Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1909-11-19
THE BREAD THAT
RETURNED TO
THURL0W WEED
BY {. ]. EDWARDS.

ical history knows Thurlow Weed, who
died in 1882 at the green old g OF 80,
was one of the most remarkable and
astute politicians that this country has
ever produced. He it is who, more than
any other man, brought about the nom
nation of Harrison and Taylor for
president in 1910 and 1S48, respectively.
He Ii was who was largely responsible
for the presidential nominations or
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 and per-
haps declaring war on the 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 h power that
its possession implied, taken away from
him. And the manner In which this
victory-which, l believe, has hitherto
escaped acknowledgements to Mr.. Weed,
inevitably calls to mind the biblical
AAlJuilSllOll ~ SSS SOhA upSAA LIN
waters, that it may be returned to you
after many days.
Back in the '30s, 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-
dack mountains, called one day upon
Mr.. Weed and explained that he was
most anxious that the son of the fore
man of one of his camps should be APP
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, "I have
seen him, and he tells me that he has
promised the cadetship to a constitu-
emit"
well, if he has promised it he must
keep his promise" declared Mr.. Weed.
However, / will see that the boy is APP
pointed a midshlpman at the Naval
academy"
But the 1umberman 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 Mr.. Weed.
This was true, and Mr.. Weed knew
1t. So, 1t 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
was all sufficient, the North Woods
~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, Mr.. 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, n a political ally,
were not in favor at the White House.
1t was a serious situation that Mr..
Weed faced, that Of being bereft of the
powerful political patronage of New
York state. However, he decided that
he would not leave Washington with
out at least calling to pay his respects
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 effusively
rushed up to Mr.. Weed, grasped his
hand, and exclaimed: You are Thur
low Weed. / am very glad to see you.
l w you a debt Of gratitude"
Mr.. Weed looked inquiringly at the
young man 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 1t had not
been for you / would not now be here.
You secured my appointment at West
Point as cadet from an Adirondack
lumber camp. l am Colonel William
C. Bliss. 1 am the private secretary
of he president. | served with him in
Mexico"
Following a little pleasant CONVEX
sation, Colonel Bliss asked MI. Weed
If 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 man to
whom the colonel owed his ~appoint-
ment to West Point and his subse.
G3cGt 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 nave all the patron
age he wanted for New York state. He
had signally triumphed over those OF
his enemies who had ventured at first
to set President Taylor against him.
1t Is only necessary to add that the
young man who thus unexpectedly
and at a 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, 1908, by E. ]. Edwards1