The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-17
TWO GREAT CAMPAIGNS.
Mrs. BentOn's Epigram, Speeches by Web
ster n Gays Defeat.

btCA alu VII! . DSiCdts
To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sfr: I see in your
paper somo "reminiscences OF the campaigns Of
1870 and 1874. / remember In 1874 hearing a Meth
odist minister from Auburn speak. He was Ia
great demand. and was so popular that he was
appointed chaplain OF Auburn State prison. He
used excellent and told good stories.
l remember one. II seems Colonel Benton was very
indignant al Fremont's attentions TO Jessie Benton
and he was telling what he would do. and one thing
was that he would give him he'll" HIS wife. who
was avery mild woman, put her hand on his shoulder
and said: Hadn't you better give him Jessief"
In 1870 ! rode with twenty other young men
twenty-five miles TO Franoestown, N. H., to hear
Webster speak. We got there early and heard
some OF the best campaign singing that I ever heard.
As II looked showery some people were afraid
Webster might not come, although he spoke at
Nashua the day before. But soon in the distance
on the hill we saw a barouche drawn by four horses,
and the cry arose. There's Webster" After 70.
ing slowly down the steep hill the horses galloped
through the valley and up the next hill, where
hundreds OF people had locked to cheer.
Webster rose up q little, raised his hat and made
the most majestic bow that I ever saw. His speech
was received with great enthusiasm. for the people
OF New Hampshire were very proud Of him.
next heard Webster In is4s, in Boston. in his
great speech on the completion of the Bunker Hill
Monument. The stand was facing the monument.
President Tyler and his Cabinet were on the plat.
form: also a number OF Revolutionary patriots,
many OF whom were assisted up the steps. One
nhnQfeu 'nOukAuu people $1,000 before Webster,
when he was through gentlemen upon the platform
came up to shake hands and congratulate him.
In the rear of the great mass OF people on the
side OF Bunker Hin were seated 5000 ladies, who
waved their hnndkerchiefs when Webster closed.
Some one called Websters attention to the sea OF
handkerchief and he showed by his smile that he
was very much pleased. /, S.
NEW YORK. March 10.
To THE EDITOR OF THR SUN-Sir: The old cam.
phlgn sonss Of the '4os referred 70 by your cor.
respondents recall TO my mind the great grief and
disappointment felt by the Wings when the nevs
was confirmed of the election OF James X. Polk.
Intelligence relating 70 the election was very
slowl In coming from the several States In those ante.
railroad, an,e-telegraph days, and the nrst returns
showed that Henry Clay had certainly trlumphed.
When his defea, was az last really made known I
remember seeing my father, who was seated In his
library. upon being told OF the fact. take his ban.
danna handkerchief and putting II TO his face CRY
like q child. He was then In his sixty fourth year.
and up 70 the time OF his death, twenty eight years
subsequently, he never forgot the bitter Illustration
OF his most sanguine hopes and expectations of the
election OF his idouzod American statesman, the
gifted, eloquent Harry of the West"
Is II not true that the political campAiRns of
1870 and 1874 stirred up from tho hearts deepest
depths more feeling and enthusiasm exhibited In
song aud open emotion than any that preceded
or have since followed themi q. d,
NEw YORK, March 10.