The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1909-11-18
THE BREAD THAT
RETURNED TO
THURLOW WEED
BY E. j. EDWARDS.

BY E. j. EDWARDS.
AS every student of American polft-
ical history knows Thurlow Weed, who
died in 1882 at the green old age OF IS,
was one Of the most remarkable and
astute politicians that this country has
ever produced. He 1t is who, more than
any other man, brought about the nom
nation Of Harrison and Taylor for
president in 1910 and 1S48, respectively.
He 1t was who was largely responsible
for the presidential nominations OF
Clay, Scott and Fremont; and he 1t was
who, as President Lincoln's confidential
agent abroad, was very influential in
preventing England and France from
recognizing the confederacy n per-
haps declaring war On he union.
Many and notable were his political
victories, not a few OF them looming
large in our history. Yet perhaps the
victory out of which Mr.. Weed derived
as much quiet satisfaction as any came
to him most unexpectedly at a moment
when he had acknowledged defeat
when he saw the political patronage of
New York state, and all the power ina
its possession implied, taken away from
him. And the manner in which this
victory-which, I believe, has hitherto
escaped acknowledgements to Mr.. Weed,
inevitably calls to mind the biblical
injunction to cast our bread upon the
waters, that 1t may be returned to you
after many days.
Back in the sos, when Old-Rough-
and-Ready Zachary Taylor was en-
gagged in fighting Indians mostly, a man
who had great lumber camps and mills
on the northern slope Of the Adiron-
Mr.. Weed and explained that he was
most anxious that the son Of the fore
man Of one Of his camps should be ap-
pointed to a cadetship at West Point.
The caller had been of great political
service to Mr.. Weed, and, therefore, the
latter, after listening to the others re-
quest, said heartily:
You see your congressman and I will
indorse the application"
But" protested the man, IT have
seen him, and he tells me that he has
promised the cadetship to a constitu-
ent."
well, If he has promised 1t he must
keep his PROMISE" declared Mr.. Weed.
However,, I will see hat the boy is APP
pointed a midshipman at the Naval
academy"
But the lumberman insisted strenu-
ously on the cadetship, and, among
other things, reminded Mr.. Weed that
this was the sole favor he had asked of
Mr.. Weed in all the years that he had
been content to execute faithfully the
political orders given him by MI. Weed.
This was true, and Mr.. Weed knew
1t. So. at last. he promised that he
would do what he could to get the
cadetship for the foreman's boy. OF
course his appeal to the congressman
youngster entered West Point, and Mr..
Weed forgot all about the incident,
simply one Of the many minor mat
ters which crowded his days.
Years later, following the Inaugural
ton of Old-Rough-and-Ready as
president, MI. Weed journeyed to
Washington. thinking that he might be
received with some favor by the new
administration since he had been
chiefly instrumental in bringing about
President Taylor's nomination. But
almost as soon as he had arrived at
the capital he discovered that both he
and William H. Seward, then senator
from New York, and a political ally.
were not in favor at the White House.
1t was a serious situation that Mr..
Weed faced, hat Of being bereft Of the
powerful political patronage of New
York state. However, he decided that
he would not leave Washington with
to the president. So he went to the
White House, and sent in his card by
an attendant.
In a moment a young man, coming
from an inner room, almost efusively
rushed up to Mr.. Weed, grasped his
hand, and exclaimed: You are Thur
low Weed. I am very glad to see you.
l wv you a debt of gratitude"
Mr.. Weed looked inquiringly at the
young ma as though trying to recall
him. Seeing his dilemma, the other
said:
You don't know me. You have
never seen me before. But If it had not
been for you I would not now be here.
You secured my appointment at West
Point as cadet from an Adirondack
lumber camp. I am Colonel William
G. Bliss. I am the private secretary
of the president. I served with him in
Mexico"
Following a little pleasant CONVEX
sation, Colonel Bliss asked Mr.. Weed
IL he could do anything for him. Mr..
Weed explained that he was anxious
to see the president. The young man
responded, You shall see him imme-
diately." And a moment later Mr..
Weed was being introduced to the pres
ident by Colonel Bliss as the mar to
whom the colonel owed his appoint
ment to West Point and his subse-
Quent army career.
A few hours later, when Mr.. Weed
started back for New York, he took
, with him the promise OF President Tay-
Tor that he should have all the patron
age ne wanted for New York state. He
had signally triumphed w those OF
his enemies who had ventured at FIRST
to set President Taylor against him.
It is only necessary to add that the
young man who thus unexpectedly
and at q most opportune moment, more
than fully repaid his debt OF gratitude
to Mr.. Weed, was the first husband Of
that recently deceased former mistress
of the White House, who was known
to the present generation as Mrs
cambridge.
Copyright, 1903, by e. J. Edwards,)
Cruelty.
From the United Presbyterian
Mrs Newbride Boohoo! Henr,