The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1893-02-18


A correspondent Of the Boste,
Transcript gives Ill interesting &C
count ola scene he Witnessed il
Washington at the close of 1891
| which throws light on the senti
ments held by the late Vice Presi
dent Breckenridge as to the On
ion. The late Vice President waf
the father Of Hon. Clifton Il. Brock
inridge, now q member Of Congress
from the Fort Smith District.
| On Christmas eve. writes this
correspondent, a merry gander
party was assembled in the bache.
| ior quarters of Maj. Wall (of Wall
& Stephens) on the avenue. The
majors abundant means had SO
generously fortified his garrison
that care for tomorrow was q thing
of yesterday and orders were pub
lished that the calendar of that
year should close with no signs OF
mourning. 1t is no part of this
history to say whether the order
was questioned or not.
It was little past midnight
when the door opened to admit
the man whose presence was 80
welcome everywhere, and the ca
ger whispering of Mr.. Breckin-
Ridges name was an evidence OF
the respectful esteem in which he
was held. so marked, so personal
that it moved him to the depths of
his manhood. Graclously receiv-
ed by his host, Mr.. Breckinridge
came directly to the pianoforte,
around which a group of US had
been singing, and after a grasp of
the hand all around and a pleasant
word, he asked that the music
should be resumed. After y song
or two we sung my Old Kentucky
Home," winning from him a cour-
teous acknowledgment. He then
asked, "Will you not sing some
thing patriotic p In response we
gave the "Star Spangled Banner"
Most of US were fair performers,
and / indulge the belief that the
occasion inspired the singers with
an JUNCTION that served as we'll as
more distinguished merit.
AS we concluded, instead of the
expected reward of applause, the
stiffness Of death filled the apart
ment. Mr.. Breckenridge was Sob
bling like a woman, and tears were
streaming down his cheeks. AS
soon as he could control his trem-
bling lips he exclaimed, with an
exordium for which these dashes
may stand as sponsors, "--!boys,
it makes me feel like / used to-"
and we repeated the song at his
earnest entreaty. He remained a
short time longer, his saddened
mood showing how deeply the in
cident Of the meeting had stirred
him. / never saw him again, as I
came to my home in Massachusetts,
on the Let of January.
The reader is familiar with Mr..
Breckinridge's subsequent career,
and need not here recall it.
Though for u time an enemy of
his country, which had so gracious
" honored him, l firmly believe
the man made q sacrifice hardly
less than that which, in his attach.
ment to his state and people, he
would have endured as q loyal
American. His nature Was emf
nently an emotional one, and the
sentiment that led him astray was
the outgrowth of q public training.
the force Of which the less impetu-
GUS nOrtherner can but imperfect
" understand. No apology for
his course is here attempted. /
have neither authority for nor pre-
sumption equal to such a task.
With only . plain, unvarnished
tale, imperfectly told, I leave the
subject to the reader, who may
be inclined to sit in judgment, not
withstanding his opinion has long
since been anticipated by high
er court.