South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1835-08-08
Biography of Hugh L. White.
From the Nashville Republican.
[coNcLuDED.l

10 wv HCsH III VIE mcuuiy Vi az, duu
the measures too notorious to be detail,
ed in this place. But during the COM
paratiyely short period of his public
career, more weighty subjects have
been discussed doubtful points
of national policy settled--more diff.
culties removed from the free admin
istration Of Governnent-more polite.
/ cal heresies preached or exterminated,
than in any other period OF Americap
history of the same length. The
whole theory of government has been
subjected to an ioquisition, which spar
ed neither the ancient, nor the venera.
4 BILE, nor the strong, nor the weak. In
the scales of justice or honesty they
have all been weighed, and have found
the level,or the supposed level, of,heir
merits. Its maritime and commercial
policy has been revolutionised. It's
banking establishments upturned. The
powers of the General Government
in internal improvements and Execu.
tive patronage have been scrutinized
and settled. The origin and nature of
the Federal Compact have been discus
sed with earnestness & ability, 81 its val
ue has been calculated. & its fundamen.
tai principles banded about with the
familiarity oftoys. These momentous
questions have all been settled, and the
people have fixed upon the result the
seal Of their sanction. The man who
can pass such an ordeal unscathed-
having borne an active and energetic
part in them all, to say the least Of it,
does not lack experience in public af.
fairs which would fit him for any Of
flee in the Government. With what
character Judge White has passed
through these scenes, is known to eve-
ry man in the nation. His political
doctrines are of the great republican
school. During Mr.. Adams's admin.
istration, w hen the Panama mission was
agitated--which brought into discus
sion the power ofthe General Govern
ment-Hugh L. White opposed the
measure with unusual ability. AS to
the Tariff, he has always shown a firm
but rational opposition to it, both by
his vote and upon the floor. In 1926
he avowed himself an enemy to Exc.
culive patronage, and the measures
naturally growing out Of it. Internal.
Improvement by the General Govern
ment has never met bis sanction.-
When the subject of Executive patron
age was again brought before the
House, under change of administra.
ton, Hugh l.. White advocated the
same principles; though for his con
sistency he has been accused of deser-
ting the present administration. The
man who possesses principles which are
too stubborn to bend for office or emol.
ument, for smiles or frowns, cannot
be justly accused of sdesertion.' II
there has been charge any where, it
is ia the desertion of present republic
cans from the principles which they
held ten years ago.
But Hugh l.. White is to be viewed
in still more conspicuous light. In
1882 John C. Calhoun resigned the
Vice Presidency Of the United States.
and the Senate was left without pre-.
siding officer. 1t was on the eve of
that memorable session when the de-
bate upon the Tariff had well nigh
severed the Union. The first talent
Of the nation was there congfegated,
and every man had arrayed hiMseIf on
| one side or the other. The prize at
issue was the CONSTITUTION ; and the
leaders of the respective divisions
came armed with the desperate rsso-
luton to carry their measures, though
disunion on one side, and civil war on
the other, were the consequence
Proud inthe strength Of conscious great
ness, irritated by supposed aggression
or tyranny, and discordant to degree
that almost banished elaboration, they
1 foresaw that troublous times were not
| far distant. Ii was seen that no or.
binary mind could be able to curb the
outbreakings of passion, and to main
tain its equipoise through 81 doubtful
a contest. In full view OF all these
difficulties, Hugh l.. White was elected
/ President ofthe Sena.e--& how he sus.
tainedthe exalted expectations OF tina.
body 81 the nation, is now a matter Of
history. The irmuess, impartialiiy, de.
cision, and dignity with which he pre-.
sided over the stormy debate, proved
that no false estimate had been placed
upon his character. But mildness and
honesty alone, would have command
ed respect 10 so discordant and hostile
a body. Virtues may sway the sffac-
tons, but mind alone can command