sting a demand which manifested itself among
Republicans in both Houses of Congress for immediate and vigorous
action which would without doubt have brought on the war with
Spain without delay. He hoped then that the war might be
avoided. I had to go to the Capitol before complying with
the President's request, as it was shortly before the time
for the session. As I was leaving the Capitol to go to the
White House, I met Senator Walthall. He said, "You seem to
be going the wrong way this morning," or something like that.
I said, "Yes, I am going to see the President." Senator Walthall
said; "I wish you would be good enough to say to him from
me that he may depend upon the support of the Democrats in
the Senate, with only one or two exceptions," whom he named,
"to support him in his efforts to avoid war, and to accomplish
a peaceful solution of the difficulties in regard to Cuba."
I undertook to give the message. And just as we were parting,
Senator Walthall turned and said to me that he wished to tell
me how highly he regarded me, and how sensible he was, notwithstanding
my very strong Northern feeling, of my appreciation of the
character of the Southern people, and my desire to do them
full justice. He added that he regarded it one of the most
pleasant things that had happened to him in life that he had
had the pleasure of serving with me. I do not now remember
that I ever spoke to him again. He did not come to the Senate
Chamber very often afterward. I have thought since that this
unwonted expression of deep feeling from a gentleman not
wont to wear his heart upon his sleeve toward his political
opponent, and a man with whom he so often disagreed, was
due to a premonition, of which he was perhaps unconscious,
that the end of his life was near, and to the kindly and
gentle emotions which in a brave and affectionate heart like
his the approach of death is apt to bring.

I could hardly venture to repeat this story, to which there
is no other witness than my own, but for some letters in my
possession from Mr. Walthall's daughter and friends in which
the writers quote even stronger expressions of his regard.

I heard a great deal of him from Senator Lamar, who loved
him as a brother, and almost worshipped him as a leader. Senator
Lamar told me that he thought Walthall the ablest military
genius of the Confederacy, with the exception of Lee, and,
I think, of Stonewall Jackson. Indeed, I think he expressed