Evening journal., 1912-12-02
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
The Only Man Henry Clay
Ever Acknowledged as His
Superior

By Holland.


In the winter of 1891 Hannibal
Hamlin, who was Vice President OF
the United States from 1861 to 1866,
visited New York city for the purpose
of making an address before the Re-
publican Club. It was my good for
tune to meet the eX-Vice President
while on his way to New York from
Bangor, Maine, his home. had a
conversation Of several hours with
him, and in the course of it l asked
Mr. Hamlin who, in his opinion, was
the ablest public servant he had ever
known, of course leaving Mr.. Lincoln
out of consideration. The instant
reply was;
"I think, all things considered, and
looking back as far as 1S4O, when l
first had personal knowledge of the
great men who were in public life
at Washington, and also going over
in mind the great men whom / knew
between 1S40 and the expiration Of
my term in the United States Senate
in 1881, the most powerful, brilliant
and profound intellect was George
Evans. Did you ever hear Of him?'
Mr.. Hamlin asked with a quaint, in
quisitive smile.
was compelled to confess that
never had.
1T us too bad" Mr.. Hamlin con-
tinued that the memories of public
men are so short lived. ] often think
of that when my mind Wandcrs back
to Mr.. Eyans's career.
There were several remarkable
episodes in his career. but / think
possibly the most sensational one
was associated with the time when
Henry Clay acknowledged that
George Evans was his master and SUI
perior at least in one line Of states-
manship. I will tell you about that
"Nlr. Evans served for seven terms
as a representative from Maine in
the lower house of Congress In
1S41 he entered the United States
Senate from Maine. I have been told
that he was deemed the intellectual
peer of any member of that body, at
least so far as financial and eco
nomic questions were concerned.
Henry Clay was a member of that
Senate. BY custom he should have
been chosen chairman of its finance
committee when the Whig party, in
1S43, secured a majority. But Mr..
Clay said to those who we're present
at the party caucus that he would
cheerfully stand aside, and that If his
wishes were followed George Evans
would be named chairman OF the
committee. For said Mr. Clay, he
has no peer and of course, no super
ior I'm the United States as a master
of all questions relating to the pro-
tective tariff.
81 presume that is the only case
on record" said Mr. Hamlin, when
Henry Clay acknowledged himself
second to any one else in public life.
"Now. l will tell you another re-
markable circumstance associated
with Mr. Eyanss career He was
very warm supporter of General
Zachary Taylor, the Whig candidate
for President in 1S4S He made many
very elective speeches in that cam
paign. After General Taylor's cleo
ton to the Presidency he decided to
offer the post of Secretary OF the
Treasury to George Evans. Some
body told General Taylor that Henry
Clay. five years earlier had stepped
dNluR from lHt OAAAA VI NA' NANA- t-t''--
ship Of the finance committee OF the
Senate and had urged the selection or
George Evans for that post, on the
ground that he understood the tariiI
better than any other man in the
United States. AS the tariff was to
be an important subject for consid-
GRAFTON in Taylors administration, he
decided to offer the Treasury Depart
ment portfolio to Mr.. Evans.
Suddenly, however, General Iay-
lor was Obliged to change his plans;
some secret influence was brought to
bear on him to prevent the appoint
ment of Evans. It was never known
exactly what that influence was, al
though I think Mr.. Evans strongly
suspected what the cause Of 1t was
He never, however, revealed his sus-
picion 10 any one.
"You asked me who, in my opil-
ion. was the ablest man whom l had
ever met in public life, leaving Mr.
Lincoln out Well, il was George
Evans, and like almost every one who
enters American public life. was for
gotten as soon as his public service
was ended