CHAPTER CONTENTS PAGE . XIX. THE UNANIMOUS CHOICE FOR SPEAKER XX. A LAWYER OF THE OLD SCHOOL XXI. HIGH DEBATE IN THE MOUNTAINS XXIII. "THE GENTLEMAN FROM MISSISSIPPI" XXIV. AN OLD-TIME COUNTRY DOCTOR XXV. A QUESTION OF AVAILABILITY XXVI. A STATESMAN OF A PAST ERA. XLII. FIRST LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY IN AMERICA. XLIII. A New Day ADDED TO THE CALENDAR XLVI. A BAR MEETING STILL IN SESSION SOMETHING OF MEN I HAVE KNOWN I ON THE CIRCUIT DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY AFTER THE CIVIL WAR - SLAVERY THE APPLE OF DISCORD BEFORE THE WAR LINCOLN AS A COUNTRY LAWYER SOCIABILITY OF THE LAWYERS OF THE PERIOD THEIR EXCELLENCE AS ORATORS · HENRY CLAY AS A PARTY LEADER EULOGIUMS ON LAWYERS - LINCOLN'S ADMIRATION FOR GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT - THE WRITER'S ADDRESS ON THE LAW AND LAWYERS. T 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, |