Terre Haute Weekly Gazette, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 10 January 1878 — Page 6

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THURSDAY. JANUARY 10.1877.

DANIELWEBSTER

Ljfft Pictures and Characteristic Anecdotes of Daniel Webster.

His Opinion of the Religious World.

Courtsli

in—Personal Courage,

and Planner of Examining Witnesses.

(From Ilarvcy's Ttnroinisconses

I was

The

•.

Daniel

Webster.)

John Colby wa^ a harum scarum godless fellow, who married Webster's eldest half-sister. Learning of his conversion, Webster, who had not seen the man (much his senior, bv the way), since childhood, called upon him for curiosity's sake to witness the change that conversion had wrought in him. 'Is it possible,' said Mr. Colby, when the embarrassment of the first shock of recognition was past, 'that you have come up here to see me? Is this Daniel? Why I can not believe my senses. Why, Daniel, I read about you, and hear about you in all wars. Your name seems to be constantly in the newspapers. They say that you are a great man, and you can't tell how delighted I am when I hear such things. But, Daniel, the time is short— you won't stay here long—I want to ask you one important question. You may be a great man are vou a good man? Are you a christian man? Do you love the Lor.i Jesus Christ? That is the only question that is worth asking or answering. You know, Daniel, what I have been. I have heen one of the wickedest ©f men. But the spirit of Christ and Almighty God ha* come down and plucked me as a brand from the everlasting burning. If you do not love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity and truth all your worldly honors will sink to utter nothingness. Are you a christian? Do vou love Christ? You have not answered me.'

All this was said in the most earnest and vehement manner. 'John Colby,' replied Mr. Webster, 'you have asked me a verv important question, and one which should not be answered lightly. I intend to give you an answer, and one that is truthful, or I won't give you any. I hope that I am a christian. I profess to be a christian. But while I -av this I wish to add—and I say it with shame and confusion of face—that I am n.»t such a christian as I wish I we^, 1 have lived in the world surrounded by its honors and its temptations and I am atraid, John Colby, that I am not t,o good a christian as I ou*ht to be. I am afraid that 1 h-ive not your taithand vour hopes but s-iH I hope and trust that I am a christian, and that the same grace which has converted you and made you an heir of salvation will do the same for me. I trust it and I also trust, John Colby—an.l it wont be long before our1 summons will come—that we shall meet in a better world, and meet those who have gone before us, whom we knew, and who trusted in that same divine free grace. It won't b* long. You can not tell. John Colbv, how much delight it gave me to hear of your conversion. What a wicked man you used to be!' 'Oh Daniel exclaimed Colby. 'You don't remember how wicked I was how ungrateful I was I never thought of God

worse than the heathen, un

til I was arrested by the grace of Christ and made to see my sinfulness. And I wish, Daniel, that you might be a powerful christian, and I believe you are, Daniel,' he added with deep earnestness of voice, 'will you pray with me?'

knelt down and Mr. Webster of

fered a most touching and eloquent prayer. As soon as he had pronounced his 'Amen,' Mr. Colby followed in^ a most pathetic, stirring appeal to God. He prayed for the family, for me, and for everybody. Then we rose, and he seemed to feel a serene happiness in having joined his spirit with that of Mr. Webster in prayer.

bi others-m law soon took an affectionate leave of each other, and we left. Mr. Webster could hardly restrain his tears.

When

we got into the wagon

he began to moralize. 'I should like,' said he, 'to know what the enemies of religion would say to John Colby's conversion. There was a man as unlikelv, .humanely speaking, to become a christian as anv man I ever saw He was reckless, heedless, impious. Whatever people may sav, added r. Web«ter, 'nothing can convince me that anything °hortof the grace of Almighty God could make such a changc as I with Hiv own eves have witnessed in the life of hn Cclbv.' THE STATESMAN'S GREATEST SPEECH,

Speaking of Ms speech one dav, I said: 'Mr. Webster, vour speech, in answer to Hayne has been read, I think, by more intelliger* r"r5r.ic than any other speech in the English language.' 'Oh, no,' replied he,

After

think vot^muRt

-be mistaken about that, You must remember that the speeches ot English oravtors and statesmen were not reported as |our are neither were the English to a fjgreat extent a reading people. Everyfr* thing that' is worth reading and is elo'l0X\ jquent our people read.'

a pause, he went on:

OjM

'Well, I don't know: yon may fee

i^f'^nght in that. ^M^ispeech.' I said that if it was not the greatest speech, it had-the greatest fame. wi&Mi 'Well,'said he, 't suppose it ha=. Nevertheless, it was not. in inv judgment,

the best spe»ch I ever made but as a popular effort it was undoubtedly morj read than any other speech. 'What do you regard as your greatest speech?' I asked. ,4jf 'My forersic efforts have been those that pleased me most. The two arguments that have given me the most satisfaction were the argument in the "steamboat case'' and the Dartmouth college

.argument.

stdbd. But it seemed to me to be against the very essence of rights. WEBSTER'S THEORIES OF COLOR W

DRESS.

He had instinctive sense of the propriety in dress as well as in language. He discriminated colors as accurately as he did thoughts and wished to see them both in their appropriate places. He was particular about the style and quality of his own apparel, and always appeared dressed to suit the occasion and the company. Seeing his little grand-daughter dreieed in white he commended the taste that made the selection, observing that children should wear light and simple colors like the flowers in spring. 'In later life,' he said, 'we require gayer colors. In this respect we follow nature which brings out its brightest colors at the close of the year, and tinges the for est in autumn with varied and brilliant hues.' ,.

HIS PERSONAL COURAGE

Some months after the mobbing of the Federal Republican at Baltimore, 1812,

Mr Webster'and a party of friends being on their way to Washington, were delayed by the breaking down of the coach some

miles north of Baltimore.

Mr. Webster, who -.vas in great haste to reach Washington to attend a trial before the supreme court, resolved to push on to »he nearest village and procure a private conveyance to Baltimore that night. He at last reached the tavern of that village and was ushered by the landlord into a small room which opened into the bar room, which was crowded with people engaged in loud and angry discussion. Supper was ordered and while it was preparing Mr. Webster sent for the landlord to find out whether he could procure a chaise and driver to take him to Baltimore. He told the inn-keeper who he was and why he was in haste. The man made some objection on account of the darkness of the night and the lateness of the hour but finally said lie would try to accommodate him. lie went off and soon returned to say that he hid found a in in who was willing to ta!-,e him to Baltimore, As the landlord passed in and out, Mr. Webster watched the movements and character of the men in the bar-ro iii. He noticed that their lead ing speaker was a tall, muscular man of rather fierce and truculent aspect, who seemed to take the lead of the conversation and to be the oracle of the crowd: Mr. Webster asked the maid servant in attendance at his supper who that man was. 'Why,' said she, with great simplicity, 'don't you know hirn? ThatTs John Mumma, the butcher.'

Mr. Webster then recollected Mumma's share iri the Baltimore riots, but gave himself no further thought about the man. As soon as his hunger was appeased, he notified the landlord that he desired to set out for the city forthwith. The chaise was immediately driven to the door, and Mr. Webster discovered by the light of the landlord's lantern that the identical leader of the mob, John Mumma, was to be the driver It occurred to him at that moment, as he afterward said, that as this man had butchered General Lingan for being a federalist, he mi^ht deem it an act of patriotism to dispatch Mr. Webster also. There was no time for deliberation, however he had proceeded too far to recede. Said he: '1 felt young and strong, and thought that no man could easily put me under the wheel.'

The crowd having learned the name of the stranger huddled around the chaise to get a look at his face. Mr. Webster sprang into the vehicle, followed by his companion. The two drove for three or four miles at a rapid pace, without exchanging word. At length, after entering a dense grove, Mumma drew in his horse and came to a dead halt. Turning to his companion he said: 'Are you Daniel Webster?' 'j.^ 'That is my name,' replied Mr. Webster.' 'Do youknow who I am? said the driver. ,t 'I do,' was the replv. -You are John Mumma, the butcher. 'You know me, then,* he resumed, 'and are you not afraid to ride over this road alone with me in the night?' 'Not in the least,' said Mr. Webster. 'Why should I fear you?' 'I don't know,' said the murderer, 'but I think there is not another federalist in the country who would say so much. 'I am glaa to see you' he added, 'and to free my *nind about these Baltimore riots. We who attacked the jail had no ill- will against General Lingan, General Lee and the others shut up there. We were misled by others. We were told out in the country that the republic was to be ruined and betrayed to ihe enemy bv traitors that a nest of them had a press in Baltimore, and were every week publishing their tieason to the world, and plotting the ruin of the nation,'

Mumma's story was long and minute, and when it was finished they had reached Barn urn's hotel in Baltimore. Mr. VVebster alighted in safetv, and when he offered the stipulated fee to Mumma he refused to take it. saying that was glad of a chance to explain the part he took in the Baltimore riots to one of tfie injured party and wheeling round his chaise he rattled away over the pavements on his way home,

METHOD OF EXAMINIG WITNESSES.

Mr. Webster's method of examining witnesses may be judged from the following scene wh ch occured in a disputed will case. Among the witnesses was a bank cashier, to whom Mr. Webster said:

But, that was not my bies^ nature? Please point out, if you where there is a discrepancy?' 'I do not know as I can tell.' 'But a sensible man can tell why he thinks one thing is not like another.'

The steamboat case,

you remember, was a question of the constitutionality of the right of New York state to give a monopoly to Fulton and his heirs forever of the privilege of plying the waters of the Hudson with his steamboats. The value of the right was not then, and could not have been from the nature of the case, fully under-

'You say you think this is not Mr. Tufts' signature?' 'I was cashier of the bank of which, he was president, and used to see his signature in all forms and very often to obligations and notes and bill.' 'And you think this is not his sigwill,

WeUs(examiningthe note) in.the the top used to be closed.' 'Gentlemen ot the jury, you hear: The top was closed. Go on.' 'The's' at the end of his name was usually kept above the horizontal line this is below.' •Well, any other?' 'Not any other.'

Mr. Webster then took one of -the forty genuine signatures which were in the court, and stating to the juors that it was admitted to be genuine, showed them that the very things the witness had testified Mr. Tufts netfer did, were to be found in this signature, and in nearly every instance.

Tne witness'lbo^H Chop-fatten, and took, his siat and,nearly all the .witness-

es were floored in the same wdv. At last thev came to William P.' Winchester. He sat opposite to me. and looked at Mr. Webster wi an air that said,

You won't get any such answer out of me.' He took the stand and testlled that he did not think the signature genuine.

IK,

•Why?'asked Mr. Webster. 'I can't tell?' was the reply. •But, Col. Winchester, an intelligent man can give a reason for his opinion. Pray, don't give such a statement as that without offering a reason for it.' 'I can't give a reason but if you will allow me to make an illustration I will do so ,.w „.t( 'Certainly.' '~M 'Suppose,' said Mr. Winchester, 'some distinguished man at home or abroad should be seen walking on 'change suppose you were there at high 'change it would be natural to point out Daniel Webster and say,'".here goes the defender of the constitution.' Everybody would mark him, and nobodv could uiistake his identity. They would always know him alterward. But if, in the afternoon, some man brought me a head and two legs and two arms on a platter and asked me to identify them seperately .is belon»in« to Daniel W- bst&r, I r.ould not' swear lo them. In the same way there is something about this signature that does not look genuine but I could not swear to the particulars.'

Mr. Webster smiled at this reply, and told the witness that he might be excused. THE DARTMOUTH PRESIDENT ANB HI^ IN-

DI AX FRESHMEN.

The following anecdote was related by Mr. Webster in reference to his connection with the celebrated Dartmouth college case, in which the New Hampshire legislature attempted to interfere with the ancient charter of that institution in which, it may not be forgotten, Mr. Webster triumphed, by the decision of the United States supreme court confirming the claim of the college. While engaged in the case, Mr. Webster told the president that as the original charter was granted and the endowment made by Lord Dartmouth expressly for the purpose ot civilizing and instructing the Indians, a question might arise on this* point and as no Indians had been attached to this school for a long period, it would be well for the president to go into Canada and bring some ot the aborigines within the walls of the college so that a jury cauld not find that the charter had been abrogated on that score. So accordingly .the president went and found three choice specimens and brought them to the brink of the river, and after some delay he procured a boat and began to ferry them across—when the youug Indians, not precisely understanding the object jf so much kindness on the part of'he president, and espying the walls of the college on the band, had not only their wonder excited, but grew suspicious that if once within those walls, .it might be difficult to escape. Whereupon the young Indian at the bow ot the boat cast a significant glance at his associates, gave the war whoop, and quick as thought they all plunged into the middle of the river and swam for the shore. Said Mr. Webster: 'The falling of the walls of Jericho on the sounding of the rani's horns could not have astonished Joshua more than this unlooked for escapade of the Indians astonished the president. He hallooed, entreated, and tried to explain all, but the Indians kept straight on their course tp the shore, and made with all their speed for the woods— the last President Wheelock ever saw or heard of them.' So Mr. Webster had to go on with the case without the Indians. This anecdote used to amuse him exceedingly and Judge Story would join in with his happy, light-hearted laugh, which only those who.kpew him c.in appreciate.

1 1

To the memory of the lady who won his earliest affection, who shared the trials and the triumphs of his early manhood, Mr. Webster retained to the end of his life an unfaltering devotion. He could never speak of his first wife without visi'bie emotion. Giace Fle'cher Webster was a person of very delicate organization both physically and intellectually yet she was energetic, and when occasion required she exhibited a rar.i fortitude. To her husband's welfare she was entirely devoted, she presided over his household with peculiar grace and dignity, and really seemed to live for him. When he was at home she sought his comfort and pleasure when he was absent her thoughts as her beautiful letters testify, were of him day and night.- She wrote to him almost daily.

Why is lamp-chimney like a Chicago savings bank? No one appears able to answer this—Danburv News. That's a mere snare. It's too easy: I—Because they're sure to break. II—Because a soot is apt to grow out of them. ••Ill— Because they burn your fingers. IV— Because they can't stand a long draft. V—Because' there something wick-ed at the bottom of them. VI—Because they are hollow. VII—Because they've benzine to tust. VIII—But there! there! we're weary, we're a-weary, *e are sad and sore perplexed let our answer to your querry be continued cur next— Philadelphia Bulletin.

THE TELEPHONE OUTLINEDRobert Hooke.of London, F. R. A. D. 1668. I'ts not impossible to hear a whisper at a furlong's distance, it having leen already done. I can assure the reader that I have, by the help of a distended wire, propagated the sound to a very considerable distance in an instant, or with as seemingly quick a motion as that of life at least,

THE.Prairie City draughting club is engaged a grand family tournament for a prize of an inlaid baard a set of ivory men.

SPECIE.

Th? ,SiJ,yer Question

Discussed by Hon. M. C. Hunter at Dpwlinq Hali Last Night.

A Report of the Honorable Gentleman's Opinions on the Finance

''%-yf

®aestion'

The following speech was delivered' at Dowling hall, Friday January 4th: Dowling Hall was crowded last evening with representatives irom all political taiths to hear Gen. M. C. Hunter's views on the money question. The speaker commenced by givng the different acts of congress during the past half century on the finaince question up lo the year 1S73, when the silver dollar was dropped from coinage* since which time, has been issued tbe trade dollar, which contained

420

1873

'"j,

,V5 WEBSTER'S COURTSHIP. Ss The

"following has been related as the

way in which Mr. Webster became engaged to his loving and devoted wite. He saw her first when he was a young lawyer at Portsmouth and she was Miss Grace Fletcher. Atone of his visits he had, probably with a view ot utility and enjoyment, been holding 6keins of silk thread for her accommodation he stopped and said: •Grace, we have been engaged in untying knots let us see if we cani.ot tie a knot which will not untie in a lifetime.'

He then took a piece of tape, and after beginning a knot of a peculiar kind, gave it to her to complete. This was the ceremony and ratification of their engagement. And in the little box marked by him with the words 'presious documents.' containing these letters of his early courtship, 1 his unique memorial was found— the knot never untied.

1875

grains of silver. In iS73r

when the silver dollar was demonetize.1. it was worth more than gold, but why it should be, or why anv bondholde. would prefer to take gold, 1 cannot understand—because the silver dollar was worth the most. From

1852,

gentlemen,

down to 18731 there was very lit tie silver used and the reason of it is this, the discovery of the mines in California were principally gold mines, therefore from

1852

down to

the gold of this country seemed to be more plentiful than silver and as a natural consequence the article that was the scarcest became the dearest. Therefore the silver went abroad and gold remained here. 1 have examined the records carefully and I can tell you about what was done if you wilt examine the journal you will find that the bill was discussed in the senate, bull there was one remarkable thing, you wilfip.d that nearly every section was dist cussed except section 14, providing that the silver dollar should nut be. coined. From some cause or other tha section was not discussed» The senate seemed to understand the bi 11 buf in the house the bill wa3 not discussed. Tne bill contained some sixty sections. It was reported to the house and they undertook to read it, but, like other bills, it became monotonous, and an old gentleman from Massachusetts—Mr. Hooper—was called upon to explain it. He said that it was a bill to r.»gulate coin so as to correspond w.-tti weights and measures. That seemed all right everybody seemed to take ir for granted, seemed to think that was all thete was in the bill and it was order printed and the bill passed, the vote in the house standing ayes

123

noes

11.

The vote

was a standing vote and of course jou can not tell who voted for or against

From

no mai ever heard a

word about this bill the country seemed to lose sight of it. But in

1S75

you will remember in Nevada

they began to take from the depths, way down

2000

teet, they began to

strike

pockets of almost solid silver and the news spiead all over this country, as

THE GREAT BONANZA,

and that bonanza was nothing more or less than heavy deposits of almost pure silver. They commenced "to turn out silver by the ton instead of the pound. Then the question arose what we should do with it. Every body says, make money out of it, as it was more plentiful than gold. In 1875 I commenced to study tnis subject, I ne/er thought of the remonetezition of silver before. Even Gen. Grant himself when his attention was called to it was surprised to see that he had signed a bill prohibiting the coining of silver. I have no doubt you all thoroughly understand this question. 1 find that most ot the people here arc in favor of making the silver dollar out of silver. But the question is what kind of dollarb ate you going to make. I am your representative, and I want to tell you what 1 have done. The gentleman from Missouri—Mr. Bland— introduced a bill on one Monday morn ing which provided for the remonetizaof the old silver dollar and making it a legal tender for all

debts

public and pri

vate. Under the rules of the house he had a right 10 move the previous question, and that cut off all the amendments, not a word could be said on the question. We had to vote for the bill as it was we had to vote for or against it. We had no right to amend it, to make a speech or anything else. I cast my vote for that bill [applause] authorizing the remonetization of the old silver dollar ot 412)^ grains and making it a full legal tender for all debts public and private. That bill went to the senate, and they have been discussing, but they have come to no conclusion yet, and to what conclusion they will come, I cannot tell. I shall be called upon to vote again on that question, but in what shape, I cannot tell. What kind of a dollar shall we make Thei'e is a great deal of misunderstanding before the country and I want to give you tbe bill as it is 1 want to see what you want me to do. A great many men are in favor of coining the silver dollar containing 412)^ grains for paying off the public debt, they say that the silver dollar is the kind of silver we are to pay our bonds with. Now gentlemen I don't understand that that is the law. I think that the law is this: For instance, I give you my note to-day payable ten years from date that note is payable in the kind of dollar that is the dollar of the Uuited States at, the time it ttecomes due. [Applause] The bonds we issued become due in 1881. Now therefore the lawful money of the United' States in 1881 is the kind of coin that these bonds are payable in. [Applause]. Well, they say that we have no right to change the money—to make our silver dollar worth more or less. I tell you that is not the law. In 1792 the gold dollar was required to contain 24 75-100 of oure gold and that remained the law till July 31st, 1834, but in 1S34 they made the gold dollar contain nearly one grain less than it had contained before.. Now, if our fathers had that right, certainly we have thesame right. [Applause.] Gentlemen, I am in favor of the silver dollar, containing 412% grains of standard silver. I say, let us coin a silver dollar containing just the number of grains we see fit. I don't believe one dollar of our debt will ever be paid in silver. When we pay the interest on our debt in Europe we don't go there and take silver over there or they don't bring their gold here. In Great Britain where.

pay most of our bond-

»tl debt 'silver is demonetized. So if we have a silver dollar here and we updeitake to pay a silver dollar there, we find that we can't do it. We'have got to setid the silver there by the ton—got to pav by measure because it is not money there, and you will find that the expense and risk would cost more than It would pay it in gold. I don't care what kin.l of silU'i dollar we kstablish, for in mv judgement, our debts will paid in gold I want to sav to that this silver question is gne of the most important questions ever before this country. It is a question that has go" to j»ive this people relief, if we make a silver dollar and mske it right. But if we make it and afterwards so to quarreling about it it will do ju&t as much harm a* good. In my honest opinion, we will never have good times till this financial question is settled and taken out of politics. [Applause.! As long as you let it remain in politic* you will- never restore confidence in the world. Now let us make the silver dollar a full legal tender which I think we ought '"to do, and if we coin the ^silver it will give us all the money we need in our bnsi ness,and in t-ix months from the time we commence we wiil be upon a specie basis. Some say that I did wrong in voting for the Bland bill.—412^ grains of silver now is worth 92 cents greenback dollar ninety-eight cents and, a gold dollar is said to be worth one hundred cents. Now what would be the value of a silver dollar after remonetiza* tion no one can tell. If we take 412)^ grains of silver and remonetize it, it may be worth 100 cents, and it may not. It is important that We have our silver dollar and greenbacks of the same value, and if we don't we shkll always have trouble. You will find that the laboring man will be paid in the poorest money and the rich men in the best money. I want our greenback money equal to gold so that the poor man wi.l have the same kind of money as the bondholders. You will find that the remonetization of silver will not only pay the debt, but do all th^ business of the country. It is important that congress shall settle this question and if it does not settle it, I tell you if it comes into the next canvass, you will find that there will be twice as many bankruptcies as there were lat vear. I tell you the great trouble is there is no confidence in the country. You ask what is the cause of this tioutle? I will trv and give you the reason, if lean. In

i860,

we all then

in this country got along very well. I believe we had at that time. Including our i^old, about

$265,000,000.

The people wtre not in debt then. Now when the war broke out in

1S61,

Uncle

Sam then needed the services of the men of the country Uncle Sam then became the purchastr of everything in the country. But in

1862

it.

our money gave

out, we had not. enough to do the budiHess of tfre country. There was no gold or silver in the country, and the banks all over the country were suspending. The question then aro9e where are we to get th money. I think l.oth pariies in this country have done wrong

011

this question

It was ascertained that the only way they could get the money needed was to issue U"nited States notes now called greenbacks. The question then arose whether or not th should be made a legal tender. Now 1 hold that congress has Ihe power at an time to do anything necessary to preserve this government. [ApplauseJ. We issued treasury notes. This has been done from the very foundation of thejgovernment down, but they were only issued for trmporary purposes, and in every instance when the time passed for their use they paid the interest and they retired. You will find that the government has alwas paid gold and silver. They never intended to make them legal tenders, and it was said that congress had nt right or power to make paper legal tender, but there never waj such a crisis as we had in 1862, and the question was whether or not congress had the -ower. You will find that every man who said that it had was a democrat. Old Thadeus Stevens said that the government had the power to do. any thing in the time of need, that the government has the power to do anything for the good of the country. In 1864 the representative from this district, who was a Democrat, voted for paving the interest on the bonds in gold. The speaker continued in regard to the error made by the Republicans. In March, 1867, Congress, which was then Republican, passed a bill known as 'a bill .to strengthen public credit,' providing that our bonded debt should be paid in coin and not in greenbacks. At that time gold was coined and so was silver. The Republicans, took this ground they said these bonds are not payable till 1881 and their action would result all right. There was a great deal of turmoil in the country about these bonds and to settle the question they decided by declaring them payable in coin. The} said when these bonds became due the greenback would probably be equal to coin and it would therefore make no difference. Now there is another difference. I know I am in a community where we have a great many greenback men, I have no fight to make with them, not a word, a great many of them are my warmest friends. But they say that under the constitution, under the law, these bonds are payable in greenbacks, and they are therefore in favor of paying off greenbacks. Now gentlemen in part we agree and in part we disagree. Now gentlemen if you will examine the contract you will find that at the time this contract was made it was declared that no more than 400 millions of greenbacks would be struck. Now I believe the bonds are payable in greenbacks but under the law you must pay it out of that 400 millions. I do not believe that^you have the right to make more and pay out of tha*. If you make these greenbacks equal to coin of course it makes no difference, but I say vou have not the power now to strike more greenbacks and pay off the bonds and if you do strike more you violate that contract. I believe they are payd ble in the greenbacks we now have, an, not in those we shall issue in the future

I commenced to tell you about the. hard times. Throughout the war there was a great deal of prosperity, everybody got out pf debt,but they were only "transfering tbfeir debts from their own shoulders to those of Uncle Sam so at the close of the war the people were out of debt, but Uncle Sam had this great public debt. During the war, Uncle Sam paid high prices for every thing becanse everything was required from the spear "of grass to corn, hogs, cattle, and* every

thing—the government needed it After the war was over, our American citizens got a spell of speculative fever. They had no heart to go unto legitimate business. At the end of the war. favCook WM worth 10 nvllion dollars and his ambition was to be the richest man in the country. He projected the »r.*at Northern Pacific railroad Every body had such confidence in him and thought whatever he did was all ri^ht. He commenced to build the ro id—thousands of mife* all over the west. Why, up heri iri Pirki county are three or fo ir ^ads

graded,

but

n"0

iron ut»cn them. So btnds were issued, thousands and thousands of laborers were employe J. the furnaces of the country were hot with employed industry.' But in 1S73 the sentiment of these men who held the bonds took a sud len change. They said what would these roads be worth. Jay Cook told them if thev didn't like the bond to return them and I will pay you for them. When the bonds commenced coming back he kept up his credit by paying for the.bonds. But the bonds kept coming in and by and by the money ran out and«ne morning in September 1873 at ten o'clock Cook's doors were closed. The news spread all over the country.—news that Jay Cookp

WAS BUSTED.

F,'?

Everybody commenced running after money but could not get a cent. The result of it was that thousands of banks had to be closed all over the United States all enterprise stopped laborers were turned out of jyse and home, The capitalists then commenced to withdraw their money from the people and taking it east ana putting lt.vin banks. Here we people in the west had been depending on this money and they were taking it to the east. Now gentleman you see that this

MUSHROOM PROSPERITY.

did not have a solid foundation to rest upon. About this time came the Chicago fire, where over three hundred millions of property was destroyed then followed the Boston fire, and millions of dollars ha\e been literally buried and destroyed. When the great panic of 1873 came upon us everybody lost confidence. There was no money in the country there was mone^ of course, but it did not circulate. I say our greenback is good money, our national bank money is good. Remonetize silver money, coin all we can and then take the question out of politics and you will find that in six months prosperity will dawn and the laboring man will have a chance to live. We used to think good crops made prosperity. Did you ever have any better crops. I tell vou there is no confidence in "the country. I would like to know what to the voice of this com nunitv what kind of a silver dollar do you wan'? Do you' want one worth one hund'ed- cents? Dtj you want the go'd silver an.l greenback dollar equal? ['Jries of ye-, yes, yes.] I want to know what you want me to= do. [Cries of 412},^ grains what we want.] Now, suppose that bill comes back amended and says we will have to put more silver in it to make it equ81, what shall I do? [Voice —4i2£ is enough]. Suppose we just set there and fight over that question. A part wanting 412^ grains and others wanting more, and we don't settle it till next canvass, what dr you say then? [A voice—''Put different men in "end men that will settle it"j I voted far the 412^ grains. [Applause.)

Mr. W. W. Byers arose and asked 'How will 412% grains make a silver dollar equal to a gold dollar?'

Mr Hunter—When we put the *tam|» on 412}* grains and declare it a legal tender it will pay a debt just the same as gold. The speaker continued

Haying

that

he intended to work in the interest of the laboring classes. He was applauded fre.quently during the evening.

TILDEN'S DETERMINATION. The public may as well know, once for all, that we have not entirely done with Tilden yet, is the presidential question yet settled. Bv the term) of the electoral bill the defeated candidate has his recourse to the supreme court, and Mr. Tilden will, in his own good time, avail himself of that right. This is not a ben*ationaI statement, but the words of truth and soberness. I know whereof lam (peaking when I say Mr. Tilden is fully resolved to contest his right to the presidency before the courts. He ha* never for a moment wavered in that determination. As a preliminary step in that direction he took the oath of office on the 4th of March last, and has been swearing ever since, for that matter. Not that he expects to succeed in ousting Hayes ffom his seat, unless in the meantime such a change should come over the political complex on of things as to render tuch a result probable. But his object, the main, is to reopen the question for discussion at the proper time to have it* effect on the next Democratic national convention. He expects to present such an array of facts to the public that, whether the legal points involved are decided in his favor or not, such an excitement will be created and such a feeling evoked in his favor, as to render his renomination in 1880 a foregone conclusion. He has had men in his employ, ever since the contest was decided against him, collecting and collating the evidence, and it is the business of his life to superintend the work as it progresses. He has a orivate printing office of his owh, with trusty men employed, sworn to secrecy, whose business it"is to print the matter as it is prepared.

But it is idle to speculate at this time. The main facts you can rely upon. The presidential contest is not over, and will not be for years. The interview with Tilden, published some time since in the New York Herald, and afterwards feebly denied, was substantially true, and was procured by Tilden himself, as a feeler of public sentiment.

A magnificent masquerade ball was given on November

by the Earl and

Countess of Bective at their seat in Westmoreland England. Lady B. who is very handsome and distinguished in appearance changed her dresses thrice.f She received as Mary Queen of Scots, in a most sruperb of white satin, covered with gold brocade and jewels. By her side was a little girl as Queen of Butterflies Lady B.'s second dress was Esmeralda, a short black satin dress, richly trimmed with gold lace and sequins and a Turkey red handkerchief round the neck. The last dress was the Queen of hearts, a foam of white lace over white satin and silver tissue, having the shimmering effect of liquid silver with red hearts surmonnt ed by a Queen's crown, a diamond in th centre of each heart, on the shirt th bodies was a blaze of brilliants, and a. gridle of then encircled the waist.