The National tribune., 1900-02-15
probation of Siate-Bank notes when you
crossed the State lines, and the rottenness
of wildcat" currency.

Another grave subject which burned in
the hearts of Congressman was Henry
Clay's Missouri Compromise Bill" This
matter calls 10 memory drive We took
few years ago with Mrs. John A. Logan,
into the quiet, picturesque country sur
rounding old Bladensburg. Neat thrifty
farms, fruit and flower nurseries-beautiful
the Landscape; but Biadensburg was a
deserted village. Not a street bore sign
of the prosperity of other days. II is only
in recorded history that this old town
lives.
We remember that the Hon. VIM. Writ
was born here; but We looked in vain for
a habitation where you would think that
Calhoun, Webster, Jefferson. Clay, or any
of the great magnates could congregate af-
ter hard-fought battle of words in Con-
gress TO revel in canyasbacks. terrapin,
oysters, or poker. There are no indications
of the comforts. say naught of the luxuries,
which would be our ideal of those days.
Is it because that meetings made necessary
by the code of honor" have cursed the
ground?
We drove TO the point just below the
bridge where Gen. Ross brought up his
fotilla and disembarked his troops for the
advance of the redcoats on Washington.
This, too, was in the long ago, SO long
that even the river has run its race and
been lost in the sea. No Foreign ship could
invade our Capital to day from that
quarter, for nature has thrown up her bar
ricade and the sands Of the sea have formed
the breastworks of Nation.
A. l.,If E.. 4
come to two small brick buildings. Between
these a carriage drive branched off from
the pike and ran through an undulating
meadow leading TO Riverdale Station
These buildings, like old BladensbuTg, are
time-worn and weather-beaten. The gran
fte gateposts are out of perpendicular with
age. The small houses were the porter's
lodge of the Calvert estate, which for 10t
years was the home of the descendants ol
Lord Baltimore. Cecil Calvert being the
founder Of the Maryland colony.
On We drive TO the Manor House. II
lies quite hidden from view by the grand
old oaks and elms with their thick, dark
foliage which cast heavy shadows over the
picturesque and ancient-looking place.
Could these trees, the growth of centuries
tell the stories of the past what history W.
would have. They have been silent wit
nesses Of many gay and festive scenes
and the elves in the branches have peepeC
in at the windows. not only taking note O.
many gay cavalier in knee breechcs ant
powdered wig leading the ladies in tn,
quaint costumes of century ago through
the stately minuet, but they have also see,
politicians come and so, and no doub
watched with eye intent the stately form
of Henry Clay when lie took himself to tha
upper room in this house TO write tina
celebrated Compromise Bill"
Henry Clay and George Calvert wer
boon companions, and a large, square roon
looking out upon an idyllic view Q
meado1 land and wood was set apart a
Henry Clay's room. And there he sa
when he drafted that bill.
The room as We saw il was bare an
desolate, dismantled of everything tina
gaze it an air of comfort There was
picture of Henry Clay and Ashland
hsoging over the mantel and one soiitar.
piece OF furniture, an ancient wardrobe, il
which they say the Sage of Ashland use