The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-05-12
MEMORIES OF OTHER DAYS
Gen. j. NJ. Wilson's RecOllectiOns of
Great American Statesmen.

The Retired Engineer officer Once n
Page in the Scnate-The PERSONAL
ity of Clay and Observation-Disclosures
Last Appearance mt the Capitol.
Brig. Gen John NJ. Wilson, L. S A.
retired, is identified with the growth of
Washington. where, as ne said to a
Times reporter. who called upon him, he
was burn long time ago.. General
Wilson is gentleman of the old school,
elegant, courteous. and urbane. He is,
Notwithstanding his long and arduous SER
vice in the army, alert and active, straight
as an arrow, and fun Of fire and energy,
when he recalls the many stirring scenes
and incidents which he has witnessed,
from the days when Washington had n
population of only some 5000 souls.
Webster, Clay, Calhoun. Thomas
II. Benton, Salmon P. Chase-I
can see them as plainly before
me now as though / had parted from
them but yesterday said General Will
son. Il believe" he continued, that
events which happened in our youth re-
main more wildly impressed upon our
minds than any after-occurrences. re-
call Webster, stern, tremendous figure,
with great black brows, and deep-set,
lustrous eyes; / can hear the deep, sono-
rous melody of his voice, and see the rare
smile which lit M his features. as with
sudden fleeing light. Henry Clay. toe
tall, smiling, with that outward sweeping
gesture of the arm, which invariably ac-
companied his delivery. Clay was the
more varied and seductive-Webster the
more Weighty and impressive
1T seems TO me that the great compro-
mise debate occurred but yesterday, so
plainly do l recall the dramatic scenes at
tendant upon that historic matter. I was
page in the Senate at the time. An
abolitionist was looked upon at that period
in Washington as something of a monster
Children stared after him. and he was
pointed out upon the street. Robert c.
Winthrop was the Wing candidate for
Speaker of the House. in the Thirty-first
Congress. On the first ballot Howell Cobb,
of Georgia, had 103 votes, against 96 votes
for Winthrop.
''The Southern Wings who had opposed
Mr.. Winthrop were vehement and pas
sionate in their denunciation of the North.
The time has come, said Mr.. Toombs,
his black, bushy hair standing out from
his massive head as if charged with cleo
tricity-'the time has come when ] shall
not only utter my opinions. but make them
the basis of my political action here. do
not, then, hesitate to avow before this
House and the country, and in the pres
ence of the living God. that If, by your
legislation, you seek TO drive us from the
Territories of California and New Mexico
and to abolish slavery in the District of
Columbia, l am for disunion; and If my
ufr,ta
nance of my convictions of right and
duty 1 will devote all am and all have
on earth TO its contamination
During the session OF the Thirty-first
Congress. Henry Clay, then seventy
three years of age. had reappeared at
Washington. as Senator from Kentucky.
and occupied his old quarters at the Ma
tional Hotel. Mr.. Clay was then appar-
entity hale and hearty, but showed his
age. He always dressed in black, and
from high black satin stock, which en-
veloped his long neck, emerged a huge
white shirt collar, which reached to his
ears. Mr. Websters vote secured for Mr.
Clay the Craftsmanship of committee
which had for consideration the settle
ment of the eight different questions in
voiving slavery, then before Congress. A
general compromise bill was speedily pre-
pared, and the battle of the giants was
recommended.
houn. engaging for the last time in a
gladiatorial strife, which called forth
their respective powers 10 the utmost
1T is said that Webster remarked to
q feliow-Senator on the morning of the
It'll f March: I have my doubts that the
speech l ara going to make will ruin me-
1t is needless to say that his foreboding
was faithfully fulfilled. AT this time
Webster's farseeing mind was probably
troubled by the prospects of bloody civil
war, and the breaking UP of the Union
he loved so well. lie stood by the old
compromises. rather than bring on sec
tional conflict, and, in his opinion there
was no sacrifice too great to avert frat
ricidal contest. j speak today said
he, for the preservation of the Union!
Il recall Mr.. calioun's last appearance
on the floor of the Senate" continued
General Wilson. He came in looking
like resurrected corpse. supported, and
wrapped in fannels. and requested that
his friend, Senator Mason, might read
some remarks which he had prepared The
request was, of course, granted, and while
Mr.. Mason read the defiant pronuncia-
mento its author sat wrapped in his cloak,
his eyes glowing with meteor-like bril-
liancy as he glanced at the Senators upon
whom he desired to have certain pas
sages make an impression When MIR.
Mason had concluded Mr.. Calhoun was
supported from the Senate and went back
TO his lodgings at Mr.. Hills boarding
house. sometimes called the Old Capitol,
to die.
any remembrance" said General Wilson,
was that of William Henry Harrison. |
was q child then and was carried on my
fathers shoulder. but l have distinct
impression of a big cabin which l saw
carried in the parade. At Lincolns first
Inauguration | was a young lieutenant in
the army and attended the parade in that
capacity. At the breaking out of the civil
war many Of my comrades in arms, then
stationed in Washington, went across the
Long Bridge to join the forces of the Con-
federacy. i commanded detachment OF
troops on this side of the bridge, and as
my friends, some of whom / was to meet
again only on the battlefield. went across
we parted cordially and wished each other
godspeed.
Directly across on the opposite side of
the bridge my cousin on my mothers
side a lieutenant of about my own age
in the Confederate service, was stationed
In charge of his detachment.
Eyes, ] shall start very soon to write
the memories of a very Interesting ana
eventful period. Washington, my native
city, is very dear to me. have watched
its growth almost from its incipiency,
and though | shall not live to see 1t,
feel that when the meridian of the pres
n. tvi1 he no