The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-12-02
From The Democratic Retietc.
PRESIDENT TYLER.

II has fallen 10 the lot Of but few individuals TO ex-
ercise potent influence the destnies Of their
country, the subject of this sketch But recently
elevated to the Office of Vice President Of the nation,
post which has heretofore been considered of far
less than secondary Importance to that of the Chief
Magistrate, Mr. T. Ter by solemn dispensation OF
Providence became invested with the attributes OF
Executive power on the very threshold of his official
career. The death of President Harrison, and his
accession thereby to the station Of Chief Magistrate,
events OF too recent occurrence TO require more
than passing notice. The limits assigned to this
| sketch will not permit elaborate review of the
earlier incidents Of his life, and shall therefore
but briefly glance over the more prominent features
Of his history, and proceed to the discussion of those
great measures of pubic policy which have been agi-
tated since his elevation 70 the Presidency and over
many OF which he has exercised so sauary control.
John Tyler was born III Charles City cOunty Nlr-
ginia the 20lh of March, $780, and is now in the
hfty-,hird year of his age His father entered most
zealously INTO the cause of the revolution was very
early in the contest elected 10 the General Assembly
which body he presided as its speaker for sevc-
| raj years-eujoyed close association with Patrick
Henry and the friendship and esteem of the distin-
guished statesmen of that day. For some wears he
was Governor Of the State of Virginia, having pre-
vious to his election filled many intermediate stations
An intimate friend of Thomas Jefferson, he pos
! sesscd the unreseryed confidence of that emin nj
| apostle of Democracy, which continued uninter-
rupted TO the close of his existence The frlendsh
of the father was continued to the son. and accord
ingly, at Mr.. Jeticrson's demise the subject Of our
! sketch was called on TO deliver eulogy on the de-
parted patriot; task to the performance Of which
he brought the vi ole energies of a cultivated mind
and ardent admiration of the character of the de-
ceased statesman. This eulogy was delivered at
Richmond, and eyinces deep seated conviction OF
the importance of Mr.. Jeierson's political principles
aud enthusiastic appreciation of the eminent SER
vices he rendered to MS country. At the early age
of twenty-oDe years, Mr. Tyler was elected TO the
Legislature OF Virginia, and five years thereafter was
placed IN Congress. la 1896, he was elevated TO the
distinguished station of Governor Of the State OF
Virginia. the duties of whi he discharged for about
one year and half, when the Legislature selected
! him 10 fill vacancy in the Senate Of the United
States. Having served in that capacity during one
term, he was reelected, and continued IN IN Office
until a diier nee of opinion arose between Genera
Jackson aud himself, on some measures of public
policy when being instructed by the Legislature O
Virginia to vote IN their favor, he resigned his seal
and went into voluntary retirement In the various
stations thus briefly alluded to, Mr.. Tyers talent.
and Judgment were called into fir, quen exercise and
his speeches and written addresses are marked ly
iorcbe and brilliant conceptions clothed in language
! oil great beauty and purity.
The Wing Convention which assembled al Harris
burg, in the State OF Pennsylvania selected HIM a.
their candidate for Vice President to which Office h,
was elected in the autumn of 1910. Up to this pc
Rod the influence OF MIR Jyier's views was neces
sarlly limited 10 a comparatively crcumscribed sphere
placed hIm on an eminence where the exercise Of
The legitimate functions OF hIs station involved the
most momentous nsequences TO the well-being oil
the whole nation.
fiusneI WIN success, the Wing party anticipated
no obstacle to the complete triumph of those fayrr,
schemes, WHICH, o~eyer velied from the public eye
during The presidential canvass. were moi the lee.
cherished by he Federal phaaux throughout an the
phases of their ever shifting career kT,hrne to the
possession OF place and pow er with an appc,e who
ted BY the protracted ruggle which had preceded
victory, the wire pullers found themselves unexpect.
edly checked by The decision and trmness Of an in
dividual elevated by themselves AID here il be-
comes US to pause aud review the position of the En-
| ecatlve at the important crisis
haVing Tor long period occupied stations o pub
tic trust which rendered necessary the promugauon
OF ms sentiments on the most grave and weighy sub
lects connected Ia our p9l,t,co institui,o9s h.
found himself surrounded by influences the most hos
tile TO his pre- conceived and frequently declared
principles, and was left the alternative oil abaudon.