II. CHAPTER CONTENTS PAGE 1 12 XXI. AMONG THE ACTORS. XLV. XLVIII. IN THE HIGHLANDS . 355 368 371 SOMETHING OF MEN I HAVE KNOWN I ON THE CIRCUIT SLAV DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY AFTER THE CIVIL WAR - PERIOD THEIR EXCELLENCE AS ORATORS HENRY CLAY AS A PARTY LEADER EULOGIUMS ON LAWYERS LINCOLN'S ADMIRATION FOR GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT ADDRESS ON THE LAW AND LAWYERS. TH THE WRITER'S HE period extending from my first election to Congress in 1874, to my retirement from the Vice-Presidency in 1897, was one of marvellous development to the country. Large enterprises were undertaken, and the sure foundation was laid for much of existing business conditions. The South had recovered from the sad effects of the Civil War, and had in a measure regained its former position in the world of trade, as well as in that pertaining to the affairs of the Government. The population of the 'country had almost doubled; the ratio of representation in the Lower House of Congress largely augmented; the entire electoral vote increased from 369 to 444. Eight new States had been admitted to the Union, thus increasing the number of Senators from seventy-four to ninety. The years mentioned likewise witnessed the passing from the national stage, with few exceptions, of the men who had taken a conspicuous part in the great debates directly preceding and during the Civil War and the reconstruction period which immediately followed. By the arbitrament of war, |