Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-01-21
Readiug
OLD TINES RECALLED.

The last surviving member of Millard
FillmOre's cabinet is Hon. A. II. II. Stuart,
of Staunton, Va. He is 79years Of age, and
has a lively recollection Of the men OF those
days. A reporter for the New York mall
and Express met him the other day at the
Fifth Avenue hotel, when he was in attend
ance at the meeting of the trustees OF the
Peabody fund, Of whom he is one. He is
very tall and thin, is stopped by age, and
has a small, clean-shaven face and bright
eyes. w
''.Recollect these times?" he said. "They
can never fade from my memory while |
live. I was secretary Of the interior from
1850 TO 1858. l went into the cabinet soon
after Mr.. Fillmore became president. My
colleagues were Daniel Webster, secretary
of state-he died in September, 1852, and
was succeeded by Edward Everett; Thomas
Corwin, secretary of the treasury; Charles
NJ. Conrad, secretary of war; Gov. William
A. Graham, navy; John j. Crlttenden, at.
torney-general, and Nathan X. Hale, of
Buffalo, postmaster-general. Mr.. Graham
was nominated for the vice-presdency with
Scott and resigned. John p. Kennedy, of
Maryland, 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."
"HoW do our statesmen of to-day compare
with those of your time?a
"There are no men now to rank with Clay,
Webster and Calhoun. Clay was the great
est practical statesman, Webster the grand
est debater and orator, and Calhoun the
most profound political philosopher. Mr.:
Clay had q personal elOquence that enabled
him to control nearly every one who came
under his influence Mr.. Fillmore was a
very able man and had a mind perfectly
balanced. 1 don't think that public 0pin-
ion has done justice to his great ability. He
was statesman of vast resources, and al
ways had sufficient power to meet eXlgen-
cies of whatever nature. l knew him well
in Congress in 1912, and often heard it re-
marked that he was born for the leadership
of the House.
"As vice president he seemed to have
every quality to control and dignity the
position. He was model president. He
brought with him to the cabinet meetings a
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 it has
ever been my good fortune to know. If
there was 4 purer man or more unSeltSh
patriot ] have yet to learn his name. Dan
iel Webster was not only one of the grand
est 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 presence gave
life to every convivial party. He often
dined with me and with him. So knew
him thoroughly in his private as we'll as his
public life. stood by his side when he
laid the cornerstone Of the capitol extern
sion at Washington in 1852 or 1888, | 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 to men in
high position as now. The acerhty that
prevails now in the political parties did
not exist then in such great degree. AS
to how the government affairs are conduct
ed now in Washington l can not judge. [
have not been there to remain any length
of time for thirty years. But could write
many volumes about the men and events of
the old whig days"