Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-02-23

lSct ana ACCOMPLISHMENTS. At the time
speak of he had made his 4tn
of March speech, committing himself to
the compromise measures Though IL was
near the ond of his life, | saw no sign Of
physical decay. lie would, perhaps, drink
too much wine, as was the habit with
good many OF our public men In those days,
yet thore was something antique and
Roman about him even when you could see
tue signs of indulgence lrocollecs another
senator, from Tue SOUTH when Webster sat
once with his head bowed IN his hands, az
II he wanted to sleep, paying Mr. Webster
personal eulogium two or three or four
times. Webster at last raised his head and
sad, enough enough q with somewhat Of
proud scorn. When Webster was in tho
state department, his secretary, or one of
tue clerks there, was Mr. Phelps, our late
minister to England, who is much of a man.
Phelps was a wing, until Webster led his
wing friends out of that anti-slev1ry wing
oil tho wing party to which ] belonged
Did you ever 500 much OF Mr. Lin
coin ~
"Only when [ had business with Mr.. Lin
coin. Except in the pursuit OF our pubic
vocatous did not see any more, | think,
of Mr.. Lincoln than OF President Cleveland.
/ never thought that ought to take up tia
time of another engaged Official while my
self intrusted with a share OF affairs
"Were you ever tempted to leave tina
Senate and enter into executive life ?"
"No. | always reflected that the Senate
suited my way OF life better than auythin.
else. At one time Mr.. Chase, while ,ecra-
tary OF the treasury, was resolved to issua
bis greenbecks, AMI / did not favor that
system. 1 was in favor Of Issuing treasury
notes relsemaDle in six per cont
United states bonds. 1lr. Chase was
so decided that lie must put the
grseubacks out that he came to me aud
SAID Unless this measure passes will "a
out MIR. Hor ton and myself, the ia her OF
Dana Horton, hal resisted the gresnbnc<s.
They made the cost Of the war perhaps 81
COZ, COZ, COO more by their depreciation. 1t
was bluff. But I had no idea of LETTING
things come to that pass, and | suppressed
| further opposition to the measure. Yet |
say TO you now that that is worth cons der
ing. Our currency, based upon United
States bonds, has boon 80 good for near t.
tbird OF a century that to see the basis Of
our national banking grow weaker by the
payment o; the public debt is u matter Of
regret. Suppose that we were TO buy our
bonds, having, as we may, 800 900 900 OF
the public debt eft, and issue in p ace OF
them very low bond, say , per cent We
could continue banking as we have had it.
According to my view when the legal ten
ders fell, say to &c. there would have beeu
a movement among their holders to invest
them in order that they would not ia.
lower on thsir hands. Consequently Gs con-
vertb!e into bonds the currency would
cease to fall was also oH4red tny choica
OF any place but two by lIr. Hayes.
How dll you estimate Mr.. Blaine
"Elaine had wonderful memory, aud I
have noticed that several CT our emit
men, like Eimunds and Coak!ius, had pue-
nomenal memories like Blaine. Now. have
not any such memory as that. can re
member many things, but not all things
/ 1t must be wonderful heip to a man who
is much before the public to reach out and
| take hold of all particulars without effort
| like those men of memory. In 1868 L
wanted to go to Europe and l wanted
! companion, and l wrots to Mr.. Blaine in
vitlng BIN TO so with me- saying that I was
about to secure my passage, II lie would give
NE leave | would also secure his. He replied
/ that he wanted a day or two to consider
the matter, and then accodel to my wish,
and we went together. Ho was perfect
/ guide book and travelling library. What
! ever battlefield wo won't on, he knew all
about it-iust how it took piece and what
different individuals did. II we would &c
to Yorkshire, no would surprise every
/ NorIshreman We met by knowing mora
about the history OF the shire than the ma
| tive. His active mind was always happy
| in occupation, but al times of inaction he
could be little moody. Things like this
! are not matters TO be recorded, but !
recall when we got to Basic in Switzerland,
we hired u carriage to cross the ALPS
! by the Spdgen pass to Lake Como. The
morning papers announced that the cholera
had broken OUT at Rome. Mr.. Blaine be-
came silent, and l could set nothing out OF
him for some time Finally he sand: Il
will go across the mountains VITA you and
then think l will return; you can 90 on il
| you wish. Don't let my programme affecs
yours. | said to him: b alue, l think
you have been reading about the cholera in
/ Rome | think 1t is nothing more than
sporadic. Suppose we 60 together now as
| far as Florence, where our minister, Marsh,
will know all about If, and II he tells Us
that it is not safe to 60 on | will accompany
you whittier you will. We got to Florence,
and he was up early in the morning that
told him Mr. Marsh would not be reedy
to receive Us. However, he wanted to 20.
| We both got there before Marsh had finish.
ell his breakfast. He told US that there
was cholera in Rome, but by taking the
proper care-not going out at nights, etc
Blaine, however, showed thai he was APP
prehensive. l gave up the matter there.
fore, and we came back by another routs
and did not go to Rome.
Mr.. Morrill, obtained letter from Mr..
Blaine, written in 1876, Whith | read with
interest, as it contlius toe neulss of the
most celebrated OF thosa members of the
House OF Representatives who were aftSr-
ward to figure in Biaine's historic span.
The letter referred to Colfax as liable TO b.
the speaker, because he came from the
| West. 1t referred to Conkius and Gar
field as the most available man for char
man of the ways and means committee ald
said that Conkling was FAR better prepared
for the position than Garfield. Mr.. Bout
well WAS referred to as one OF the best Of all
for that or similar p ace. Schenck was
referred to AS Il man Of power for the place,
but rather too liabs to take the bit IN hi
teeth and not plaoate Others, The letter. in
a brief space contained a great deal o.
suggestion and real preScience of what was
| to be.