While all the efforts of man, long-repeated, to change the baser metals
into gold have proved futile, it is no less certain that gold, in
revenge, has been successful in transmuting man. The power of its moral
alchemy is seen in individuals like Rufus Heath. Poor, he would have
remained a fawning toady, but wealth transformed him into a haughty,
arrogant aristocrat at heart. No Somerset or Rohan was ever more so.
Starting in life without other capital than a moderate education, tact,
and industry, his first aim was to acquire wealth. His tastes were
luxurious and refined, and to gratify them wealth was necessary. So to
succeed he was plastic and serviceable to his employers, and assiduous
in courting useful friends. A good name is a great stepping-stone, and
to secure this he was correct and respectable in his conduct and
demeanor. "Correctness," in fact, was his religion and code of morality.
Of course, right and wrong were relative terms, and it was not to be
expected that any one should live up to the exact letter of the law. A
margin was allowable.
Nevertheless, decorum and all outward observances were due to society,
and indispensable. Acting on this principle, there was no more popular
and respected young man at twenty-one, in Belton, than Rufus Heath, nor
one with brighter prospects. Counsellor Hull, his patron, declared that
the young lawyer promised to be an ornament to the profession; and when
the Counsellor was called to the bench, Rufus Heath succeeded to his
practice. Exempt from gross vices, and gifted with an elastic
conscience, the thriving lawyer successfully pursued his calling, until
his marriage with Miss Obershaw crowned his pecuniary prosperity. Now
the influence of riches made itself manifest, and it almost seemed as if
the precious metals had been injected into his veins. He stiffened,
became cold and imperturbable, laid aside his urbanity, and his
ill-concealed pride and contempt for the less prosperous betrayed
itself. And now that he had tasted all the joys that affluence can give,
and tasted them unto satiety, he craved the flattering unction of
distinction. Ambition was now his god. He was a politician, but a
successful one only so far as he had been assisted by his wealth and
family connections. He owed it to these powerful auxiliaries that he had
spent a term in Congress. But he had gained no prominence there. He
lacked oratorical ability, and without it, it is scarcely possible to
attain eminence in a republic. His daintiness, moreover, caused him to
recoil from contact with the masses, and though he strove to overcome
this repugnance when the occasion called for it, he had never entirely
succeeded. Perseverance, intrigue, and a lavish expenditure of money,
were the means he relied on to ascend the first steps of political
preferment. Once fairly launched as a public man, he doubted not his
ability to make his way and mark as a statesman or a diplomat. To become
Governor of his State was his present aim, and he had laid his plans to
secure the nomination from his party as a candidate at the next
election. To this end a host of emissaries, with money at command, were
at work throughout the State. The _Belton Sentinel_, the organ in the
county of Mr. Heath's party, advocated his interest with tremendous
energy, persistency, and abundance of adjectives. Finnegass, the
editor, was a poor printer, whose shop, presses, types, and all were
mortgaged to Rufus Heath. This well-known fact furnished an unfailing
quantity of sarcasm to the _Passaic County Argus_, the opposition sheet,
that invariably alluded to Finnegass as the "minion" or "serf," either
"pampered" or "truckling," of the "aristocrat on the cliff." These
amenities were treated by the editor of the _Sentinel_ with complete
indifference, until once (stung into retorting by some particularly
sharp gibe) he referred to the _Argus_ as an "obscure sheet of no
circulation, edited by a low, ignorant felon." Obscurity and "no
circulation" were accusations too atrocious to be borne, and the editor
of the _Argus_ flung them back, with indignation, in the teeth of his
defamer. This brought out sworn statements of copies issued by the two
presses, and much evidence on both sides was published; for the rival
editors were ready to go to any lengths to exculpate their respective
papers from so heinous a charge as obscurity or want of "circulation."
As for the personalities, they were treated as mild banter, tending to
enliven the canvass, and stimulate partisans.
At this time, to quote the after-words of the _Belton Sentinel_, "the
horizon of political affairs was darkening, and the clouds that confined
the storm destined to shake the fabric of our Union to its foundation,
were gathering ominously." The different parties were in a ferment. The
Whigs no longer existed--they had given way to an organization
originated by the Free-Soilers, and styling themselves Republicans.
There were, however, a large number of old Whigs wedded to their
prejudices, with a distaste for affiliation with the Democrats and a
greater repugnance to a party tainted in any degree with Abolitionism,
who looked upon the new movement as an ephemeral ebullition. These
individuals, calling themselves "Conservatives," imagined that it
required but an effort on their part to still the waters of political
strife, and decided to constitute themselves "bulwarks," and "arks of
safety." Among these was the Hon. Rufus Heath. Like all men of his
stamp, he was utterly opposed to any disturbance of the established
order of things. He was perfectly well satisfied with them as they were.
As for radicals or reformers, he hated their very name. Such people
sprang from the vulgar herd, and were only bent on mischief. His ideal
of a proper government was a constitutional monarchy supported by an
oligarchy of wealth, and to this form he believed the republic was
gradually tending. He was not unobservant of the increasing prestige of
birth. Position in the army, navy, or state was gradually tending to
perpetuate itself in certain families. The bearers of historic names
wielded a certain influence, which increased with time, and would
eventually and under certain circumstances crystallize into decided
power. Here were the germs of an oligarchy, which needed but a law of
entail to perfect itself and institute a class of hereditary
legislators, or house of peers--the bulwark indispensable against the
agrarianism inherent in a democratic form of government.
* * * * *
In order to exchange views on the condition of the body-politic, and
devise means to combat the evil influences then prevailing (to say
nothing of advancing his own personal plans), Mr. Heath took advantage
of the presence in the vicinity of a statesman who had occupied a very
exalted position in the commonwealth, to ask him to meet at dinner
sundry other influential and distinguished citizens, and confer on the
important subjects in question.
The preliminary step was to send for Mr. Mumbie. Mr. Heath had an
imperial way of summoning people to him, and his mandates were generally
obeyed with alacrity--always so when addressed to his good old neighbor
and toady, Mumbie; who, although suffering from an attack of rheumatic
gout, hobbled as quickly as his swollen feet would permit him, in prompt
response to the call.
"Mumbie," said Mr. Heath, "I suppose you have heard that there is a
great deal of talk about my running for Governor at the next election?"
Mr. Mumbie had not heard of it, nor had any one else; but he looked and
nodded as if it were a familiar and constant topic of conversation with
everybody.
"Well, I have not yet made up my mind whether I will consent to run or
not. However, that is neither here nor there at present, nor what I
wanted to see and talk with you about. Senator Rangle is your brother's
wife's cousin, I believe, and you are on a familiar footing with him,
are you not?"
"Yes, sir," said Mumbie, listening attentively.
"So I thought. Now Rangle and I are not on the very best of terms. He
accuses me, I believe, of having used my influence against him in the
Legislature, when he sought a renomination--said I wanted the place
myself, and so forth. He is mistaken in that. However, I am willing to
pass it over, as this is a time when personal feeling should not
interfere to prevent men from acting in accord on vital questions of
state. Here is the point. I have asked ex-President ---- to meet Judge
Hull at dinner Thursday week. Several other prominent gentlemen will be
present, and matters of importance may be discussed. Now, Mumbie, you
can assist me in this way: call on Rangle, state to him that as my
friend you regret that there should be any divergence of opinion between
us; that from your personal knowledge I have never held any but the
highest opinion of him; and so on. You might then introduce the subject
of the proposed dinner, and state that you know that I would be pleased
to have him make one of the company. On your report, if everything is
satisfactory, I can forward him a formal invitation. Now, my dear
Mumbie, you will help me in this little matter, and I can rely on your
discretion, I know."
"Certainly, Mr. Heath, certainly. I shall be delighted to undertake the
job;" and Mr. Mumbie hastened off, big with the importance of his
mission, and happy as if he had received an order for ten thousand reams
of foolscap, paid for in advance. His task was an easy one. The senator
was flattered by Mr. Heath's advances, and in no way averse to partake
of his dinners, whose celebrity had reached him; moreover, in no way
disinclined to forego the opportunity of meeting ex-President ----,
whose political star seemed to glimmer forth again in the ascendant.
It is almost superfluous to mention, that the dinner was all that could
be expected, for whatever Mr. Heath's other qualities may have been,
good taste he unquestionably possessed, and in the important matter of
dinner-giving he was behind no one. And when it is considered how
important a part that art has displayed in diplomacy, it could not be
denied that his aspirations to shine in that career were not by any
means presumptuous. An opinion, it is safe to say, that would have been
heartily indorsed by all who were fortunate enough to partake of the
memorable repast. Perhaps a little less starched ceremony on the part of
the host would not have been amiss; still, that was more than
compensated by the quality of the _menu_. As usual on such extraordinary
occasions, an eminent _chef_ from the metropolis directed the culinary
operations, and many bottles of old South Side Madeira and choice
Hermitage, that had lain for years in dusty racks, were brought to
light, and decanted for the delectation of appreciative palates; such a
palate, for instance, as a Chief Justice of great legal acumen and good
digestion, or a portly ex-Federal dignitary possesses, or even that of a
dainty young High-Church ecclesiastic full of zeal and sentiment, like
Spencer Abbott. What a fine dinner it was, to be sure! Rather formal and
cold, it is true, in the drawing-rooms as the host was receiving his
guests. Mrs. Applegate was flushed and fidgety amid such illustrious
visitors, and Mr. Mumbie was ill at ease in his capacious white
waistcoat, tight gloves, and freshly dyed whiskers. Such grand company
impressed him immensely, and for fear of lapsus linguae, he restricted
himself to monosyllabic replies. The Chief Justice, being hungry, was
somewhat surly until dinner was announced, when he ponderously and
feebly toddled into the dining-room in advance of the other guests, and
regardless of Mr. Heath's intention to have him lead Mrs. Applegate in.
This duty therefore devolved on the ex-Federal dignitary, who did it
with much courtly grace. How well the host presided, and how elegant he
appeared! His stately white neck-tie and glossy gray locks were arranged
with a precision that was mathematical, and with his small elegant white
hands he looked as if he were descended from a long line of
partridge-fed ancestors. A worthy pendant, indeed, to the ex-Federal
dignitary, whose proudest boast was that he had been complimented by a
queen as the most elegant American gentleman she had ever seen. What a
contrast the two presented to Judge Hull, with his fell of white hair
streaming over his massive head and bent shoulders, his beetling sable
brows shading a pair of cavernous eyes, and who always looked as if he
were on the bench administering inexorable justice. He certainly did to
the dinner, and it was with difficulty that he could be drawn out by the
host, and made to enlighten the company with bits of prodigious wisdom.
Finnegass, the editor of the _Sentinel_, who occupied a seat at the
farther end of the table, and expected to gather material for a
brilliant leader from the table-talk of the assembled sages, was greatly
disappointed at the commonplace style of the conversation.
"Heath, this soup's not so bad," quoth the Judge during a short
breathing spell; "I'll take another plateful. What do you call it?
_Potage a la Reine._ Ha--queen-pottage, eh? Well-named, verily. A man
might well sell his birthright for a mess of such, and not be a fool
either."
"Touching the late proceedings in Congress, Judge," edged in Mr. Heath,
"you cannot have failed to notice how the breach is gradually widening.
There seems to be a disposition on the part of certain members to push
matters to extremes, and bring about a rupture at any cost. Don't you
think, that an expression of opinion--a decided expression on the part
of the higher classes--the respectable and influential part of the
community, would go far to--to--"
"This can be arranged and must be," replied the Judge, addressing his
plate dogmatically. "The hot-heads of both parties must be made to
listen to reason, and the conservative element of the country should at
once take the reins. By the bye, this white Burgundy is the same I've
tasted here before, is it not? Yquem, you said? A good wine--a very good
wine. The field has been left entirely too much to the fanatics of the
East and the fire-eaters of the South, and to stop the current of
demagogism which threatens to overwhelm us, we need the best efforts of
sound sagacious statesmen like our friend here."
The friend referred to by the Judge's fork was the ex-Federal dignitary,
who bowed an acknowledgment of the flattering allusion, and with a
little deprecatory wave of the hand replied, "No doubt--no doubt, Judge,
you are quite right. All that is necessary is to bring the best men of
the country together to concerted action, and the matter can be settled
without any difficulty. But if we hold aloof--if the great legal lights,
such gentlemen as yourself or our friend Mr. Heath; or the heads of
finance, as represented by our friend on my left, Mr. Bawbee; or the
masterminds of the manufacturing and industrial interests, such as our
friend Mr. Mumbie; in short, if the intellect and wealth and
respectability of the nation do not interfere, and continue to permit
men like Sumner and Seward to persist in their incendiary leadership, we
may--I say it without hesitation and with great regret--we may expect
any catastrophe."
Mr. Mumbie, who had been listening with awe and attention to the words
of the great men in whose presence he was, reddened with modest
confusion on being designated as a master-mind. He had never taken
exactly that view of himself, but on reflection, concluded it to be an
eminently fit and proper one, and felt that the world had much to answer
for in having so greatly underrated him hitherto. "I quite agree with
you. I do indeed, sir. Your remarks are very correct, sir; very correct
indeed, I assure you, sir," spoke he, feeling that he ought to say
something to keep up his reputation of a master-mind.
Finnegass, the editor, emboldened by generous wine, ventured to remark:
"In my article in last Monday's _Sentinel_, I alluded to this very
subject, and put it in rather forcible terms to the--" But he was cut
short by the Judge, who, being at leisure between courses, resumed his
harangue: "The proper way to settle this trouble is very simple. It can
be arranged with very little difficulty. I am quite confident of that,
and speak advisedly. All that is necessary is a conference of the
patriotic intellects from all sections North and South, East and West,
to restore harmony to the councils of our country. Of course,
forbearance is indispensable, and a spirit of conciliation should
preside over all deliberations, and--this _pate_ has the appearance of
being very fine--very fine. I'll take some more of the truffles."
"I wrote an article which created--" again attempted Finnegass.
"Mr. Bawbee, a glass of wine with you, if you please," said the host,
adroitly checking the editor, and nodding gracefully to the financier.
Mr. Bawbee was a Western banker, of Scotch birth, who had made no end of
pelf by starting banks and issuing paper money. He took the floor,
figuratively speaking, and predicted the dismemberment of the Union. Mr.
Bawbee being a shrewd, hard-headed Scot, had an opinion of his own.
"It'll never do in the world, Judge. The matter has gone too far. Mark
my words, gentlemen, you'll see the States divided into three
confederacies, and that within two years. I know the sentiments and
temper of the Western people, and if the South secedes, which it
doubtless will, the West will sever their connection with the East. In
my section they deem their interests more closely identified with those
of the South, than with the manufacturing East, and will never permit
the mouth of the Mississippi, their great natural highway, to pass into
the control of a foreign people, hence it is not improbable that in
certain eventualities they would join hands with the South; but I am
inclined to believe, as I mentioned at first, that the upshot will be a
division into three confederations, and perhaps, as the Pacific States
grow in importance, into four."
"Tut--tut, Mr. Bawbee," interrupted Mr. Justice Hull, "all those minor
differences and territorial jealousies can be reconciled. As I have
before stated, a well-selected conference could settle the vexed
question in a short time. Get the right men together, and I have, no
doubt as to the result."
The Judge was inclined to be impatient of other people's opinions when
they clashed with his own, and was always the Sir Oracle of his circle.
The Rev. Spencer Abbott, who was not greatly interested in the questions
of state discussed by the other guests, diverted himself in dulcet
small-talk with his fair neighbor, the daughter of the house. In spite
of an evident desire to please, he was apparently unsuccessful, for Miss
Edna showed signs of weariness by an occasional pouting of her delicate
lips, and seemed much relieved when the cloth being drawn, enabled her
and her aunt, who were the only ladies present, to retire to the
drawing-room. Poor Abbott would gladly have joined them, for he was
dreadfully bored by Finnegass, who, exalted by wine and in default of
any other listener, attached himself to the clergyman, and treated him
to choice extracts from stirring leaders, until it was only by steady
sips of coffee and a supreme effort of will, that Abbott refrained from
lapsing into slumber.
At length Rangle came to the rescue, and merriment prevailed; for that
eminent senator, ignoring the weighty topics under discussion, proved a
perfect cornucopia of jokes and funny anecdotes, and actually drew a
smile from the grim old Judge.
By this time Mr. Mumbie had recovered his self-possession, and grown
bold and garrulous. He ventured to occupy a vacant chair next to the
ex-President (that had been set apart for John Heath who had not
condescended to appear), and informed that dignitary that he (Mumbie)
was a much older man than any one would take him for. As the
ex-President, on being asked, failed to guess Mr. Mumbie's age, Mr.
Mumbie imparted the information, triumphantly adding that Mrs. Mumbie
was very much his junior, as he had married late in life. "Here's a
knife," continued he, drawing forth the bone-handled jack-knife, "that I
have carried steadily, sir, steadily for over fifty years. Now I don't
think there are many such instances on record. My local attachments are
very strong. It's a peculiarity in our family which--"
"Between ourselves, and what is said here will of course go no farther,"
said Mr. Heath, with a sharp glance at Mr. Mumbie, "had we not better
take some preliminary steps at once, in regard to the matter we have
been discussing? I think we are all of one opinion on the subject. With
your permission, Judge, I would suggest that you and Senator Rangle
should by all means go as delegates from this State. Our friend Mr. ----
ought of course to represent New York. Then I have thought that perhaps
Crittenden would be of all men the most proper to lead the delegation
from his section. In fact, I have already written him on the subject,
and will send for a copy of my letter and read it to you."
"Not now, Heath; I'll listen to it some other time," said Judge Hull.
"Very well, I merely wished to show that I have approached him in a
cautious way, and in a manner that I do not doubt will meet with your
approval. Now, how does the selection of delegates strike you? I mean,
of course, as far as I have gone?"
"Well--well. I'll think of it--what liqueur is that?"
* * * * *
The Judge did think of it, and the conference was held, as we all know.
The Judge, the ex-Federal dignitary, and Senator Rangle, were all
there, and in company with other conservative gentlemen tried to stop
the Niagara flood of progress with bulrushes. But the tide that was
destined to sweep away the last relic of barbarism in our country, was
rising fast, and the conservative brooms that were striving to stem it
were flourished in vain.
* * * * *
Meanwhile Judge Hull took another _chasse-cafe_ of cognac, to fortify
himself against the night air, and looking at his watch, directed his
carriage to be called, and rather unceremoniously departed. The Rev.
Spencer Abbott slipped away to join the ladies in the drawing-room,
while the other guests accompanied the host to the picture-gallery.
After the ex-Federal dignitary, Senator Rangle, and Mr. Bawbee had
retired to their respective bedchambers for the night, Mr. Heath
remained closeted with Finnegass in the library, while the former
concocted an article (the editor being incapacitated by the dinner from
any intellectual effort for the time being), to appear in the next issue
of the _Belton Sentinel_, and which he expected would create a marked
sensation. This article, a lengthy and portentous leader, was prefaced
by the following:
"We are gratified to announce that a movement of very great and
general importance to the public, in relation to the present crisis
of political affairs, is in progress; the particulars of which
having been communicated to us in confidence, we do not feel at
liberty to impart."
This statement having stimulated the reader's curiosity and attention to
a proper degree, the writer, after a few paragraphs, relented from his
stoical secrecy, and with generous confidence divulged the fact that he
had been invited to be present--
"at an informal meeting of distinguished citizens, among whom were
ex-President ----, Senator Rangle, Chief Justice Hull, Andrew
Bawbee, Esq., the wealthy and influential Western banker, M.
Mumbie, Esq., and several other gentlemen scarcely less eminent,
held at the residence of our esteemed fellow-townsman, Hon. Rufus
Heath, to deliberate and take into consideration the critical
situation of our country. This assemblage, comprising, as it did,
some of the greatest minds of the country, and men conspicuous for
their ability in all the higher walks of life--the bench, the bar,
the clergy, statecraft, finance, and the manufacturing interest
being all represented--were enabled to bring to the consideration
of the topic before them that mature reflection, and careful,
dispassionate deliberation, which are the fruits only of rare
sagacity and profound wisdom. Good faith forbids us to say more,
and we have no desire to be premature, but we think we may venture
to add, that it was decided to hold, at an early day, a grand
National council, to sit at some central point, and to be composed
of delegates from every section of the Union. We will not pursue
the subject further at present, but we cannot refrain from
observing that, the fact that these gentlemen, whose names are
synonyms for all that is great, wise, and patriotic, should devote
their energies to devise means to avert the storm that threatens
the safety of the ship of state, is one of the most hopeful signs
that an era of concord is at hand, when sectionalism, radicalism,
and demagogism in every shape and form, will meet a merited doom,
and be banished forever from the Legislative halls of a free,
united, and prosperous people.
"It is but just to state that the idea and inception of this
proposed National conference, which will doubtless mark an epoch in
our country's history, is due to our fellow-citizen, Hon. Rufus
Heath, whom the spontaneous and united voice of the people has
designated as the next occupant of the gubernatorial chair of this
State. When we see such evidences of enlightened patriotism, such
an unselfish love of country on the part of a gentleman whose
wealth and position are a sufficient guarantee that he is actuated
by no desire for personal aggrandizement or ambitious motive, we do
not wonder that his countrymen, without distinction of party, turn
instinctively towards him as the proper leader and councillor in
this hour of trial, when, if ever, sound statesmanship and
disinterested devotion to the welfare of the whole country are
needed. And while we know that it will be no easy matter to prevail
upon Mr. Heath to run for the office, and that he would, with
extreme reluctance, give up his retirement and important
occupations, and could only be moved by a strong sense of duty to
again enter the arena of public life, we feel that the people have
the right to ask him, in this exigency, to so far sacrifice his
personal interests and inclinations, and yield to their wishes, by
accepting a post which he, of all others, is best fitted, to
fill--that of GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY."
This article had the good fortune to attract the notice of the
metropolitan sheets, who commented on the purposes of the ex-Federal
dignitary and his friends in various terms. The radical press poked
facetiousness at the venerable statesmen; called them fossils; and
compared them to the famous tailors of Tooley Street; but whose fault
was it that the great Peace Congress resulted in unsuccess, and that the
well-meant efforts of its members were fruitless? Whose, but that of
those perverse spirits who would not recognize the fact that "Canaan was
cursed," and that it was flying in the face of Providence and against
Holy Writ, to meddle with his cursedness in any way?