though
pressed to accept political trust Mr. Stuart con-
tinued in private life until 1857, when he enter
ed the State Senate and remained until 1861, and
in the meantime was selected as q Union man in
the State (Secession) Convention. At the close
of that convention he returned to his home.
THE OFFER UNDER THE CONFEDERATE GOVERN
MENT.
In 1854 Mr.. Stuart received the following let
ter from the Secretary of State in Mr. Davis's
Cabinet:
[ConfdentiaLl
RICHMOND, 18th March. '64.
My Dear Sir:
Would it be in your power to come to Rich
m MON as promptly as possible on matter Of
myself are DESTROYS OF comforting with Won
In person. as the subject is too delicate for cor
should not be known that you come on any
but your own private business.
Yours very truly,
j. P. BENJAMIN.
Upon repairing to Richmond he ascertained
that Mr.. Davis desired to send him to Canada
as the confidential agent of the Confederacy
to encourage and develop the peace sentiment
then supposed to be prevalent in some sections
of the North. The plan. said Mr.. Stuart, was
that should sail to Nassau and thence to Cam
ada. Arrived there, should have sort OF
diplomatic family or court, the mission of
which by means of a secret service, would be
to foster and give direct aid to peace senti-
ment which it was understood was then active
along the border States, particularly to give
aid to peace organization known as the
Knights of the Golden Circle which fiourished
in the Northwestern States. l was to
have large amount OF money at my disposal
Congress having placed deposit of 100000
in London on which could draw-and was to
be held to no accountability for the money
except my certificate upon my honor that it
had been spent in aid of the mission on which
had been sent. was to have Secretary and /
other officials under me on the commission.
Mr.. Benjamin spoke with freedom and fulness
of the scheme and 1 soon found he was labor
the peace sentiment at the North, as well as
about the probable efficacy of such a
commission as he proposed. at once declined
it, explained to him that with three families
at nome under my charge, could not leave
them to take any mission of the character
named. l afterwards visited President Davis.
merely said to him that i had heard from
Benjamin the object of my call to
and had been obliged to decline,