The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-12-23

weary way; then TO New Haven and on TO
New York City; and how he progressed,
day after day, through the State Of New
Jersey; and of his speculations with Gov.
Stockton as to the practicabilty Of some
day making the trip by water He entered
Philadelphia in a big wagon, and thence to
Baltimore: and from Baltimore to Wash
ington through many perils; and, after
nearly two weeks of laboriouS travel, he
found himself. on the 24tll of May. at the
seat Of Government, in no plight to stand
before the assembled wisdom OF the Nation.
Daniel Webster and Henry Clay were
political and OratOrical rivals. For % years
these men cOntendcd for the leadership of
the Wing party and for its preference for
the Presidency. They served side by side
in the House and in the Senate each in
turn occupying the Office Of Secretary Of
State. They died within few months
of each other.
The personal relations between Mr.. Web
ster and MIR. Calhoun were OF the pleasant
est and friendicst character
A touching incident occurred between
these men at the time Mr.. Webster made
his famous 7fh OF March speech, in which
he abandoned the Wilmot proviso and
justified the Fugitive Slave law, for which
he received much adverse criticism.
The venerable South Carolina Senator
was very i'll in his room at the old Capitol
building. Mr.. Webster had called upon
speech was alluded to. Mr.. Calhoun ex-
pressed wish To hear il. Mr.. Webster re-
piled that he hoped Mr.. Calhoun would be
able to get TO the Senate. Mr. Calhoun
shook his head sadly, and remarked that
he feared that he should never again
leave the sick room. MIR. Webster parted
from him, fully impressed that his days
were numbered.
MIR. Webster had not been speaking long
When tai, gaunt figure, wrapped i'm a
long black cloak, with deep. cavernous
black eyes and a thick mass Of snow white
hair brushed back from the large brow and
falling to the shoulders, advanced with
slow and feeble steps through the lobby
behind the Vice Presidents chair: and
then, aided by one Of the Senator's ap-
preached and sank into chair on the OPP
pOsite side to the chamber
Mr.. Webster's face was turned from him
so that he did not see the almost aDpari-
ton enter. In the course Of the speech he
alluded TO something Mr.. Calhoun had
once said in debate as "the utterance of
the distinguished and venerable Senator
rom South Carolina, who, deeply regret.
IS prevented by serious illness from being
in his seat to-day"
Mr.. Calhoun moved Yestlessly in his
chair, his head and body bent eagerly for
ward, and he made great effort to rise
and interrupt the orator. He sank back,
evidently exhausted, and Mr.. Webster, all
"''oiiE'SicUo vi iIIS presence. EcDt on with
the majestic flow Of Websterian elo0uence.
Presently he had occasion 20 refer TO Mr..
calhoun again, as the eminent Senator
from South Carolina whom we all regret so
much to miss from such a cause from his
seat 10 day"
Mr.. Calhoun again grew restless his
hands nervOusly graspcd the chair. his
black eyes grew fIercer in their cagerness.
he half rose from his seat and in his old
voice exclaimed:
The Senator from South Carolina is in
his seat
Mr. Webster turned towards him with a
startled look. and when he saw that his
friend had actually arisen from a bed of
death to creep TO the Capitol in his weak
ness, 10 near his speech, he for a time was
100 much overcome 10 proceed with his
argument. He acknowledged the touching
compliment by Il bow, and with "a sad smile
on ms lace proceeded with his speech
bui a lew days more and Calhoun Law
dead IN state within those walIsl Political
ana party preiudices often bring sad es
engagements among men, but let the finger
vi Trovidcncc be laid upon a man. and how
soon these preiudices fade into thin air and
me hetter part of true manhood comes 10
the surface. "
Tn he.