The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1911-09-19
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
When Senator William H. Seward
Wept in Public.
Famous Statesman Broke Down and
sobbed While Delivering the Eu-
lopy on His Friend, Thomas
Rusk Of Texas.
BY E. = EDWARDS.


General Thomas L. Clingman, who
from 1S43 to 1858, with the exception
OF one term, represented North Caro-
lima In the lover house Of congress
and was member Of the senate when
the Civil war began, resigning that
Office to return to North Carolina and
become a Confederate brigadier-gen-
eTal, used frequently to revisit Wash
ington ia the late seventies and early
eighties. He did not come upon any
political errand, for he eschewed pol
itics at the close Of the Civil war. He
was an enthusiastic prophet with re-
speet TO the mineral wealth Of his
state: the first man, in fact, to make
this wealth known. If any one were
willing TO chat with him he would sit
BIZ the hour describing the treasures
Of platinum and OF precious stones.
even diamonds. which he was sure
were within the bowels Of the North
Caroline mountains Notwithstanding
his snow-white beard and the wrinkles
which time had left on his face. he
seemed to be mentally as active az
ever, and there was no faltering In his
step.
OF all the great statesmen Of the
North that l have known" once said
General Clingman TO me, the one
always recall with the greatest salts
faction. Is William II. Seward.
made his acquaintance before l en-
Tered the senate. and that acquaint-
ance. in dHe time. ripened into some
thing like friendship. Did you know
that. in seward's time. there was no
northern member Of the senate who
was on more friendly terms with the
southern members Of congress gener-
aliyg And that reminds me Of the
lirst and only time ! saw Senator
Seward weep in public
Seward became member Of the
senate in 1s4s. Three years before
Texas had sent to the senate as its
FIRST representative in that body Sam
Houston and Thomas j. Rusk. who
had stood second TO Houston ln the
var which had established the inde-
pendeace Of Texas. Between Rusk and
Seward there soon sprang up a friend
~ relation that gradually ripened into
q real Intimacy. and this relation was
a nine days wonder to many. for Sew
ard had then become recognized as
the leading anfi-slayery Whig in the
senate, while Rusk represented
slave state But strange as this init
macy seemed. Il continued unDroken
10 the day 81 Rusk's death in 1855,
when he committed suicide In mo
lnent Of temporary mental alteration.
"Of course the cus, lIaary memorial
services we're held ID the senate, and
Seward delivered one Of the enlogies
In fact his was the chief euIogy. and
J have always regarded 1t as classic.
Bnt the most remarkable thing in con
nection with its delsyerance was that.
suddenly. Senator Seward broke
down He was convulsed with his
grief He buried his face in his hand
kerchief and sobbed 1t was so affect
ing that many Of his colleagues also
were moved to tears.
"A few days later. when I congratu
lated Seward on his eulogy Of his
friend. | suggested that there must
have been something OF an unusual
character to bring two such men as
himself and Rusk together on terms
OF intimacy.
Shortly after President Pierce's
administration began. he told me. j
wassnformed that a personal and very
loyal friend for whom had secured
appointment in one OF the government
departments was in danger Of re.
moval. ] was very anxio-.s that he
should be retained One day I men
toned my apprehension to Senator
Rusk ana told him why ! was 80
anxious tnat this friend should be
retained in the department. lie had
been OF great service 10 me in New
YORK politics. and at considerable per
sonal sacrifice knew. also. that If
he we're removed from this place he
would be in actual want
Senator Rusk begged me to re
lieve my mind OF all apprehension. Il
shall make the retention OF this friend
Of yours the test OF my loyalty to
President Pierce's administration. be
said. He was as good as his word
and now you understand why felt
so keenly the passing Of Thomas
Rusk
Copyright. 1911. by r. j. Edwards. All
Rights Reserved)