The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-01-26
Old Times Recalled.

! The last surviving member Of Mil
lard Filmorc'S cabinet is Hon. A. II. II.
Stuart. Of Staunton, Va. He is 7s
years Of age, and has lively recollcc-
p, tion OF the men Of those DAYS. 4 re-
/ ported for the New York -NuH 0ntl
Erpress met him the other day Mt the
Fifth Avenue hotel, when he was in at
tendance at the meeting of the trustees
ot the Peabody fund, of whom he is
one. He is very tall and thin. is s:oop-
ed by age. and has small, clcan-shav
! eli face and bright eyes.
'Recollcct these times % he said.
''rhey can never fade from my memory
| while live. ] was secretary Of the in
terror from 1850 to 1858. / went into
the cabinet soon after Mr.. Fillmore be-
came president. My colleagues were
Daniel Webster, secretary of statc-he
died in September, 1852, and was sue
cccded by Edward Everett; Thomas
! Corwin, secretary Of the treasury ;
Charles NJ. Conrad. secretary Of war
Gov. William \. Graham, navy; John
j. Crittenden, attorney general, and
Nathan X. Hale. of Buffalo, postmaster
general. Mr.. Graham was nominated
for the vicc-preSidcncy with Scott and
resigned. John p. Kennedy, Of Mary
land, then went on the ticket in. his
place. OF all these men, 7 alone am
left. Mr.. Conrad was the last to die,
some five years ago" .. .s
GLOW 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 was
the greatest practical statesman, Web
ster the grandest debutor and orato*,
and Calhoun the most profound poli,i-
cal philosopher. Mr.. Clay Ind per-
Sonal cloQucncc that enabled him to
control nearly every one who came un-
der his influence. Mr.. Fillmore was n
very able man and had mind perfectly
balanc ID. don't. think. that public
opinion has done Justice to his great
ability. Hc was = statesman of vast re-
sources, and always had sufficient power
| to meet cxigcnces oc whatever nature.
knew him we'll in Congress in 1S43.
and often. heard it remarked that he was
born for the leadership Of the House.
''As vice president he seemed ta have
every quality to control and dignity the
position. He was model president.
He brought with him to the cabinet
meetings more thorough knowledge
Of the topics to be discussed. than was
possessed by any member. With it NIL
he was the most conSiderate and affuble
man it has ever been my good fortune to
know. If there was u purer man or
more nnsclfish patriot have yet to
| learn his name. Daniel Wehste: was
one of the grandest orttors and debaters
but socially he was most captivating
His wit was superb, his words Of wis
dom md his flow Of spirits perennial
At his own house he was most delight
fu! host, and none could exceed his hos.
pltality. His very presence gave life to
every convivial party. He often dincd
with me and | with him. So I knew
HIM thoroughly in his private as we'll Ms
his public life. stood by his side
when he laid the cornerstone of the
capitol extension ut Washington in 1852
or 1858, forget which year. He made
n grand speech on that OCCASION"
"Have things changed much sine,
then 2"
well, we never heard so much fraud
and corrup. motives attributed to mer
in high position as now. The acerbity
that prevails now in the political parties
did not exist then in so great degree. As
to how the government affairs are now
conducted in Washington I can no,
judge. have not been there to remain
any length Of time for thirty yeers
But I could write many volumes about
the men and events OF the old whig
days"
NEwBERRY. S. -. Jan. lS.-Somc OF
our merchants were made nervous day