Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-01-07
Old TIMES RECALLED.
Member of Fiiimnrc's Cabinet Talk
Alb nut His Cniiragurs.

Member of Fi'mnre's Cabinet T.iks
Alb nut His Coiiragurs.
The last surviving member of Mill
ard Filsmore's cabinet i Hon. A. H.
FL. Stuart. vi Staualon. Va. He. is rs
years of age. and hats lively rccollcc-
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 tail and thin, is
stopped by age, and has q small. clean
shasen face and bright eyes.
''Recollect those iilnes?o he said.
They can never fade from my mcmb-
ry while live. | was secretary of the
interior from 1850 TO 1858 went in
TO the cabinet soon after MIR. Fillmore
became president. My colleagues were
Daniel Webster, secretary of state-he
died in September, 1852. and was sue
ceeded by Edward Escrett--Thomas
Corwin, secretary of the treasury;
Charles M. Conrad. secretary OF war;
Gov. William A. Graham, navy; John
j. Crittenden, attorney general, and
Nathan K. Hale. of Buffalo, postmaster
general Mr.. Graham WAS nominated
tor vice presidency with Scott and re-
signed. Jonn Z. Kennedy. of Mary
land, then went on the ticket in his
place, OF all these men, alone am
lett Mr.. Conrad WAS the last TO die,
some five years ago.
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
was the greatest praciical statesman,
Webster the grandest deOater 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. MIR. Fillmore w. a
very able man and had 4 mind perfect
~ balanced. don't think that p,! bile
opinion has done Justice TO his great
apiiity. he WAS Statesman II vast
resources. and always had sufficient
power 10 meet cxigencies of whatever
nature. | knew him well il congress
in 1912 and Often heard il remarked
/ thai nc was born for tho leadership of
the house.
'.As vice president he seemed 10 have
every quality 10 control ard dignity
the position. He was a model presi-
dent. lie brought with him 10 the
cabinet meetings more thorough
knowledge of the topics and questions
10 be discussed than was possessed by
auy member With it all he was the
most consi,terate and gffable man it
has ever been my good fortune to
know. III there was 4 purcr man or
more uuseitiSh patriot l have yet to
learn MS name. Daniel Webster was
not only one of the grandest orators
anu deDaiers. hut 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 conyiyial party.
he often dined with me and | with
him. So knew him thoroughly in his
private as we'll as his public life. 1
stood by his side when he laid the cor
ner-sione 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
then?"
well, we never heard so much
fraud and corrupt motives attributed
'arn in high position as now. The
| ass.:.ity that prevails now in tho po-
litical p..rties did MOI exist then to such
a great degree. As TO how the gov
eminent 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"