Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 19.pdf/422

 THOMAS F. MARSHALL hearts of those who loved him. He told in simple language of the mother waiting eagerly to hear of his progress in the world — her ears strained to catch the first sound of the rumbling coach that would bring her tidings of her boy. "Then think," he said, "what a bitter balm to pour into a mother's soul. Then even the drunkard's heart can feel, that can feel nothing else, the pangs that nothing known on earth can equal." His love of his mother was one of the marked traits of his character. He always spoke of her in tones of the most reverent affection. During his one term in Congress he in curred the enmity of Clay by voting and speaking against many of the favorite measures of the Whig leader. Clay was his one stumbling-block in life, although Mar shall was the more eloquent and able of the two. Still, owing perhaps to his intemper ance, he chafed and became restless under the moral mastery and imperious bearing of the sage of 'Ashland, whose genius he nevertheless admired to an exalted degree. No greater compliments have ever been paid to Clay than some of those by Mar shall. There have been many stories told of his first meeting with Clay in the practice of his profession. According to Mr. Bowmar, an editor of a Versailles paper, and a friend of Marshall, it was in a will case of great im portance, with much evidence to sustain each side. Marshall's speech was a surprise to everyone. It was eloquent beyond all description. Clay himself was borne away by admiration, and with characteristic and winning grace complimented his new rival, saying, "The young man has taken my laurels from me." Clay's speech also was a great one, but not even the witchery of his majestic eloquence could overcome the impression made on the minds of the jury by Marshall's speech, and "the young man" was victorious. The above is probably the true version because Mr. Bowmar was in a position to

391

learn the facts from Marshall himself and from eyewitnesses. Another version, very amusing, indeed, but not very reliable, relates it as follows in language purporting to be the exact words of "Tom" Marshall, and which "impli cates" Robert J. Breckinridge who,' as is well known, was a law partner of Marshall in early life before becoming a minister. "Bob and I had been practicing for some time and had arrived at that degree of excel lence at which we stood at the head of the Kentucky Bar (at least in our own estima tion) with one exception. We had never conquered Henry Clay. Indeed, we had never met him, although we had long yearned for the opportunity to dispose of him also, and thus place ourselves indis putably at the head of the Kentucky Bar. So one day when we heard that Mr. Clay had been employed to represent the plain tiff in a certain important case, we at once rushed to the defendant and offered our services gratis. They were gladly accepted. When the case came up for trial we were ready to make the fight of our lives. The evidence having been heard, it was arranged that I, being the junior partner, should speak first, Bob was to follow, and Mr. Clay would reply to us both, he being the only counsel for plaintiff. I was in fine form that day, and addressed the jury in a speech which I considered very effective. I really felt sorry for Bob, for I didn't think that the poor fellow would be able to say any thing after the able and thorough manner in which I had presented our side of the case. But Bob surprised me. It was wonderful the way he availed himself of his limited opportunities. He transcended himself. Never had I heard such a torrent of sarcasm and argument. He left not a hair or ves tige of our opponents. He literally anni hilated them and sat down. Then the old lion rose and with one swoop of his paw he drove Bob to the pulpit and me to the bottle, and we have been there ever since." This story was probably concocted by