I dare say if he
had been compelled to proceed with his speech that day it
would have been fatal. In that case my life would have been
embittered by the memory.
We had a meeting of the Republican members of the Committee,
for consultation, before we reported the Bill. Mr. Evarts,
while he approved the principle of the measure, shared very
strongly my own hesitation, caused by the fear of the political
effect of the defeat of a measure likely to excite so much
angry strife throughout the country. After hearing the opinion
of those who favored going on with the Bill, Mr. Evarts said:
"I spent a Sunday with Judge Kent on the Hudson a good many
years ago, with several New York lawyers. We all went to
the Episcopal church in the forenoon, and dined with the Judge
after church. During the service one of the company kept
far behind in the responses, which annoyed the Judge a good
deal. At dinner he broke out, 'Davis, why can't you descend
into hell with the rest of the congregation?' I will descend
into hell with the rest of the congregation."
Mr. Evarts made the descent and stood loyally by the measure
in the debate to the best of his great ability.
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