Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-02-14
TOM MARsH4Lr,s MISTAKE.
Secretary Lamar's ArecdOts of Tom
Marshall.
From tAs CAfcooo Neaos

From the Chicago Nesos.
WAsHINGTON, Feb. 8.-Secretary Lamar Is
one Of the best story oilers in public life, and
In this respect Is fully the equal of those two
de lghful raconteurs, Senators Vance aud
Vest. at he Cabinet meeting the other day
some allusiOn wa made by the President 10
Tom Marshall, of Kentucky.
81 once hat funny experience with Mar
shall" said Mr.. lamar. breaking into the
conversation. "It happened at Oxford, MISS.
Few months prior to the att OK on fOrI
sumter. The secession movement as grow
ing rapidly In my State, and formed the staple
subj Co OF conversation. enc night dellV-
cred strong disui"n speech in the lee
ture room OF the college. The house was
packed, and my radical views, by the younger
men at L. tst, were appiauded TO the echo. Az
the conclusion of my speech tall, dislln-
guished looking gentleman ar sc and salu:
Ladies and gent N. have reason 10 be-
litve that am not unknown to many OF those
present, have list ned 10 tn remarks OF our
brilliant young friend with miogled feelings
OF pain and pleasure. Secession IS wrong.
You WI make mistake II you attempt 10
carry this grand Old commonwealth out of the
Union. You don't know the people OF the
north. | do. l have lived among them. l
know their strength anu forbe arance. They
are not 10 be triied with. If you Will meet me
IN this nall to. III orrow night Will 10 my Ut
IN &c TO convince ynu of That fact
"Ehe speaker, who, as he laid, was person
ally known To most OF those present, was Tom
Marshall, the &c iebrated Kentucky orator.
The next night the hail WAS jammed. Mar
shalt spoke Tor two hours. No one but man
Of Southern birth and training would nave
dared express such sentiments as he eX-
pressed on that occasion. He toog up my
arguments seriRtim and demolished them
one after the other. Before the close or his
speech hardly convert 10 secession could
be found within the sound Of his voice. Al
though | had been crushed and sat upon,
continued Mr.. Lamar, II could not fail to be
impressed win MarshAll's matches oratory,
and the sOuniness of his logic. / ad-
mired him more than ever. A few Gays
subsequent started out for drive. Marshall
si' cd IN the door of he village tavern as !
drove past. With a view TO shuwl MIN
that entertained no malice. invited him u
accompany me. He replied that he would II
would excuse hin ungii he had made few
changes in his linen. In few minutes he re-
appeared. and away we went. Marshal I'M
medlately began talking. He dweII Tor a
time upon the i'm pebd ng pc tito ~ Crisis. lie
talked Of books, he ar = and the sciences. and
when, at Inc conclusion OF our ride, H. allght-
Ell from the buggy felt that had never been
SO delightfully."- entertaine IN IN III Tor,
mind you, during al TINS time hau not ut
tered word. Marshall lefi Oxford the next
dav, and died. if you remember,
within the next twelve months.
LOui>ville Geut eman, called at my
house, spoke OF Mar-h8ips visit to OXfOr d.
Yes said he, Marshall told me about it. He
SAID on were cry angry I him Tor replying
10 our disuniOn speech. He knew you were
watching az opportunity u force him into
quarrel He thought you had iOund II when
YOU nvltei him 20 go riding on day. dare
say you remember that he excused himself a
few momen son the plea OF changing his linen.
He went to his room and armed himself IN
stead. He deter mined not to fight If possible,
and for thaCreAson deci led to employ the art
of ( oquenCe, with a view to curbing your
murderous intent. He told NE he must have
succeeded for YOU never uttered beliigerent
word during the whole ride or afLerWard.' d"