USA > Indiana > Early Indiana trials: and sketches. Reminiscences > Part 10
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62
EXCITING SCENES IN THE HOUSE.
IN the progress of the session there arose a most exciting and inter- esting personal debate between John Randolph, John C. Wright, Alexander Smyth, Samuel D. Ingram and James Hamilton, Jr., in which George Kreemer was at last involved. The powers of John Randolph are widely known, and need no indorsement by me. The other gentlemen were not entirely unknown to fame. George Kree- mer had made himself famous as the author of the Card charging Mr. Adams and Mr. Clay with a bargain that Mr. Clay should vote for Mr. Adams for President, in consideration of which Mr. Adams should
103
EXCITING SCENES IN THE HOUSE.
appoint Mr. Clay, Secretary of State, an event the prognostication of which was like predicting, as the sun sets behind the western hills, that he will rise in the morning in the east. It was like the guess of another wise prognosticator, that Martin Van Buren would support Gen. Jackson after he left Mr. Crawford, and that the General would appoint him Secretary of State. These appointments grew out of the nature and fitness of things, and not out of a corrupt bargain, as calum- niators charged, and yet the charge stuck to Henry Clay through his whole life and is still like a poisonous miasma hovering over his tomb. The debate had lasted days, when John C. Wright arose to reply ; he had already placed himself at the very head of the House as a cool, collected, pointed, sarcastic debater ; nothing could excite him or throw him off his balance. As he arose I observed Mr. Randolph rise and walk down the main isle toward the door. Mr. Wright, in a loud voice, " I have a word for the gentleman from Virginia, the same gentleman I now see retreating from the hall of the House." Mr. Randolph, turn- ing and walking back to his seat, with his shrill voice, "I am not retreating, I am not retreating." "No, Mr. Speaker, the gentleman is advancing, I hope he will remain with us, I have much to say to him to day." In the course of his remarks he was very severe, so much so at times as to bring down the hammer of the Speaker. While he was upon Mr. Randolph, Gen. Hamilton, of South Carolina, who was one of the worshipers of Mr. Randolph, sprang to his feet and at the top of his voice, under great excitement, "The most infernal tongue that was ever placed in a man's head, and wholly irresponsible ; ehal- lenge him, and he will swear he can't see the length of his arm." This idea grew out of the answer of Mr. Wright to the challenge of Romu- lus M. Saunders-"I have received your challenge, but can not accept it; owing to the imperfection of my vision I could not tell your honor from a sheep, ten steps." The moment Mr. Wright took his seat, George Kreemer rose, and with a voice like a newly-weaned mule colt, " The gentleman reminds me of an old hen I have at home, that is always cackling and never lays an egg." As flat as this was, there was, evidently by preconcert, a roar of laughter over the House for the moment. Mr. Wright rose in an instant. " I rise, Mr. Speaker, to a point of order. I wish to learn from the Chair whether it would be in order to read the record of an indictment for perjury which I hold in my hand, against one George Kreemer?" The Speaker, much excited -" Certainly not, certainly not." "I only asked for information, I have no disposition to violate the rules of the House." The excite- ment had now become intense. The House adjourned. Mr. Wright and Mr. Vaughan, the British Minister, started down the Avenue arm
104
EARLY INDIANA TRIALS.
in arm; when near Third street some one pushed them off the pave- ment into the gutter. Mr. Vaughan always went well armed, and turning his eye to Mr. Wright, " Who was that ?" " Never mind it ; he is an aggrieved member of Congress." The moment the House met the next morning Mr. Kreemer rose to a matter personal to him- self, stated the facts connected with the prosecution against him, showed that he was acquitted, and had been twice elected to Congress from his district afterward. The matter was passed by, and the House proceeded to business.
I may spend a day of leisure in the Supreme Court of the United States, with my next sketch.
105
COL. CROCKETT, ETC.
[FRIDAY MORNING, AUGUST 27, 1857.
COL. CROCKETT.
THERE has been much said and written of Col. David Crockett, who was a member of the twentieth Congress. He has been repre- sented as an unlettered, uncouth, and ignorant man-a mere back- woods buffoon. I knew the Colonel well. He was a large, muscular man, with great bodily strength, and as brave a man as ever lived. IIe was comparatively without education, it is true, but his strong common sense gave him an efficiency greater than many of the higher class of members could boast. The Colonel had a newspaper con- troversy with his colleague, Col. Prior Lee, that became very bitter, and I believe, ended in a challenge on the part of Mr. Lee. But no duel followed, as Col. Crockett told me he was on principle opposed to settling controversies in that way. The gallant Colonel and his comrades afterward fell, covered with wounds, overpowered by superior numbers, at the battle or massacre of the Alamo, by the Mexicans under Santa Anna, while bravely fighting for the independence of Texas.
NORTH CAROLINA INTELLIGENCE.
THERE arose a personal debate during the session, between Judge Dorsey, of Maryland, and Samuel P. Carson, of North Carolina, which became highly interesting to the House, as it was carried on with the utmost good humor on both sides. It was evident, however, that Judge Dorsey had decidedly the advantage of his North Carolina competitor. The debate ultimately turned upon the comparative intelligence of the constituents of these gentlemen. Mr. Carson had charged the people of the eastern shore of Maryland with igno rance of the history of the country, owing to their inability to read or write, and closed with a most ludicrous account of the subserviency of the Marylanders to the supposed great men of the country. The good humor of the House seemed to be on the side of North Carolina, when Judge Dorsey rose to reply, his face covered with fun. John Leeds Kerr, afterward United States Seuator, whispered in my ear, " Dorsey can say funny things." I give a sketch of his speech from recollection. " The gentleman says my constituents are ignorant and illiterate ; I will not retort upon those who sent him here, but relate a few facts and leave the House to judge between us. Dates are im- portant. The late war was declared in 1812, aud the British army ingloriously burned the capitol in 1814, to the lasting disgrace of that
.
106
EARLY INDIANA TRIALS.
nation. The whole scene was immediately published in the National Intelligencer, and copied into every paper in the United States. The war was over and peace restored by the treaty of Ghent. Just ten years after the burning of the Capitol, my business took me into the gentleman's district. I was approaching the principal town, when I heard the sound of a fife and drum emerging from a yellow-pine woods near the town, where they were making tar and turpentine. I saw before me the waving plume and marching, with quick step, of a regiment of men, the stars and stripes borne aloft, with the motto ' North Carolina now and forever,' in large letters. I rode directly up to the principal hotel, kept by a landlord that evidently lived well, and knew how to entertain his guests if he was pleased with their standing. The moment I was seated on the porch he addressed me. ' Ilave you heard the news ?' ' What news ?' ' Why the British have burned the Capitol and our army is moving forward as you see to meet the enemy.' 'When did you get the news?' 'We got it last night abut seven o'clock. That you may understand how this happened-just before the last war we held a great public meeting to give information to the people. It was found that there was but one man in the county that could read. Ile was elected county reader. We had no newspaper. We then voted to take the National Intelligen- cer, and that every Saturday afternoon the paper should be publicly read, beginning at the first page and reading it regularly through, advertisements and all; since then our reader has kept constantly at it every Saturday afternoon. Last night he read the burning of the Capitol by the British. We at once flew to arms. The old Revolution- ary spirit is completely aroused.' Dinner was announced and I took my seat at the head of the table, when out sprang my landlord and in a moment announced that the President of the United States was approaching in a coach and four with out-riders, and sure enough up drove the coach with four splendid grays, and out-riders in full livery. The distinguished personage stepped from the coach, and was bowed into the parlor by my landlord, hat in hand. Curiosity led me to place one ear to the opening. The landlord bowing to the floor- ' The President of the United States, I presume.' ' Not exactly.' ' The Secretary of State ?' 'Not exactly.' 'The Secretary of War ?' ' Not exactly.' 'The Secretary of the Navy ?' 'Not exactly.' ' The Governor of North Carolina ?' 'Not exactly.' 'Joseph Gales, the editor of the National Intelligencer ?' 'Not exactly.' Then raising his voice and stamping his foot angrily on the floor, 'Who in the thunder are you?' ' I am a merchant tailor from Wash- ington City, and have come here to collect some bills.' 'You
107
CORWIN AND JENNIFER.
can pass on, I have no room for you.'" The Judge closed amid thun- ders of applause, his triumph was complete. Mr. Carson laughed heartily, and the matter ended in the best of personal feelings.
CORWIN AND JENNIFER.
THE above reminiscence induces me here, lest I forget it, to sketeh a somewhat similar contest between Daniel Jennifer, of the eastern shore of Maryland, and Thomas Corwin of Ohio, in after years, in which the Marylander met an opponent of different metal and came off second best. It was at a social party. All was fun and hilarity. Mr. Jennifer was a man of decided talents ; was many years a repre- sentative in Congress from his district, and was ultimately sent abroad by the Government as a first-class minister plenipotentiary. IIe was full of wit and sarcasm and used them without mercy when an oppor- tunity offered. That evening he was unusually severe. At length he singled out Mr. Corwin and the State of Ohio for his remarks, con- trasting Maryland and its intelligence, with Ohio and her ignorance, not forgetting the fine oysters of the Eastern Shore and the " canvas backs" of the Chesapeake. When the opportunity offered, Gov. Cor- win remarked that he had no speech to make but he would relate a circumstance that occurred some years ago in the District Court of the United States of Ohio, at Columbus. A Revolutionary soldier made application to the court for pension papers, and introduced an old man as his witness to prove the services. The witness testified that the services were performed, that he served in the same company in the same regiment in the Maryland line. The proof seemed com- plete. The judge was satisfied. The certificate was about to be ordered, when the judge asked the witness how old he was. "I am just thirty-five years old." " What do you say?" "I am just thirty-five years old." "And you swear that you served in the Maryland line in the Revolutionary War?" " I do." " Marshall, take the witness into custody ; District Attorney, prefer a bill of indictment against the witness for perjury in open court." "Stop, Judge, don't be too fast, let me explain." " There can be no explanation, take him to jail." " But, Judge, just hold a moment, I can explain to your satisfaction if you will let me." "What have you to say ?" " I was born and lived on the eastern shore of Maryland until I was forty years of age; I lived so poor, and it was so hard to get along there, that I never count them forty years at all. I came to the State of . Ohio thirty-five years ago ; I have lived so well, and it has been so easy to make a living since, that I am willing to account for the
108
EARLY INDIANA TRIALS.
1
thirty-five years that I have lived in Ohio. Is not this explanation satisfactory, Judge ?" "Perfectly. The prisoner is discharged." All eyes were upon Mr. Jeunifer, who looked as if he was satisfied too, with the reply of the Governor.
FIRST SPEECH IN CONGRESS.
FOR many years one of the most important subjects for Indiana had been the construction of the Cumberland road, starting at Cumberland in Maryland, and running west through Wheeling, Columbus, Indian- apolis and Springfield, Illinois, to St. Louis, its terminus. Congress dealt out appropriations with a sparing hand annually, so as barely to keep the work alive, but not sufficient to prosecute it vigorously. The main business of the Indiana delegation was to secure the annual appropriation. Governor Jennings being the oldest member from the State, was looked to by Col. Blake and myself to lead in support of the Bill, and in reply to the opposition. The bill apportioning $100, 000 to the work, had been introduced and referred to the committee of the whole. The House went into committee, the bill was called up, Philip P. Barbour, of Virginia, one of the strongest men in the House, rose and went into a long constitutional argument to prove that the general government had no power to make appropriations to construct the work. "I am in favor of a strict construction of the Constitution ; I contend that Congress can do no act not expressly authorized by the letter of the Constitution." His speech was able, and we greatly feared its effect upon our favorite measure. My colleagues were not disposed to speak ; I had not spoken, I felt much reluctance to speaking, but duty seemed to require it. I got the floor for next day. The com- mittee arose, and the House adjourned. I was in for my first speech in Congress. I passed a sleepless night. I concluded to back out. By daylight I was up walking the pavement before my boarding-house, when the newsboy handed me the National Intelligencer, wet from the press. I opened the paper, glanced over the congressional pro- ceedings, looked under the editorial head, when oh ! horror of horrors ! there it was, "The Hon. Oliver H. Smith will address the committee to-day, in reply to the Hon. Philip P. Barbour, on constitutional powers." Here I was; there was no backing out without disgrace. I could cat no breakfast. The hour arrived. The House was crowded. Mr. Barbour was seated before me. My friends were around me to give me courage. I grew more bold as I advanced, and never to this day did I feel when I closed a two hours' speech, that I had done myself more justice. The bill was passed by a large majority.
109
THE REV. GEORGE G. COOKMAN.
[SATURDAY MORNING, AUGUST 22, 1857. THE REV. GEORGE G. COOKMAN.
IT was Sabbath morning. The last of the city church-bells was ring- ing as I left my boarding-house on Capitol Hill, at Washington city, for Wesley Chapel. It was quarterly meeting. The preacher had elosed his sermon, when there arose at the desk, a slender, spare man, about five fect eight, dark complexion, black hair falling carelessly over his high forehead, lean bony face, wide mouth, round-breasted black coat, with velvet falling collar, black vest and pantaloons. Addres- sing the congregation he said,-" We desire to take up a small collec- tion for the relief of destitute, worn-out Methodist preachers and their families. We appeal to-day to the hearts of the congregation," and took his seat. A large collection followed. I whispered to Patrick G. Good, of Ohio, who sat by me, " Who is that ?" " Don't you know him ? It is George G. Cookman." The next Sabbath I was at the chapel again. Mr. Cookman preached. I returned satisfied that he was no ordinary man. The election for Chaplain of the Senate came on a few days after, and without the knowledge of Mr. Cookman, I privately suggested his name to the Senators around me .. The most of them had heard him preach. He was elected Chaplain by a decided vote over the Rev. Henry Slicer, against whom there was not the least objection ; but we wanted to bring Mr. Cookman more prominently before the public. The next Sabbath he preached his first sermen in the hall of the House, to a very large congregation, from the text " The sword of the Lord and of Gideon." He made a profound impression on his hearers that day, which seemed to increase with every succeed- ing sermon.
It is not my purpose to sketch the many sermons of Mr. Cookman during the time he was chaplain of the Senate, the most of which I heard. He was a clear, distinct, and powerful preacher. The remark- able clearness of his mental vision enabled him to sec and descrihe whatever he touched so as almost to make Paul, Silas, Peter, Mark, and John stand before you as he named them. His tone of voice, as he warmed with his subject, and the tear stealing down his cheek, were irresistible. As a pulpit orator, take him all in all, he had few equals, and no superiors, that I ever heard. There was no place for a choir where Cookman sang. His voice was melody itself. I heard him in the Senate Chamber on the funeral occasion of Senator Betts, of Connecticut. The Chamber was crowded. The President, Depart- ments, foreign Ministers, Senators and Representatives were there. I' distinctly recollect one of his figures of speech. "As the human
110
EARLY INDIANA TRIALS.
family come upon the great stage of life, they find at every fork of the road the finger-board distinetly pointing to the grave-to the grave! There is no other road to travel from infaney to old age and death but the road that leads to the grave." There was not a dry eye in the Chamber when he elosed his sermon of one hour, and sang alone the first verse of the hymn-
And must this body die ?- This mortal frame decay ? And must these active limbs of mine Lie mouldering in the clay ?
God my Redeemer, lives, And often from the skies Looks down and watches all my dust, -- Till he shall bid it rise.
Arrayed in glorious grace, Shall these vile bodies shine; And every shape, and every face, Look heavenly and divine.
These lively hopes we owe To Jesus' dying love; We would adore his grace below, And sing his power above.
Dear Lord! accept the praise Of these our humble songs ; Till tunes of nobler sound we raise, With our immortal tongues.
The session of Congress was about to close upon the administration of Mr. Van Buren. The inauguration af Gen. Harrison was soon to take place. Mr. Cookman had all his arrangements made to visit England on the steamer President. The first dispatch from the new administration was to be confided to his charge. The next Sabbath he was to take leave of the Members of Congress in his farewell sermon. The day eame. An hour before the usual time the crowd was seen filling the pavements of the Avenue, and pressing up the hill to Repre- sentative Hall, which was soon filled to overflowing, and hundreds unable to get seats went away disappointed. I obtained a seat early in front of the clerk's desk. John Quincy Adams sat in the Speaker's chair, facing Mr. Cookman. The whole space on the rostrum and steps was filled with Senators and Representatives. The moment had come. Mr. Cookman, evidently mueh affected, kneeled in a thrilling prayer, and rose with his eyes blinded with tears. His voice faltered with suppressed emotions, as he gave out the hymn-
When marshalled on the nightly plain, The glittering host bestud the sky; One star alone, of all the train, Can fix the sinner's wandering eye.
111
THE REV. GEORGE G. COOKMAN.
Hark ! hark !- to God the ehorus breaks, From every host, from every gem ; But one alone the Savior speaks,- It is the Star of Bethlehem.
Onee on the raging seas I rode, The storm was loud, the night was dark,-
The ocean yawned-and rudely blowed The wind that tossed my foundering bark.
Deep horror then my vitals froze, Death-struek, I ceased the tide to stem ;-
When suddenly a star arose,- It was the star of Bethlehem,
It was my guide, my light, my all; It bade my dark foreboding's eease; And through the storm, and danger's thrall, It led me to the port of peace.
Now safely moored-my perils o'er, I'll sing, first in night's diadem, For ever and for evermore, The Star-the Star of Bethlehem !
The hymn was sung by Mr. Cookman alone. I ean yet in imagi- nation hear his voice, as it filled the large hall, and the last sounds, with their echoes, died away in the dome.
" And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away ; and there was no place for them.
" And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God, and the books were opened : and another book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works."
Mr. Cookman was more affected when he gave us the text, than 1 had ever seen him before. He several times passed his handkerchief over his eyes before he began. The first sentences are fresh in my recollection. "When Massillon, one of the greatest divines that France ever knew. was called to preach the funeral sermon of the departed Monarch in the Cathedral at Paris, before the reigning King, the royal family, the chambers, and the grandees of Franee, he took with him to the sacred desk a little goklen urn, containing a lock of hair of the late King. The immense congregation was seated, and the silence of death reigned. Massillon arose, holding the little urn in his fingers, his hand resting upon the sacred cushion. All eyes were intently fixed upon him. Moments, minutes passed; Massillon stood motionless, pale as a statue ; the feeling became intense ; many believed he was struck dumb before the august assembly; many sighed and
112
EARLY INDIANA TRIALS.
groaned aloud ; many eyes were suffused with tears, when the hand of Massillon was seen slowly raising the little golden urn, his eyes fixed upon the King, as the hand was returned to the sacred cushion the loud and solemn voice of Massillon was heard in every part of the Cathedral, ' God alone is great!' So I say to yon, to-day, my beloved hearers, there is no human greatness, 'God alone is great.'" The subject was the Day of Judgment. I had heard it preached before many times, but never as I heard it then. The immense congregation was held almost breathless with the most beautiful, sublime and power- ful sermon I ever heard. He spoke of the final separation in the great day of judgment, and faneied the angel of the Lord locking the door that opened to the bottomless pit, stepping npon the ramparts, letting fall the key into the abyss below, and dropping the last tear over fallen and condemned man. IIe closed, " I go to the land of my birth, to press onee more to my heart my aged mother and drop a tear on the grave of my sainted father. Farewell, farewell." And he sank overpowered to his seat, while the whole congregation responded with sympathizing tears.
General Harrison had been inaugurated. The dispatches for the British Government were signed by Mr. Webster and delivered to Mr. Cookman. He took leave of his friends at Washington, and left for New York. As we parted his last words were, " May heaven bless you, Mr. Smith : if ever I return you shall see me in the West." .
A few days afterward there was seen passing Governor's Island the splendid new steamer " President," on her outward trip to Liverpool, with Mr. Cookman, Tyrone Powers, and a long list of other distin- guished passengers on board. The flying steamer had left the light- house far behind and moved gallantly on toward the open Atlantic, with prospects of as speedy and safe a voyage as any vessel that ever crossed the Ocean. Night was coming on. The clouds in the heav- ens portended a storm. The winds blew and howled a dreadful hurri- cane. The ill-fated vessel was seen late in the evening, struggling with fate-now lying in the trough of the sea, now on the top of the mountain wave, now upon her side, and again plunging, as it were, into the abyss below.
" The storm was loud, the night was dark, The Ocean yawned, and rudely blowed The wind that tossed my foundering bark."
Morning came. The sun rose on an open sea .- The "President," with all on board, had gone down, and was never heard of more .- Thus perished, ere he had reached the meridian of life, one of the eminent divines of our country.
113
CITIZENS' MEETING AT MASONIC HALL.
[WEDNESDAY MORNING, AUGUST 26, 1857. CITIZENS' MEETING AT MASONIC HALL.
ON Monday evening Masonic Hall was filled with our enterprising prominent citizens to hear the address of the Hon. O. HI. Smith, of which publie notice had been given. James Blake, Esq., was called to the chair. Mr. Smith being loudly called for, came forward and took the stand. He said that he had been very unwell through the day, and under other circumstances would not attempt to speak ; but his friends had come out to hear him, and he could not think of dis- appointing them. Mr. S. addressed the large audience near two hours. At first his voice was weak, but rose with the subject, as he progressed, until he filled the large hall distinctly. We do not propose to do more than give to our readers, very briefly, the ideas embodied in the speech, as we took no notes at the time.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.