The glory of our youth as portrayed in the events and movements that have chiefly distinguished the marvelous advance of the American nation from colony to world power ... with entertaining and reliable character-sketches of the men and women whom the nation has delighted to honor ...

Front matter

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Preface

the last decade than the Isthmian Canal. Making this the subject of one of our longer ehaxsters, the progress of the Canal scheme is detailed from the days when Philip II. of Spain, after prolonged investigation by his naval officers and engineers, abandoned the project because it was evidently an impious act for man to attempt to join oceans which God had put asunder, down to the latest visit of President Taft to Panama. And lastly, not to cite other illustrations from the scores that are noted in our Table of Contents, it will be within thfe memory of most of our readers how the religious world was shocked when it was proposed to revise the grand old Bible, which had been considered perfect in every respect, and of too sacred a character to be touched by the irreverent hands of so-called textual critics and advanced Biblical scholars. A vast majority of Bible readers sympathized with the sentiment of the curate quoted by Bishop Wordsworth, " that if the authorized version was good enough for St. Paul it was good enough for him." Selecting the Revision of the Bible as the subject for our chapter illustrating popular thought and interest about 1880, it is shown in a lucid and, it is believed, very entertaining and instructive manner how our prized King James Version has been evolved from a long succession of antecedent versions; and it is also made manifest that nothing of its essential truth has been disturbed or destroyed in the revision.

These topics are named merely to illustrate as clearly as we may the idea that has been worked out in the preparation of this book. With loving interest and thoughtful study the author has surveyed the period of the nation's history which in his thought constituted its " C41orious Youth," and has chosen such subjects for detailed treatment as seem to express most fully the mental and physical activities of the jjeople for nearly each year of the period covered; and which, he believes, in their totality furnish a more illuminating and vastly more fascinating survey of the young nation's progress toward maturity than can be secured by any other method of treatment. His purpose has been not merely to instruct, but to interest and entertain the reader ; " by judicious selection, rejection, and arrangement," as Macaulay has said, " to give to truth those attractions which have been usurped by fiction."

Most frankly and happily it is admitted that the aim has been to present the various subjects treated in a populwr manner. But with the most determined insistence it is maintained that such a treatment need not, and has not been allowed to, in any degree involve a loss of dignity in the style of writing, nor of a keen sense of the difference between what appeals to a vicious and uneducated public sentiment and that which ministers to the highest ideals, loftiest aspirations, and purest life of an intelligent and right-minded people. The author has had in mind the hundreds of thousands of average homes throughout this great land ; and unless he has lamentably failed in his labors the work will be fomid intellectually and morally enlightening and helpful, and, best of all, stimulating in an unusual degree of a desire to know more of the history and true greatness of this, our home-land.

Nor has the .pen alone been brought into use to secure these ends. The senses are also appealed to and interested by reproductions of some of the best work of artist, engraver, and photographer. It will at once be recognized, however, that the aim has not been merely to attract the eye. Every picture is designed to truhj illustrate the text, not merely to adorn the page. For this reason a great number of old and rare prints have been reproduced that the reader may more readily appreciate the actual conditions that existed in any community at the period described. This has involved the insertion in these pages of more than three hundred portraits of distinguished actors in the thrilling movements of the Nation's youth, scenes of notable events, and illustrations of customs, dress, modes

PREFACE.

of travel, marvels of industrial and scientific development, etc.

Because apparently isolated events or movements have been described, however, one should not imagine that such subjects have been selected at random nor in any hap-hazard way. There is a unity of purpose and a general thread of continuity underlying the whole work; and the author feels great assurance that the unity of History has been quite as well conserved as in any of the more pretentious histories. But a great gain is made in the opportunity for interesting and attractive statement. Each chapter being complete in itself and devoted entirely to the delineation of a single subject, the volume may be taken up at any time and opened by chance at any place, and one find an entertaining story or narrative, replete with informing and suggestive material ; all of which is made more truly attractive by anecdotes of the actors in the events described and others, by accounts of individual experiences, and by a most generous supply of portraits and pictures which eilectually illustrate and illuminate the narrative.

In Colonial Days.

Marvelous Achievements of Nineteenth Century.^ — Far Surpass Those of All Previous Centuries. — Washington Could Travel No Faster, Nor Despatch Messages More Quickly, Than CiEsar or Hammurabi. — Views of John Fiske. — " The Past Contains Within Itself All the Germs of the Future." — Mr. J. N. Larned's P>evie\v of Historical Development. — The United States in 1800.^ — New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Compared. — Washington in 1800. — Commercial and Social Life of Charleston. — Passion for Sport, Including the Rough-and- Tumble Fight. — Beginning of Cotton Culture and the Invention of the Cotton Gin. — Migration to the Ohio Valley. — Local State Jealousies. — Contest Over Adoption of the Constitution. — Payment of Taxes an "Amiable Eccentricity." — Not a Dollar in the National Treasury. — Craze for Cheap Money and Depreciation of Currency. — Samuel Adams Pays .$2,000 for Hat and Suit of Clothes. — Injury to Cause of Popular Government Worked by Popular Discord.— Opinions of Fisher Ames, Hamilton, and Others. — " Your People, Sir. Your People is a Great Beast." — The Post Office Department. — First Mail Despatched on American Continent. — Methods of Travel, Inns, Etc. — The Early Stage Coaches and Famous Concord Stages. — Advent of Steam Railroad. — Home Life in the Colonies. — The Dining-room and the Kitchen. — The Light of Our Fathers. — The Clergv and Churches. — Intemperance the National Curse. — Moral Status of the People. — Intellectual and Literary Conditions and Publications. — ^No Scientific Attainments. — Opinions of " Tom " Moore, Noah Webster, and Others. — Contrast Between the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries... SI

II

Birth of the New Eepublic. — 1776. Declaration of American Indejjendence and National Sovereignty-, July Fourth, 1776. — TIr- Gauntlet of Defiance thrown at the Feet of the British Empire by Her Yoiuigest Colonies. — Vast Disparity, in Power and Resources, between the Contestants. — The whole World Looks on Astonished. — Seven Years' Bloody and Desolating War. — The American Cause Triumphant. — Grandest Modern Event. — America Resists Unjust Taxation. — Haughty Obstinacy of King George. — Burning Eloquence of Patrick Henry.- — His Summons, " We Must Fight." — Washington Endorses this Sentiment. — Determination of the People. — War Preferred to Submission. — Momentous Action by Congress. — Separation from England Decreed. — Effect of the Act in America. — Its Reception in England. — Excitement of the King and Court. — Lord Chatham, America's Advocate. — His Passionate Change of Views. — Scorching Speech against the Colonies. — He is Struck Dead while Speaking. — Magnanimity of Burke and Fox. — Recognition from France Secured. — Her Timely Aid in the Struggle. — Victories over the British Armies. — England Gives Up the Contest. — World-wide Welcome to the New Nation 65

III

First Americ.\n Nav.\l Victory. — 1779. John Paul .Tones, Commanding the Bon Homme Richard, Fights and Captures King George's Powerful Ship-of-war, the Serapis. in British Waters. — Crowds of Spectators Line the English Coast. — The Most Sanguinary Battle Ever Fought between Single Ships. — Jones is Hailed as '" The Washington of the Seas." — World-wide Interest of this Combat. — Commodore Jones's Early Career. — Offers his Services to Congress. — Appointed a Naval Lieutenant. — Joins the Continental Fleet. — The First to Hoist its Ensign. — Style and ilotto of the Flag. — Sails from France on a Cruise. — Terror Created by His ^Movements. — Characteristic Anecdotes. — Two British Frigates in Sight. — Jones Ready for Bloody Work. — The Ships Muzzle to Muzzle. — Superiority of the Serapis. — A Most Deadly Contest. — Both Vessels on Fire. — .Jones Attacked by Another Foe. — One of His Vessels Treacherous. — Remarkable Scenes. — Britain's Flag Struck to America. — An Act without Precedent. — Sinking of the Victorious Vessel 72

IV. The Wonderful Dark Day. — 1780

The Northern States wrapt in a Dense Black Atmosphere for Fifteen Hours. — The Day of Judgment Supposed to have Come. — Cessation of Labor. — Religious Devotions Resorted to. — The Herds Retire to their Stalls, the Fowls to their Roosts, and the Birds Sing Their Evening Songs at Noonday. — Science at Loss to Account for the Mysterious Phenomenon. — One of Nature's Marvels. — Redness of the Sun and Moon. — Approach of a Thick Vapor. — Loud Peals of Thunder. — Sudden and Strange Darkness. — Alarm of the Inhabitants. — End of the World Looked For. — Dismay of the Brute Creation. — An Intensely Deep Gloom. — Difficulty in Attending to Business.- — Lights Burning in the Houses. — Vast Extent of the Occurrence. — Condition of the Barometer. — Change in the Color of Objects. — Quick Motion of the Clouds. — Birds Suffocate and Die. — The Sun's Di.sc Seen in Some Places. — Oily Deposit on the Waters. — Impenetrable Darkness at Night. — Incidents and Anecdotes. — Ignorant TOiims and Conjectures. — An Unsolved Mystery 79

V. Washington's Farewell to the Army. — 1783

Affecting Interviews and Parting Words between the Great Chieftain and His Comrades-in- Arms. — Solemn Farewell Audience with Congress. — In Its Presence He Voluntarily Divests Himself of His Supreme Authority, Returns His Victorious Sword, and Becomes a Private Citizen. — History of the Election of a Military Leader. — America's Destiny in His Hands. — Appointment of George Washington. — The Army at Cambridge, Mass. — He Immediately Takes Command. — Is Enthusiastically Greeted. — Leads Its Fortunes Seven Years. — Record of His Generalship.— Ends tlie War in Triumpli. — Scheme to Make Him King.— Indignantly Rebukes the Proposal.— Last Review of His Troops.— His Strong Attachment for Them. — Intention to Leave Public Life. — Congress Informed of this Fact. — Embarkation from New York. — Homage Paid Him Everywhere. — Arrival at Annapolis. — Proceeds to the Halls of Congress. — Impressive Ceremonial There. — Rare Event in Human History 88

VI

Appointment of the First Minister Plenipotentiary from the New Republic to

THE English Court. — 1785.

John Adams, America's Sturdiest Patriot, and the Foremost Enemy of British Tyranny, Fills this High Office. — Interview between Him and King George, His Late Sovereign. — Their Addresses, Temper, Personal Bearing, and Humorous Conversation. — ^The Two Men Rightly Matched against Each Other. — Old Animosities Unhealed. — ilutual Charges of False Dealing. — Settlement Demanded by the United States. — What Adams's Mission Involved. — Dismemberment of the British Realm. — Loss of the Fairest Possession. — Bitter Pill for the King. — His Obstinacy Forced to Yield. — Humiliation of the Proud Monarch. — All Europe Watches the Event. — Mr. Adams Presented at Court. — ^Patriot and King Face to Face.— Official Address by the Minister. — Reply of King George. — His Visible Agitation. — Adams's Presence of Mind. — Pays His Homage to the Queen. — Her Majesty's Response. — Civilities by the Royal Family. — Results of this Embassy. — Pitiable Position of George the Third.— Fatal Error of Great Britain 95

VII

First Organized Rebellion in the United States. — 1786. Daniel Shays, at the Head of an Armed and Desperate Force, Boldly Defies the State and Federal Laws in Massachusetts. — " Taxation and Tyranny " the Alleged Grievances. — Alarming Disaffection throughout all New England. — Bad Leaders and Furious Mobs. — Rout of the Insurgents, by General Lincoln, in the Dead of Winter. — Patriotic Old Massachusetts in a Ferment. — Causes of Public Discontent. — Total Exhaustion of Credit. — Prostration of Trade. —Ruinous Debts, Heavy Taxation. — Weakness of the Government. — An Excited Populace. — Turbulence and Lawlessness. — All Authority Spurned. — A Bloody Conflict Invited. — Courts of Justice Broken Up. — Indignation of Washington. — Heroism on the Bench. — The National Forces Augmented. — Fears of a General Civil War. — Unscrupulousness of Shays. — Intention to Seize the Capitol. — Governor Bbwdoin's Defenses. — General Lincoln in Command. — Active Movement of His Troops. — A Terrible Snow Storm. — Hardships of Shays's Army. — Federal Bayonets Triumphant 101

vni.

Formation and Adoption of the Federal Constitution. — 1787. The United States no Longer a People without a Government. — Establishment of the Republic on a Permanent Foundation of Unity, Organic Law, and National Polity. — Dignity, Learning, and Eloquence of the Delegates. — Sublime Scene on Signing the Instrument. — Extraordinary Character of the Whole Transaction. — State of Things After the War. — Financial Embarrassment. — Despondency of the People. — Grave Crisis in Public Affairs. — A Grand Movement Initiated. — Plan of Government to be Framed. — All the States in Convention. — Washington Chosen to Preside. — Statesmen and Sages in Council. — The Old Compact Abrogated. — New Basis of Union Proposed. — Various Schemes Discussed. — .Jealousy of the Smaller States. — Angry Debates, Sectional Threats. — Bad Prospects of the Convention. — Its Dissolution Imminent. — Franklin's Impressive Appeal. — Compromise and Conciliation. — Final System Agreed Upon. — Patriotism Rules all Hearts. — Ratification by the Stat/cs. — National Joy at the Decision lOS

IX

First Election and Inauguration of a President of the United States. — 1789. Washington, " First in War, First in Peace, and First in the Hearts of His Countrymen," tlie Nation's Spontaneous, Unanimous Choice. — His Triumphal Progress from Home, and Solenin Imluction into Office. — .Jubilee tlirougliout the Republic, over the August Event. — Auspicious Commencement of the National Executive Government. — Requirements of the Constitution. — A President to be Chosen. — Four Years tlie Term of Service. — All Eyes Fi.\ed Upon Washington. — His Reluctance to Accept. — Reasons Given for this Course. — Urgent Appeals to Him. — The Result of the Election. — One Voice and One Mind. — He Bows to the People's Will. — Joy Produced by His Decision. — Departs at Once from Mount Vernon. — Farewell Visits to His Mother. — Inauguration Appointed for March Fourth. — Postponement to A])ril Thirtieth. — Order of Ceremonies. — Xew Spectacle in the Western World. — Distinguished Celebrities Present. — Washington's Elegant Appearance. — Dignity when Taking the Oath. — Reverentially Kisses the Bible. — Curious Customs Initiated.. 11.5

X. Whitney's Extraohuixary Cotton Gin Invention. — 1793

Amazing Impetus Given to tlie Culture, Uses, and Consumption of Cotton. — Revolution in the Industrial Prospects and Political Power of the South. — How Cotton Became " King." — Its Relation to the Great Themes and Events in American History. — Ingratitude to Whitney. — His Brilliant Change of Fortune in Anotlier Spliere. — Whitney's Obscure Circumstances. — His Early Mechanical Genius. — Determined to Get an Education. — Goes to the South as a Teacher. — Change of Pursuits. — Befriended by General Greene's Widow. — Amateur Inventive Efforts. — Low State of Southern Industry. — Objection to Cotton-Raising.- — Mrs. Greene's Apt Suggestion. — Whitney's Characteristic Resolve. — Secret and Persevering Toil. — Exciting Rumors as to His Purpose. — Gi-eat Expectations Entertained. — Triumphant Success. — Entliusiasm of the Cotton-Growers. — His Machine Stolen from Him. — Infringements upon His Patent. — Law-Suits, but no Redress for Him. — His Patlietic Letter to Fulton. — • He Invents a Valuable Firearm. — Soutliern Strides in Wealth 122

XL

FouNuiNi; ANU Est.^blishment of the National Capital. — 1799. Bitter Sectional Contest in Deciiling the Location. — First " Compromise " in Congress between the Xorth and the South. — Final Removal of the Government and its Archives to Washington. — Official Observance of the Event. — Magnificent Site and Plan of the City. — Splendor of its Public Buildings. — Congress First Sits in Philadelphia. — Need of a Permanent Capital. — National Dignity Involved. — Violent Agitation of the Subject. — Philadelphia and New York Proposed. — They are Objected to by the South. — Northern Disunion Threats. — Schemes of Conciliation. — How the Question was Settled. — Sweetening Two Bitter Pills. — .Jefferson's Graphic Account. — General Washington's Preference. — His Site on the Potomac Adopted. — Some Ratlier Personal Anecdotes. — Work of Laying Out the City. — Its Original Aspect and Condition. — Early Trials of the President's Wife.- — Construction of the Capitol. — Its Corner-stone Laid by Washington. — Congress in its New Halls. — -Growth of the Metropolis. — The New Corner-Stone of 1851 129

XII

Death of George Wa.shington. — 1799. His Sudden and Brief Illness, Last Hours, and Dying Words. — Fortitude and Serenity through all His Sufferings. — He Calmly .Announces His Approaching Dissolution Without a Murmur. — The Whole World Does Honor, by Eulogy and Lamentations, to His Exalted Worth and Immortal Fame. — He Anticipated an Early Death. — His Invariably Good Health. — Exposure in a Snow-Storm. — Takes a Fatal Cold. — Last Letter Written by His Hand. — Reads the Papers in the Evening. — Characteristic Reply to His Wife. — ^Passes a Restless Night. — Alarming Condition the Next Day. — Medical Treatment of no Avail. — Calls for His Two Wills, Burns One. — Affecting Scene at His Bedside. — ^Last Words, " 'Tis Well!"^ Only One Day's Sickness. — Acute Laryngitis His Disease. — Burial in the Old Family Vault. — Tidings of His Death. — Tributes from Peoples and Kings. — A Man Without a Parallel. — Last Page in His .Tournal. — Re-entombment in 1837. — Appearance of His Remains. . . . 136 xni.

Fatal Duel Between Mr. Burr and General Alexander Hamilton. — 1804.

Fall of Hamilton at First Fire." — His Death in Thirty Hours. — Profound Sensation and Solemn Obsequies in all Parts of the Land. — Mourned as One of the Founders of the Republic. — Indictment of the Assassin for the Crime of Murder. — Hamilton's Brilliant Public Life. — Washington's Riglit-liand SLin. — Champion of the Federalists. — Burr's Career in the Revolution. — His Notorious Debauchery. — Finally Dismissed by Washington. — Becomes Vice- President in 1800. — Deadly Personal Hatreds. — Criticisms on Burr by His Opponents. — Challenge Sent to Hamilton. — Pacific Explanations Spurned. — Forced to ileet Burr. — Makes His Will in Anticipation. — Sings at a Banquet the Day Before. — Arrival of the Fatal Hour. — Hamilton's Mortal Wound. — What He Said of the Event. — Conversation before Dying. — Partakes of the Communion. — His Testimony against Dueling. — Heartless Conduct of Burr. — A Fugitive and an Outlaw 141

XIV

Fulton's Triumphant Application of Steam to Navigation. — 1807. First Steam-boat Voyage on American Waters under His Direction. — Astonishment Produced by the Exhibition. — Great Era in National Development. — The World at Large Indebted to American Ingenuity and Enterprise for this Mighty Revolutionary Agent in Human Progress and Power. — The Wliole Scale of Civilization Enlarged. — Fulton's Early Mechanisms. — His Inventive Projects Abroad. — Steam Propulsion tlie End Sought. — Various Experiments and Trials. — Livingston's Valued Co-operation. — Studying the Principle Involved. — Its Discovery at Last. — Legislative Encouragement Asked. — Public Ridicule of the Scheme. — Construction of a Steam-boat. — The " Queer-Looking Craft." — Incidents at the Launch. — Undaunted Confidence of Fulton. — Sailing of the " New-Fangled Craft." — Demonstrations Along the Route. — Complete Success of the Trip. — First Passage Money. — That Bottle of Wine. — Opposition Lines, and Racing. — First Steam-boat at the West. — Amazing Subsequent Increase. — Fulton's Checkered Fortunes 151

XV

Capture of the British Fkig.'vte Guf.rrieri: by the United States Frigate Constitution. — 1812.

Captain Dacres's Insolent Challenge to the American Navy. — Captain Hull's Eager Acceptance. — His Unrivaled Tactics and Maneuvers. — A Short, Terrific, Decisive Contest. — Yankee Valor on the Ocean a Fixed Fact, Sternly Respected. — The Constitution Becomes the Favorite Ship of the Nation and is Popularly Called " Old Ironsides." — Cruise of the Constitution. — Hull, the "Sea King." in Command. — A Sail! The Enemy's Squadron! — Chased Three Days by Them. — Rowing and Warping in a Calm. — Most Wonderful Escape on Record. — Another Frigate in Sight, the Guerriere. — Her Signals of Defiance. — Yankee Eagerness for Action. — The Two Frigates Afoul. — Yard- Arm to Yard-Arm Encounter. — Fire of the Constitution Reserved. — Final and Deadly Broadsides. — Fearless Conduct of Her Crew. — British Colors Hauled Down. — Sinking of the Shattered Wreck. — Armament and Power of the Ships. — An Almost Equal Match. — Anecdotes of the Two Commanders. — Honors to the Brave Victors. — Future Annals of the Constitution. — Her Varied and Noble Career. . . 157

XVI

General J.\ckson's Terrible Kout .\nd Slaughter of the British Army, at New

His Consummate Generalship in the Order and Conduct of this Campaign. — The War with England Terminated by a Sudden and Splendid Victory to the American Arms. — Jackson is Hailed as One of the Greatest of Modern Warriors, and as the Deliverer and Second Savior of His Country. — National Military Prestige Gained by this Decisive Battle. — British Invasion of Louisiana. — Preparations to Resist Them. — Jackson Hastens to New Orleans. — His Presence Inspires Confidence. — Martial L.aw Proclaimed. — Progress of the British Forces. — They Rendezvous at Ship Island. — Pirates and Indians for Allies. — Capture of the United

States Flotilla. — Arrival of Veterans from England. — Desperate Attempts at Storming. — Both Armies Face Each Other. — The Day of Action, January Eighth. — General PaUenham Leads the Charge. — His ilotto, " Booty and Beauty." — Fire and Death Open Upon Them. — Tliey Are ilowii Dawn Like Grass. — Pakenliam Falls at the Onset. — Panic and Precipitate Retreat. — America's Motto, " Victory or Death." — T!ie Result at Home and Abroad. — Startling and Impressive Effect 166

XVII

The Ever-Memor.\ble September Gale. — 1S15. Its Violence and Destructiveness ■without a Parallel Since the Settlement of the Country. — Terror Excited by its Sudden and Tumultuous Force. — LTnprecedented Phenomena of Tempest, Deluge, and Flood. — One Hour of Indescribable Havoc on the Land and Sea. — Premonitory Indications. — Heavy North-east Rains. — .Sudden and Violent Changes of Wind. — Its Rapidity and Force Indescribable. — Demolition of Hundreds of Buildings. — Orchards and Forests Instantly Uprooted. — Raging and Foaming of the Sea. — Its Spray Drives like a Snow-Storm over the Land. — Tremendous Rise in the Tides. — Irresistible Impetuosity of the Flood. — Several Feet of Water in the Streets. — Innumerable Fragments Fill the Air. — Flight for Safety to the Fields. — The whole Coast Swarms with Wrecks. — Perils, Escapes, Fatalities. — Peculiar Meteorological Facts. — Bright Skies in the Midst of the Tempest. — Suffocating Current of Hot Air. — Sea Fowls in the Depths of the Interior. — Effect upon Lands, Crops, and Wells. — All New England Desolated. — Comparison with Other Gales 173

XVIII

Visit of Lafayette to America, as the Guest of the Eepublic. — 1824. His Tour of Five Thousand Miles through the Twenty-four States. — A National Ovation on the Grandest Scale. — Cities, States, Legislatures and Governors. Vie in Their Demonstrations of Respect. — The Venerable Patriot Enters the Tomb and Stands beside the Remains of his Great Departed Friend, Washington. — Noble Qualities of the ilarquis. — A Favorite of Louis XVI. — Hears of tlie Battle of Bunker Hill. — Pleads the Cause of the Americans. — • Resolves to Join their Army. — Freely Consecrates his Vast Wealth. — Equips a Vessel and Embarks. — Introduced to General Washington. — Admiration of Him by the Chieftain. — One of Washington's Military Family. — A Major-General in His Nineteenth Year. — Heroic Fidelity During the War. — Subsequent Vicissitudes in France. — America's Heart-felt Sympathy. — He Leaves Havre for New York. — Enthusiasm Excited by his Presence. — Incidents, Interviews. Fetes. — Greetings with Old Comrades. — Memories, Joys, and Tears. — Departs in the United States Ship Brandywine.— His Death in 1834. — National Grief 181

XIX

Fiftieth A^■xlVERSARY and Celebration of the Independence of the Republic. — 1826.

Sudden and Simultaneous Death of Ex-Presidents .lohn Adams and Thomas .Jefferson, its Two Most Illustrious Founders. — Tlie Day of Resounding Joy and .Jubilee Clianged to One of Profound National Sorrow. — No Historical Parallel to Such a Remarkable Coincidence. — World-Renowned Career of these Statesmen. — Extraordinary Preparations for the Day. — Adams and Jefferson then Alive. — Sires and Patriarchs of the Nation. — Their Names Household Words. — Invited to Share in the Festivities. — Tliey Hail the Glorious Morn. — Great Rejoicings; Death's Summons. — Jefferson's Distinguishing Honor.- — Adams's Patriotic Luster. — Their Imperishable Deeds. — Calm Yet High Enthusiasm. — Hostile Leaders in After- Life. — Racy and Piquant Anecdote. — Crisis Point in Adams's J^ortunes. — His Last Toast for His Country, — " Indejiendence Forever." — Two Sages in Old Age. — Serenity, Wisdom, Dignity. — Former Friendship Revived. — Letters of Mutual Attachment. — European Admiration Excited. — Reverence to Their Colossal Fame 191

XX

The " Gre.\t Debate " Between Webster and Hayne, in Conoress. — 1830. Vital Constitutional Issues Discussed. — Unsurpassed Power and Splendor of Senatorial Eloquence. — Webster's Speech Acknowledged to be the Grandest Forensic Achievement in the

Whole Range of ]\Iodern Parliamentary Efforts. — Golden Age of American Oratory. — Unprecedented Interest and Excitement Produced in the Public Mind. — No American Debate Comparable with This. — Known as " The Battle of the Giants." — Inflamed Feeling at the South. — Hayne's Brilliant Championship. — His Speech Against the North. — Profound Impression Created. — Its Dash, Assurance, Severity. — Bitter and Sweeping Charges. — His Opponents Wonder-Struck. — Webster has the Floor to Reply. — An Ever-Memorable Day. — Intense Anxiety to Hear Him. — Magnificent Personal Appearance. — His Exordium; All Hearts Enchained. — Immense Intellectual Range. — Copious and Crushing Logic. — Accumulative Grandeur of Thought. — Thrilling Apostrophe to the Union. — The Serious, Comic, Pathetic, etc. — Hayne's Argument Demolished. — Reception Accorded the Speech. — Rival Orators ; Pleasant Courtesies 197

XXI

Struggle fob the Eight of Petition in Congress. — 1836. John Quincy Adams, the " Old Man Eloquent," Carries on a Contest of Eleven Days, Single- Handed, in its Defense in the House of Representatives. — Passage of the " Gag Rule." — Expulsion and Assassination Threatened. — His Unquailing Courage. — A Spectacle Unwitnesseil 'hefore in the Halls of Legislation. — Triumph of His Master Mind. — The Right of Petition a Constitutional One. — Indiscriminate and Unrestricted. — Anti-Slavery Petitions. Mr. Adams Their Champion. — An Unpopular Position. — He Defies Every Menace. — His Bold and Intrepid Conduct. — The North and South at Variance. — Monster Petitions Pour In. — A Memorial from Slaves. — Wild Tumult in the House. — Cries of " Expel the Old Scoundrel ! " — Proposal to Censure and Disgrace Him. — Mr. Adams Unmoved Amidst the Tempest. — Eloquence and Indomltaibleness. — A Petition to Dissolve the Union. — Increased Exasperation. — Violent and Denunciatory Debate. — Sublime Bearing of ilr. Adams. — Vindicated and Victorious at Last. — What He Lived to See. — Honor from His Opponents 200

xxn.

Breaking Out of the Temperance Eeformation. — 1840. Origin, Rapid Spread, Influence, and Wonderful History of the Movement. — Enthusiasm Attending the " Washington " Era. — Its Pioneers Rise from the Gutter to the Rostrum, and Sway Multitudes by Their Eloquence. — Father Mathew's Visit. — His 600,000 Converts. — Career of Hawkins, Mitchell, Gough, Dow, and Others. — First Temperance Society in the United States. — Singular Terms of Membership. — Social Customs in Former Times. — Unrestrained Use of Spirits. — Growing Desire for Reform. — Influential Men Enlisted. — Meetings, Societies, Agitation. — A Congressional Organization. — Origin of " Tee-Totalism." — Deacon Giles's Distillery. — " My Mother's Gold Ring." — Rise of " Wa.shingtonianism." — Six Reformed Drunkards. — Cold Water Armies, Processions, etc. — Music. Banners, and Badges. — The Country All Ablaze. — An "Apostle of Temperance." — Administering the Pledge. — Conflict Concerning Measures. — Anecdotes of Washington. — General Taylor's Whiskey Jug. — Farragut's Substitute for Grog 217

XXIII

Invention op that Wondrous Piece of Mechanism, the Sewing Machine. — 1846.

Romantic Genius and Perseverance Displayed in Its Production. — Toils of the Inventor in His Garret. — World-Wide Introduction of the Device. — Upwards of One Thousand Patents Taken Out in the United States. — The Industrial Interests of the Country Affected to the Amount of $.500,000,000 Annually. — The Humble Inventor Becomes a Millionaire. — ^The Main Principle Involved. — Comparison With Hand Sewing. — How it was Suggested. — Listening to Some Advantage. — History of Mr. Howe's Efforts. — Ingenuity, Struggles, Triumphs. — Value of a Friend in Need. — A Machine at Last. — Its Parts, Capabilities, etc. — Reception by the Public. — Doubt Succeeded by Admiration. — Great Popularity and Demand. — Wearisome Litigation With Rivals. — Interesting Question of Priority. — Decided in Howe's Favor. — He Rises to Affluence. — Improvements by Others. — Unique and Useful Devices. — Number of Machines Produced. — Time and Labor Saved. — Effect Upon Prices. — New Avenues of Labor Opened 226