The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1910-06-16

De pTescuI.
Rather late hour, sir" ventured
"Are you keeping faith with DR.
Ward?"
81 have no time for hobbies he
exclaimed, half petulantly. What
must do is this work The man we
are to meet tonight is Mr.. Polk. 1t
is important"
Perhaps half an hour later, Mr.. Cal
houn's old negro man ushered in this
awaited guest, and we three found
ourselves alone in one of those mid
night conclaves which went on in
Washington even then as they do to-
day Mr. Polk was serious as usual;
his indecisive features wearing the
mask of solemnity, which with so
many passes as wisdom
Il have come, Mr.. Calhoun" said he
when the latter had assured him
that my presence would entail no risk
to him-"to talk over this Texas stu
alton. How do you stand in case war
should be declared against Mexico?
That ought to be a popular measure.
The Texans have captured the popular
imagination. The Alamo rankles in
our nations memory. What would
you say to stiff demand there, with
a strong show of military force be,
hind it?"
II should say nothing as to strong
showing in any case. I should only
say that if war came legitimately-
not otherwise-I should back it with
all my might !. feel the same in re-
gard to war with England"
With England? What chance would
we have with 80 powerful nation as
that?'
There is God of Battles" said
John Calhoun.
The chin of James n. Polk of Ten
nessee sank down into his stock. His
staring eyes went half shut. AT last
he spoke, tentatively, as was always
hts way until he got the drift of
things.
well, now, perhaps in the case of
England that is good politics." he be
gan. 1T is very possible that the peo-
pie hate England as much as they do
Mexico. Do you not think 500"
81 think they fear her more"
But was only thinking of the pop
ular imagination"
"You are always thinking of the
popular imagination, Jim. You have
been thinking of that for some time
in Tennessee. All that outcry about
the whole of Oregon is ill-timed to-
day"
'Fffty-Fou Forty or Fight that
sounds WE'LL" exclaimed Polk; 'eh?"
"Trippingly on the tongue, yes!"
said John Calhoun. But how would
it sound to the tune of cannon fire?
How would it look written in the
smoke of musketry?"
ut might not come to that" said
Polk, shifting in his seat 81 was
thinking of it only as a rallying cry
for the campaign. Dash mel beg
pardon" he looked round to see if
there were any Methodists present
"but l believe l could go into the con-
vention with that war cry behind me
and sweep the boards of all opposi-
toni"
And afterwards"
But England may back down." ar
gued Mr.. Polk "A strong showing in
the southwest and northwest might do
wonders for u.s.
But what would be behind that
strong showing, Mr. Polk" demanded
John Calhoun. 1--WE would win the
combat with Mexico, of course, if that
Ubiquitous measure should take the
form of war. But not Oregon-we
might as well or better fight in Africa
than Oregon. 1t is not yet time. In
Gods name, Jim Polk, be careful of
what you do! Cease this cry of ia
king all of Oregon. You will plunge
this country not into one war, but
two. Wait! Only wait, and we will
own all this continent to the Saskatch-
ewan-or even farther north
Well" said the other, have you
not said there is a God of Battles?"
1.-The Lord God of Hosts, yes!'' half
screamed old John Calhoun; Eyes, the
God of Battles for nations for princi-
ples-but not for parties! For the
principle of democracy, Jim Polk, yes,
yes; but for the Democratic party, or
the Wing party, or for any demagogue
who tries to lead either, no, MOI"
The ford face of Polk went livid.
'Sir," said he, reaching for his hat,
'at least I have learned what l came
to learn. know how you will appear
on the floor of the convention. Sir,
you will divide this party hopelessly.
You are traitor to the Democratic
party charge it to your face, here
and now. / came to ask of you your
support, and find you only talking of
principles! Sir, tell me, what have
principles to do with elections?"
John Calhoun looked at him for one
long instant. He looked down then at
his own thin, bloodless hands, his
wasted limbs. Then he turned slowly
and rested his arms on the table, his
face resting in his hands. "My God!"
heard him groan.
To see my chief abused was a thing
not in my nature to endure. l forgot
myself. committed an act whose re-
suits pursued me for many year.
Mr.. Polk, sir" said !, rising and
facing him. damn you, sir, you are
not fit to unite Mr.. Calhoun's shoe! ]