The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-12-16
THE BLIND CHAPLAIN
OF CONGRESS

book very close to the eye and bring
ing every letter on the prescribed spot
on which the sight was fixed.
I'm May Of 1888 my father, who was
once a prosperous merchant. having
failed In business. we decided to leave
Philadelphia and to emigrate to the far
west in search Of fortune. Our desti-
nation was Jacksonville. Morgan coun-
~ ILL.,, where we settled and soon
formed a comfortable home.
In 1874, my sight having grown
worse, l went to st. Louis for treat
ment, but without benefit, and I then
decided hat I could never be any bet
ter n that I might as well become
resigned to my infirmity. In Septem-
Der of 1S45. having passed my two
years Of probation for the ministry,
and having passed my examinations be-
fore the conference, l received ordina-
ton as deacon.
Shortly after I was elected chaplain
OF congress and entered upon my du-
ties. The post was q strange one for
a young mar just of age, with small
discipline as a speaker, little expert
ence of life. and withal q stranger in
a strange land.
The duties of the chaplaincy were
simple enough, however. after I be-
came used to them. They were to open
the two houses of congress with daily
prayer, and to preach in the hall of
representatives on Sunday mornings"
II entered on my duties al the COM
mencement Of President Folks admin
istration, during which the Mexican
war was declared. I was again elected
in 1858 as chaplain to Mr.. Pierce's first
congress, the Thirty-third. Senator
Morrill, and ex-Secretary and ex-Sen-
ator Sherman are called the fathers of
congress. but I served in two con-
crosses before they entered, in De-
cember, 1855, and I was, therefore, ten
years in advance of them.
II left Washington in March, 1855,
and did not return again until 1885,
since which time I have been there con-
%tinuously, first as chaplain of the house
and then of the senate. Within the
HAANy ySoAo OCk"CCI 4OOC d1lu 1901 L
Travelled not far from 1000, 900 miles in
all parts of this country and Canada,
as we'll as in England, Scotland and
Ireland, n through many the
average of my sermons and lectures
was one a day throughout the year.
20, yes, my recollections of prominent
men would, if properly written out, fill
a good-sized book. Among the men
who filled a prominent place in the
public eye when I entered the senate
were Messrs. Dix and Dickinson of New
York, John Clayton Of Delaware, Bev-
erly Johnson of Maryland, Willis P.
Mangum of South Carolina, c. Berrien
Of Georgia, Dixon H. Lewis Of Ala
bama, Crittenden of Kentucky, Corwin
of Ohio, Hannegan and Bright of Indi-
ana, Atchison and Benton Of Missouri
and Cass of Michigan. To these were
added during the seaso and from the
new state Of Texas, General Houston
and MI. Rush. The presidents chair
was filled by the urbane and courtly
George M. Dallas, whose abundant
white hair formed a beautiful crown to
his graceful person, and whose digni-
fled manner served to qualify him Pc
culiarly for his place. But high over
all their colleagues in authoritative in
fuence, power and general considera-
ton, rose Daniel Webster and John c.
Calhoun. .
1.-The senators were never tired of
talking about Webster and telling sto-
ries regarding him, n Of which I
remember 1 thought particularly good
at the time. One night, before rail-
roads were built. Webster was forced
to make a journey by private convey
ance from Washington to Baltimore.
The nan who drove the wagon was
such an Unlocking fellow, Inc told so
many stories of robbers and murder
ers that before they had one half way
Mr.. Webster became somewhat alarm
ed for his safety. At last the wagon
stopped in the midst of a dense wood,
when the turning suddenly round
to his passenger, exclaimed, fiercely:
Now, sir, tell me who you are? Who
am 70 replied Webster, in a faltering
voice, and ready to spring from the
vehicle. L am Daniel Webster, member
Of congress from Massachusetts
'What!' exclaimed the driver, grasping
his hand, are you Webster? Thank
God! Thank God! You must excuse me,
but you are such an ugly chap. I took
O for a highwayman!"
In some prisons abroad a new occu-
| patton has been found for the women
| inmates who are heinz ta1ght to make