The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-01-09

mere was, l thlnk, no Other Tor
NAL invitation for the Baroness Won
Ritz to speak; but now she arose,
swept curtsey first TO Mr.. Tyler
and then to Mr.. Pakenham and Mr.
Calhoun
1T is not to be expected, your
Excellency and gentlemen" said
she, that | can add anything of
value here" Her eyes were de-
murely downcast.
I'VE do not doubt your familiar
ity with many of these late events,
encouraged Mr.. Tyler.
True she continued, the note
of my Lord Aberdeen is today the
property of the streets, and of this
| have some knowledge. | can see,
also, difficulty in it's reception
among the courageous gentlemen of
America. But, as to any written
communication from Mr.. Van
Zandt, there must be some mis-
take"
Il was of the impression that you
would have had it last night re-
joined Pakenham, plainly confused;
in fact, that gentleman advised me
to such effect"
The Baroness Helena Won Ritz
looked him full in the face and
only gravely shook her head. 81
regret matters should be so much
at fault said she.
Then let me explain, resumed
Pakenham, almost angrily. Il will
systematically, of course-that
the promises Of Mr. Van Zandt We're
that her Majesty might expect an
early end of the talk of the annex
alton of Texas to the United States.
The greater power of England up
on land or sea would assure that
weak republic of a great and en-
lightened ALLYN his belief"
An ally" broke out Mr.. Cal
houn. And document sent to that
effect by the attache of Texas" He
smiled coldly. Two things seem
that this gentle lady stands high
in the respect of England's minis
try. Second, that Mr.. Van Zandt,
if all this were true, ought to stand
very low in ours. | would say all
this and much more, even were it
a state utterance, to stand upon
the records of this nation
Sir interrupted Mr.. Tyler,
swiftly turning to Mr.. Calhoun,
may | not ask YOU that it be left
as a state utterance?'
Mr.. Calhoun bowed with the old
time grace habitual to him, his
hand upon his heart. but he made
no answer. The real reason might
have been read in the notified face
of Pakenham, now all the colors of
the rainbow, as he locked from one
to the other.
Mr. Calhoun" continued the
president, you know that the Of
flee Of our secretary of state is va
cant. There is no one living would
serve in that office more wisely
than yourself, no one more in &C,
cordance with my own views as to
these very questions which are be
fore us Since it has come to that
point, | offer you now that office,
and do so officially. l ask your
answer"
The face of England's minister
now for the first time went color
less. He knew what this meant. 80
AS for John Calhoun, he played
with both of them as a cat would
with mouse, sneeringly superior
His answer was couched in terms
suited to his own purposes. This
dignity, Mr.. President" said he,
bowling deeply again, so unexpect-
ed, SO OnerOuS, so responsible, is
one which at least needs time for
proper consideration. | must crave
opportunity for reflection and for
bordering. In my surprise at your
sudden request, | find no proper
answer ready
Here, then, seemed an opportun-
ity for delay, which Mr.. Pakenham
was swift to grasp. lie arose and
bowed to Mr.. Tyler. II am sure
that Mr.. Calhoun will require some
days at least for the framing of his
answer to an invitation so grave as
this
Il shall require at least some mo-
ments . said Mr.. Calhoun, smiling.
That Marseillaise of IA, Mr.. Presi-
dent, says Fifty-four Forty or
Fight. That means the Rio Grande
or fight we'll"
A short silence fell upon us all.
Mr. Tyler half rose and half
trOwned as he noticed Mr.. Paken-
ham shuffling as though he would
depart,
1T shall be, of course, as you
suggest said the president to PAX
enham. There is no record of any
of this. But the answer of Mr.. Cal
houn, which | await and now de-
mand, is one which will go upon
the records of this country soon
enough, | fancy. | ask you, then, to
hear what Mr. Calhoun replies"
Il nave had some certain mo-
ments for reflection. Mr.. Presi-
dent" said he, "and | have from
the first moment of this surpris-
ing offer on your part been humbly
sensible of the honor offered so old
and so unfit man.
Sir, if ] take this office which
you offer, I do so with the avowed
and expressed purpose of bringing
Texas into this Union, in full view
of any and all consequences.
shall offer her a treaty OF annexa-
ton at once! | shall urge annexa-
ton at every hour, in every place,
in all ways within my means, and
in full view OF the consequences"
He looked now gravely and keenly
at the English plenipotenliary.
THAT is we'll understood, Mr.. Cal
houn," began Mr.. Tyler. Your
views are in full accord with my
own.
What. then. is the answer of
John Calhoun to this latest call of
his country"
That answer is one which is in
our history.
John Calhoun accepts" said my