New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-10-29

STORIES OF FORMER SENATORS WHO
SERVED WITH SENATOR TURPlE

SEKN ED WITH SLNA lux j IA III
From The indianapolis sentinel
Mention Of the fact that Senator David Turpe
the last Of the odd guard 10 retire from pub
lie life has revived many interesting stories Of the
was In the senae serving his irs, term Win Sn-
ators who had been the contemporaries OF clay
one Of the most interesting Of these stories is
an incident connected with the only time Henry
touched upon the river towns once OF twice. but
never did he visit thc state for the purpose oi
making political speech but once. This was in
the early fortics. and be came TO Richmond to
speak II was then as now ne centre Of IL quaker
population and the fact that Mr. clay Was large
bfn An r1TnCnsc crowd vas tir.eant and i.ei BE-
fore Mi clay arose 10 speak MI Mendenhall
oefion signed bv 5000 names urging him liberafe
his slaves. Mr. Clay looked over the petition
carefully. arose amid intense silence ana said
address I would ike TO refer 90 petition have
In my hand which has been handed TO me ty MI
MendenhaN | have II IS true seventy eight neBr2
servants OF these perhaps thirty are able bodied
workers. The remainder are too young 100 Old
or too feeble to engage IN the arduors Work re-
quired on plantation. These thirty are taking
az am asked to nberate my servants and send
them to the North a. free persons gree 10 TINS
proposition on one ,,S SonGo MN eS i've d are
moi only my servants. bat my friends. Were
/ would have 70 be thoroughly satisfied mat tney
will be as well taken care ot as ihcy are now
l must be satisfied that those OF mem VINO are
able 10 work are secured regular empolmcn' as
now and that those who are not able 80 work arc
lreQ
,beIr Javs If YOU Mr. Mendenhan. Will insure
mis- and viii furnish me with Just and sufficient
bond that his will BE- done consent 10 the prop
aB9I Mr. Mcndenhan am certain you are
that YOU would not DC able 10 do this there
fore ask YOU 10 spend your energies in relieving
fhe distress and want Of the widows and orphans
,r,,,ri,v. that YOU devote your attention TO this
bcneyole work. that You make THIS your bust
mss and that you attend TO It, VIII attend ID"
mine In the same lines among those dependent
II is said by one who heard this speech that be
fore Mr.. clay concluded h.s remarks ldISe IaIt
Of the audience was ~ tears and the petition was
senator 'nrpie was In the Senate with Henry ;.
Mexican War and. while one Of the most brilliant
stump speakers the Stale had produced. BE- never
made a speech IN the Senate. ia fact, II IL re allied
that the only speech ne ever made IN or near
Washington was under unique circumstances
When the battle Of Bull Run was fought both
branches Of Congress had adjourned for day Or
two and many Of he members u both branches
drove ont 10 witness the battle In fact. g. close
did some Of the members Of Congress get that one
member was captured by the Conf~derates after
History has told Of the result Of the battle Sen
atOr Lane had driven out IN Il buggy, and vi b a
held glass was watching the battle from distance
When the Union forces began slowly 20 CIV way
his buggy BY the side II the country road and was
standing on stump IN Ia" centre ~ no road.
brought the Senator almost in the middi, ~ The
ROAD. For an hour or more BE- stood up inc middle
ana eye pTactlsed IN the Mexican War The opera
lions OF the troops when tho retreat Lspau stray
glers began TO hle past-men without their arms
In the wind Then small detachnents The remains
indisputable evidence Of the true condition Of ar
/ fairs The army was IN mad flight
The distressing scene moved Senator Lane great
flight and reorganize the men. He began add ess-
inf tne y b shp & bo oem Sy men oye OF
stop and form for batLs. His white nEr was