At the dinner
given to the Electoral College after the election, where Mr.
Webster was present, Judge Thomas shocked the meeting by saying:
"Some persons have spoken of our candidate as their second
choice. I am proud to say that General Taylor was not only
my last, but my first choice." So, when Judge Thomas was
in Congress, while he was as thoroughly loyal, patriotic,
and brave a man as ever lived, he opposed the policies of
the Republican Party for carrying on the war and putting down
the Rebellion. He was thought to be inspired by a great dislike
of submitting to party authority or even to that of President
Lincoln. He was very fond of young men. When he was Judge
they always found that they had all the consideration that
they deserved, and had no fear of being put at a disadvantage
by any antagonist, however able or experienced. The Judge
seemed always to be stirred by the suggestion of an intellectual
difficulty. When I was seeking some remedy at his hands,
especially in equity, I used to say that I thought I had a
just case, but I was afraid his Honor might think the legal
difficulties were insuperable and I did not know whether I
could get his Honor's approbation of what I asked.
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