Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-07-02
Ete Constitutional c1abt9.
WEDNESDAY MORNING., IuNE 80, 1880.
THE INTKIGUER.


wholly to disqualify for the functions of Gov
eminent, but that by which the power OF exercising
those functions Is very frequently obtaned-f mean
spirit and habit Of io,o cabat and ntrts's toh'ct
haze in instance united ruth cGPacuy
for sound and manly policy"
Every age and country have furnished the originals
of the great Philosopher delincation; our own time
presents the example of who might have sat for
the picture. In 1914 the present Secretary OF State
was obscure village lawyer in the State of New
York; in an incredibly short space of time, he has
contrIved to advance himself to the second and now
boldly reaches out his grasp the first honour
within the gift, and the supreme rule over twelve
millions of people. In tracing his RI e, the enquirer
can discover no eminent services redderedthe Repub
lic no benefcent policy of which he was the author,
on evidence of remarkable abilities, which many 9th
aers have clearly eYhibitedto account for his
sudden and soaring elevation. As lawyer, his rep
uta,on never rose to the height of many cotempora
fies of his native State as influential politician in
the Legislature of New York, his efforts were pTin-
,cipoy directed to humble the ascendency of De Witt
Clinton and organize for party triunphs. the hume
rous factions which have always agated that great
Commonwealth we pretend to no minute acquaintance
with HIS the history of the Legislation and internal
affairs IF that State during the period of his party
but if he proposed OF achieved aught tor
the common good that argues extraordinary sugacity
expansion or benevoence the fame Of it has never
reached our ears as Governor single common place
and electioneeriDg message IS the only monument oil
his service His career in the Senate of the United
States, is more generally known. In that eminent
body he for many years, Chairman ofthe Judica-
rv Committee one or the least Importance In that
capacity wo are ignorant OF any thing that proceeded
from his pen of general nature, calculated either to
enhance his reputation, or to advance the Jurlspru-
Gence of the country AS Senator, a single speech
on the Panama Mission, neither the abest nor the
most admired, the principal basis OF his fame as
Statesman. What he has done as Secretary OF State,
in the shape of instructions to those to whom Is dele
eated the duty of managing our foreign relations IS
not vet developed either by results or the publication
of the instructions themselves. SIN the name OF all
the Gods at once, upon what meat has this cur Cae
sar fed that he hath grown SO greaG
In his works, we can find sufficient explanation
of this mans unprecedentedly rapid rise intrns-
calv. his sentiments are tame and common place
.ompared with the abilities displayed by Others their
CONCEPTIONS of policy and power ofadvocacy his may
y;tbout the suspicion of prejudice be deemed mean g.
altogether inferior This compaI alive and intrinsic in
would be more than balanced by the discovery
of his recognition Of and nflexibe adherence to right
pr;ncipes On he contrary, his life has been sue
cesson of summersetts. A Federalist, CimtoAan,
, Rrckta latitudnarian, Unitarian; lie has tried
them ALL and held fast just long and no longer as
# vas personallv convenient. The prospect of one
dav reaching the Presidency, opened upon him for the
first time, when by aiding Mr.. Crawford in N York,
no either presumed or told that the favor would
be gratefully remembered. His State would be
raadv to supoorta candidate of her own, and the co
nerat;no gratitude of the South with incidental aid
which ooportlnity might secure, would be sufficient
for success The origin of these ambitious aspira-
tons in the mind of the Secretary is distinctly mark
I'D nv numerous circumstances. His pilgrimage to
;ro;n;a his poupous visit of friendship to Mr. Craw-
e,xd rho ,ncessant adulation which from that time
forward. his mouth pieces at Albany and New York
,v;sbed unon Virginia and every thing south of the
po.on,o IN an extent nauseous to the very objects
oftbe fettery-these and many minor indications
efficiently established the nature OF his views, the
,;n,s when he first conceived them, and the means
through which he sought success Now too, we iirs'
becin - hear Of his zeal for State RtgS-a zeal singu
1arlv deficient in good tcorks, for while the Senator
from New York endeavorcd to propitiate the stTic'
constrctions.s by professions of attachment TO tee
r;nci,les and declarations of his purpose to AID II
recovering ethc lost rights of the States lie contin
nod IN the last, to vote for those measures of I'm
movement by which those "lost rights" were ina
pined to be chiefly endangered
Such is a candid review, TO the best OF our belief
of this mans public lifo the evidence Of his talents
services and attachment to principles; and the claims
which he offers for the most responsible station IN the
nation. Defective IN detail it may be-defectlve II
deneation of character and claim, we do not believe
it to be-defective in candor we know 1t not TO be-
Whatever surprise may feel at his rise' SO un
common for its sudeenuess dsproportIoncd to the
character of bis intellect and services and so ccps
p many Others his superiors in every respect, he ma
eth risen and it to account for the quo mode
tFhe FIRST great undoubtedly, is the choracte
epsions ofhis native State, TO concate which
il primary object with every administration and ev
We need lnnlr M f1rfhn