Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1911-01-05

Mr. Van Zandt, there must be some
mistake!"
II was Of the impression that you
would have had 1t last night" rejoined
Pakenham, plainly confused; I'm fact.
that gentleman advised me to such Of
feet"
The Baroness Helena Won Ritz looked
him full in the face and only gravely
shook her head. Il regret matters
should be so much at fault" said she.
Then let me explain" resumed
Pakenham, almost angrily. I win
Systematically, OF course-that the
promises Of Mr.. Van Zandt were that
her majesty might expect an early
end pf the talk of the annexation of
TexfR to the United States. The
greater power of England upon land
or SEQ would assure that weak repub-
lie of p great and enlightened ally
in his Belief"
IAN ally!" broke out Mr.. Calhoun.
And document sent to that effect
by the attache of Texas!" He smiled
coldly. Two things seem very appar.
ent, Mr.. President. First, that this
gentle lady stands high in the respect
of England's ministry. Second. that
Mr.. Van Zandt, If all this were true,
ought to stand very low in ours. I
would say all this and much more.
even were 1t a state utterance. to
stand upon the records OF this ma.
toni"
Sir" interrupted Mr.. Tyler. swiftly
turning to Mr.. Calhoun, may I not
ask you that 1t be left as state ut.
terance?"
Mr.. Calhoun bowed with the old.
time grace habitual to him.
"Mr. Calhoun" continued the prest
dent, you know that the office of our
secretary Of state is vacant There is
no one living would serve In that office
more wisely than yourself. no one
more in accordance with my own
views as to these very questions which
are before us. Since ii has come to
that point, offer you now that office.
and do SO officially. l ask your an.
swer."
The face OF England's minister now
for the first time went colorless. He
knew what this meant.
AS for John Calhoun, he played with
both Of them as a cat would with q
mouse, sneeringly superior. His an
swer was couched in terms suited to
his own purposes. This dignity, Mr..
President" said he. bowling deeply
again. so unexpected. SO onerous. SO,
responsible, Is one which at least
needs time for proper consideration.
must crave opportunity for reflection
and for pondering. In my surprise at
your sudden request. I find no proper
answer ready"
Here. then. seemed an opportunity
for delay, which Mr.. Pakenham was
swift to grasp. He 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 Tight
as we'll"
A short silence fell upon us all.
Mr.. Tyler half rose and half frowned
as he noticed Mr.. Pakenham shuffiing
as though he would depart.
1T shall be, of course. as you sug-
gest," said the president to Paken-
ham. There is no record Of any Of
this. But the answer of Mr. Calhoun.
which ! await and now demand. Is one
which will go upon the records Of this
country soon enough. fancy. I ask
you, then. to hear what Calhoun re-
plies"
Il have had some certain moments
for reflection, Mr. President" said he.
"and have from the first momont OF
this surprising offer on your part been
humbly sensible of the honor offered
so old and so unfit a man.
"Sir, If l take this Office which you
offer. ] do so with the avowed and ex-
pressed purpose Of bringing Texas
into this Union, in full view of any
and all consequences. ! shall offer
her treaty Of annexation at once! |
shall urge annexation at every hour.
in every place. in all ways within my
means. and In full view Of the conse-
quences!" He looked now gravely
and keenIy at the Englishman.
"That is well 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 coun-
try?"
That answer is one which Ia in our
history.
John Calhoun accepts!" said my
master, loud and clear.
(To BE CoNTINUED.)