POLITICS AND PEN PICTURES

AT HOME AND ABROAD

CHAPTER I.

National Whig Convention at Harrisburg-General Harrison-Honorable Henry Clay-General Scott-John Tyler-James Barbour-Benjamin Watkins Leigh-Judge Burnet-Horace Greely.

WHEN the National Whig Convention assembled at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, December 4, 1839, it had before it three eminent aspirants to the presidency-General William Henry Harrison, Henry Clay, and General Winfield Scott. Twenty-two States were represented, and many of the delegates were men of distinction. Virginia was represented by several of her most eminent men-John Tyler, Governor James Barbour, and Benjamin Watkins Leigh, who would have been recognized as illustrious in any assembly.

The venerable Judge Burnet led the delegation from Ohio. Among the conspicuous men from New York was Horace Greeley. I was one of the youngest men in the Convention, taking my seat as a delegate from Alabama.

Leaving Montgomery in mid-winter, I travelled to Harrisburg with the ardor of youth to take part, for the first time, in national politics. Taking Washington in my way, I made a brief stay there, and saw for the

first time Congress in session. Honorable William C. Preston, a senator from South Carolina, received me with marked kindness and consideration. I had read law in his office in Columbia, after graduating at the renowned College of South Carolina, and I enjoyed a life-long, personal friendship with him. Mrs. Preston, the lovely and accomplished Miss Penelope Davis, was with the distinguished senator, giving an indescribable charm to their home in Washington. I met for the first time many of the public men of the country. Mr. Preston asked if I had ever seen Mr. Webster, and learning that I had not, said: "You must see Webster; he looks the great man more than any of us." Entering the gallery of the Senate-chamber, next day, I looked down upon that assemblage of illustrious men. Mr. Webster was in his seat, and his appearance justified Mr. Preston's remark. He recalled to me the idea of classic grandeur; there was in him a blended dignity and power, most impressive; his head was magnificent, the arch of imagination rising above the brows, surmounted by a development of veneration resembling that of the bust of Plato; and as he sat in his place, surrounded by his peers, it seemed as if the whole weight of the government might rest securely on his broad shoulders. His large, dark eyes were full of expression, even in repose; the cheeks were square and strong; his dark hair and swarthy complexion heightened the impression of strength which his whole person made upon me as I saw him for the first time, an impression that was deepened when he rose to his feet, and walked the floor of the Senate-chamber. There was in his appearance something leonine. He was in full dress; he never neglected this. When he delivered his great speech in reply to Hayne, it is known that he wore a dress-coat of dark blue cloth with gilt buttons, buff vest, and white cravat, so that, some one has said, he displayed the colors of the Revolution.

CLAY AND CALHOUN.

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I saw Mr. Clay for the first time, and his commanding and striking person attracted and impressed me. He was unlike Mr. Webster; his light complexion, blue eyes, and animated manner displayed an ardent nature—I at once recognized a leader among men. His appearance was not less intellectual than that of the other great statesman; his forehead was high and finely proportioned, and his features expressed intellect, ardor, and courage; his nose and mouth were large, and of the Roman cast. If Mr. Webster reminded one of the majestic aspect of the lion, Mr. Clay's face suggested that of the eagle-his eyes were brilliant and attractive. When he rose to speak, standing over six feet in height, spare and vigorous, his appearance was most commanding; and certainly with his singularly clear, sonorous, and musical voice, that rose and fell with perfect cadence, one felt that never in ancient or modern assemblies had a greater master of popular thought and passion stood in the midst of men. He was a man of heroic mould, grand in every way, of vast energy, bold plans, comprehensive views, full of decision, and swaying men by the qualities of a great, generous, fearless nature. He was attentive to dress, and when I saw him for the first time he wore a dress-coat of brown broadcloth, a heavy black cravat, and the collar of his shirt was of the largest style, touching his ears.

There, too, seated in the midst of his peers, was Mr. Calhoun. I had seen him some years previously; when he was Vice-President he made a visit to the South Carolina College at Columbia, while I was a student in that renowned institution. I had observed him with youthful ardor, regarding him as the impersonation of statesmanship of the highest order. His appearance was not less impressive than that of the two eminent men just described all were recognized as giants in that body where they contended for the mastery. He stood quite six feet in height, spare, but vigorous and erect, the imper

sonation of intellectual grandeur; his face was Grecian, the brow square, and the forehead finely developed, from which the thick hair was brushed upward; the mouth resolute; and the chin, in its shape and firmness giving an expression of purpose and determination, recalled the bust of Cæsar; his eyes, dark gray, were full of fire, and when he was animated blazed with the ardor of his great soul. The whole aspect of the man was that of regnant power. A sculptor, seeking a model for a statue representing dignity, intellectual power, and high purpose, would, without doubt, have chosen Mr. Calhoun. Mr. Calhoun was habitually dressed in black, and in the Senate-chamber, at all times, wore a morning costume.

His colleague, Mr. Preston, had barely touched the line of mature manhood; his ruddy complexion, blue eyes, and auburn hair gave him the appearance of an English gentleman. His face beamed with animation, and there was an unusual grace in his attitudes; his voice and diction were surpassingly fine; and, surrounded as he was in that body with so many men of culture and power, he was without a peer as an orator. His orations, like those of Pericles, were so brilliant that they deserved to be called Olympian. A fine portrait of Mr. Preston, by Healey, is in the Corcoran Gallery, in Washington.

There were other senators whose appearance attracted my attention, as I was seated in the chamber. I give here only the sketch of some of the great leaders, but I wish in these pages to describe many of them as I became personally acquainted with them in later years. In conversation with Mr. Preston, I found that he was quite as ardent in support of Mr. Clay's claims for the presidency as myself.

It so happened that I travelled to Harrisburg in company with Mr. Tyler, and I was honored by his attentions There was an indescribable charm in his manners, and his conversation was fascinating. He seemed to think

to me.