I remember that most of us wanted to be statesmen--a fact due probably to the shining example of Silas Wright.
Then he said that on a certain evening he would try "to show us the way over the mountains." For some months I had been studying a book just published, entitled, _Stenographic Sound-Hand_ and had learned its alphabet and practised the use of it.

That evening I took down the remarks of Mr.Hacket in sound-hand.
The academy chapel was crowded with the older boys and girls and the town folk.

The master never clipped his words in school as he was wont to do when talking familiarly with the children.
"Since the leaves fell our little village has occupied the center of the stage before an audience of millions in the great theater of congress.
Our leading citizen--the chief actor--has been crowned with immortal fame.

We who watched the play were thrilled by the query: Will Uncle Sam yield to temptation or cling to honor?
He has chosen the latter course and we may still hear the applause in distant galleries beyond the sea.
He has decided that the public revenues must be paid in honest money.
"My friend and classmate, George Bancroft, the historian, has written this letter to me out of a full heart: "'Your fellow townsman, Silas Wright, is now the largest figure in Washington.

We were all worried by the resolution of Henry Clay until it began to crumble under the irresistible attack of Mr.
Wright.