Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-08-06

rough goi6g supporters but may say, now
that the period is past many who voted for II
lived lung enough To acknowledge their error
and Of the members OF the senate at that day
many have since become well acquainted with
Mr.. Crawford, and learned tina, his vote Oh
that occasion was gwen without reference To
party, but with the foresight Of a profound
Judgment Welded to the democratic party,
| ny hing and established sympaihies, and ar
IDENTIFY attached To unsophisficated liberty, he
| continued to draw with the old patriarchs of
the republican family, MT suffering discre-
pency in matters of Judgment and fair. sprcu-
lation TO dissolve the ties which had bonndto.
srtht: the hest men ut the country. On the
contrary Mr.. Crawford cultivated acquaint
ance with Jefferson, Madison, Gallatin, Ma
con aod other distinguished gentlemen, and
they lat turn, discovering the manly bearing of
his character, sought assiduously his friend
ship aud il is matter OF noioriety that in 1911
-l3ia he had become the most popular man
in either house Of Congress and was, not only
! by the great executive officers, but on both
sides in the Senate and House Of Rcpresen
tati,es, esteemed the prominent champion Ol
the administ alton and this distinction hr
obtained while the frankness and conciiiatory
cast Of his manners attached to him friends
| from all parties.
| In the discussions into which he was me-
SSS-dttly OidWu, duu WHICH III the ptII'Q VI
l81l-l2 assumed the asperity Of the time,
presenting him often to the public eye asa
| fierce DICTATOR, abated nothing of the high pea
sonal consideration with which be was re-
garded by his political antagonists, always
making due allowance for the natural yigor and
zeal uf all his senatorial exhibitions. Prelim-
| nary to the declaration of war, in 1919. he
was universally considered the main stay of
the administration in the Senate; without
whose steady and manly counsels, that body,
in its divided state, would have frequently
wavrred.
| On the failure Of Gen. Hull, not little dis
satisfac ton with the conduct ofthe war de-
| pattment was manifested in various quarters
| of the country, in consequence Of which the
resignation of secretary Eustis took place. Mir.
Crawford was invited by the President to
take charge Of that important department. but
ne declined the distinguished honor, with the
| frank avowal. that his pursuits and engage
inents had not qualified him to manage the
details ofihe army, to do which successfully,
he thought more intimate acquaintance with
military affairs than bis opportunities had al
lowed, was required. His determination was
| not only aproof of his integrity, but secured
for him the appreciation Of all, correctly in
formed of his motives. To his own scruples
| Of his qualifications for the situation in qurs-
ton, other considerations We're superadded,
still more strongly terrifying his resolution 10
decline the offer Of the President. HIS pre-
sence in the Senate was, with the friends of
the administration, deemed OF the highest
concern; il being matter not tn BIZ disputed,
that by them he was az strongly urged to re-
main in the Senate, as he was pressed by The
President to make one of the cabinet speak
now of matters notorious TO most leading pub
| lie men, in and about the seat Of government
| and If it We're necessary many respectable
| witnesses could be cited to prove these state
ments.
10 the second year Of the war, the relations
between the UDi;rd States and the grea, belli
gerents of Europe became more and more
complex aud many most delicate incidents
were presented by the conduct of Napoleon
and his ministers touching The alleged repeal
Of the Berlin and Milan DEGREES. A vacancy
In the American lsgatien in France was pro
d"ctd by the death of Mr. Barlow and il b.
| came matter Of great interest with the Pre-
7'dent and his friends that the place should b-
immediately filled by gentleman who en-
J"yed the confidence of all parties one above
an COLLISION, and too stern to be managed by
the arts of the French Court. MIR. Crawford
more em'oeniiy than any other person knnwn
10 Mr. Madison, possess+d The qualities sought
for and was almost conGden;ially commits
stoned, for the express purpose of exrlorine
the American Bureau at Paris, and ascertain
| ing accurately the aptitude of Our relations
| with the Grand Monarch. IDeed only refer
| 20 the communications of the Senate and
| House Of Representatives with the state de-
partment, in 1918, and to the correspondence
between the Secretary Of state and the FrenyN
Minister, then residing at Washington, aud the
purposes Of Mr. Cran furd's visit to France
will be fully reveaied*
The catastrophe Of the great campaign Of
1 1918, in Europe. and the glorious termination
of our war with England, superseded the in
yrstigations contemplated In the mission 10
| France, and afforded Mr.. Crawford AN early
opportunity to return home, in compliance
| with his own arrangements and siipulations q,
The time Of his departure from Washington.
| He came home in the same vessel with his
past friend, the lsmeDisd Bayard; and on his
| arrival took charge of the War department,
TO which be had been appointed in anticipation
of his return there remaining until the resig
| nation OF Mr.. Dallas. he was transferred by
| the President to the Treasury Department,
and therein has been continued 10 the present
! time. Thus il Will be seen, that Mr.. Crsw-
ford owes his distinction to his own Intrinsic
merits, having risen from humble condition
10 his present eminence, by no accidental or
forluitous circumstances. At first ne was
called isto public service by the choice Of the
people with whom he lived from the Legis-
ldture Of his own State wherein he had served
four or FIVE successive sessions, he was trans
ferred by the votes Of the representatives Of
the people TO the Senate Of the United States,
in which he served without remission from the
winter of 1907 until the spring Of 1918, and
thence by the nomination Of Mr. Madison, and
by aud with the advice and consent Of the
Il. II