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"When, Mr. President, a man, however eminent in other pursuits andwhatever claims he may have to public confidence, becomes a member ofthis body, he has much to learn and much to endure. Little does he knowof what he will have to encounter. He may be well read in publicaffairs, but he is unaware of the difficulties which must attend andembarrass every effort to render what he may know available and useful.He may be upright in purpose and strong in the belief of his ownintegrity, but he cannot even dream of the ordeal to which he cannotfail to be exposed; of how much courage he must possess to resist thetemptations which must daily beset him; of that sensitive shrinkingfrom undeserved censure which he must learn to control; of the everrecurring contest between a natural desire for public approbation and asense of public duty; of the load of injustice he must be content tobear even from those who should be his friends; the imputations on hismotives; the sneers and sarcasms of ignorance and malice; all themanifold injuries which partisan or private malignity, disappointed ofits object, may shower upon his unprotected head. All this, if he wouldretain his integrity, he must learn to ear unmoved and walk steadilyonward in the path of public duty, sustained only by the reflectionthat time may do him justice; or if not, that his individual hopes andaspirations and even his name among men should be of little account tohim when weighed in the balance of a people of whose destiny he is aconstituted guardian and defender." —WILLIAM PITT FESSENDEN
In memorial address before the Senate, 1866. Miss Betty Madisonembarks on the Political Sea. Her Discoveries, Surprises, and Triumphs.
"If we receive this Lady Mary Montgomery, we shall also have to receiveher dreadful husband."
"He is said to be quite charming."
"He is a Representative!"
"Of course they are all wild animals to you, but one or two have beenpointed out to me that looked quite like ordinary gentlemen—really."
"Possibly. But no person in official life has ever entered my house. Ido not feel inclined to break the rule merely because the wife of oneof the most objectionable class is an Englishwoman with a title. Ithink it very inconsiderate of Lady Barnstaple to have given her aletter to us."
"Lee, never having lived in Washington, doubtless fancies, like therest of the benighted world, that its officials are its aristocracy.The Senate of the United States is regarded abroad as a sort of Houseof Peers. One has to come and live in Washington to hear of the 'OldWashingtonians,' the 'cave-dwellers,' as Sally calls us; I expected tosee a coat of blue mould on each of them when I returned."
"Really, Betty, I do not understand you this morning." Mrs. Madisonmoved uneasily and took out her handkerchief. When her daughter's richSouthern voice hardened itself to sarcasm, and her brilliant hazel eyesexpressed the brain in a state of cold analysis, Mrs. Madison bracedherself for a contest in which she inevitably must surrender with whatslow dignity she could command. Betty had called her Molly since shewas fourteen months old, and, sweet and gracious in small matters,invariably pursued her own way when sufficiently roused by the strengthof a desir