The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-11
SEATTLE. SUNDAY. EEsnUARv II.
OF Other Times.

In the death OF Richard w. Thomp-
son the country lost a link which con-
nected the old with the new. His span
of life covered more than ninety years.
and before him as an oniooker occurred
many OF the notable events which be-
long to the dim and distant past Of
another generation. He was one of the
few men who saw and was a part Of
the tremendous political activities Of
half century ago. and he could look
back to an association with those distin-
guished men whom history now ranks
rs the giants OF their time. How rich
hts recollsctions must have been can
be easily appreciated by glance at
IRE nsnies OF some OF the noted charac-
ters who closed their careers or who
rose ana retired from the scene before
his own svsntful life had been rounded
out. ~
Mr.. Thompson was born In 1909. the
year which gave Abraham Lincoln to
the world. and yet the great cmancipa-
tor 10 nearly thirty-six years dead.
Many Of the early nation builders were
yet In their prime and stili conspicuous
as the leaders OF the times. Two years
after Mr.. Thompson's birth Henry Clay.
then a young man of thirty-four. who
had already served In the United States
senate. was elected speaker OF the ma
tional house Of representatives and be-
gan that marvellous career as leader.
master and idol OF his party which
lasted for more than forty years. Mad
isop was president and the counsel Of
Jefferson. then In retirement at Mon
tlcello. was sought by ali the followers
" those doctrines which ne had crys-
tsllixed into a party's faith.
In ls.s. when Thompson. at the age OF
thirty-three. was f,rst elected TO con-
gress, Clay was beginning at special
session tina, great struggle for the res.
.toration OF his American system which
brought on The memorable discussion In
Which Calhoun stood out az the strong
and undisputed champion OF his party.
Webster was secretary Of state. the
only member or President Harrison's
cabinet who had seen NJ. even temper
arnN 90 cast bis fortunes With John
Tyler Andrew Jackson had set four
wears 20 live before the rnai entry was
made upon his stormy record Lincoln
was praeticing law IN Springfield, after
having served four terms In the mi
rois legislature. hut was unknown out
slide Of his state. Andrew johnson had
tus; been elected 60 the senate OF Ten
nessee. Louis Philippe was on the
throne OF France. and Victoria had
worn crown but four short years
Before Ar. Thompson was again sent
20 congress. in ist7. important events
had been recorded, Clay had taken
leave Of the senate. IN which he had
been for 30 long a time COMMANDING
fgure. and had gone iato that retire
ment which be announced would be
h"lAAAN'fRt4 f&t NtsitH ttNNt3 AN ~ btlAy
Of short duration. Jackson had passed
away. and 40 bad Gallstin. Jsfgersons
secretary Of the treasury Webster had
lett the cabinet % Tyler. had been re-
elected 20 the senate ana had delivered
his great speech In defense OF the Ash
burton treaty Folk hAd defeated Clay
for the presidenSy in he election Of
1874 calhoun was serving his last
term In the senate. and the country had
rung with the fierce debate over the
wimot proviso under which slavery
should be prohibited in all territory
taken from Mexico.
When Mr. Thompson retired from
congress In Isas, over hair century
ago. nearly all OF the older leaders had
retired and new generation was sr-
pcarlng upon the scene. They were
young men who had careers before