The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-03-20

to their original elements with view to their more
efficient use in composition perhaps amusing him
self amid his grayer studies by writing parody on
some popular song.
The great and leading trait in his character is, that
whatever he does, he does well and efficiently AS
lawyer he is said to be one of the most laborous
pains taking drudges that ever lived sparing neither
time labor nor pains to make his declarations and
pleas faultess, or in framing the conditions of spe-
cial trust with legal precision and exactness, to
provide for all possible contingencies. AS an advo-
cate IN the conduct Of cause wary and cautious,
never taken by surprise and seldom thrown off his
guard, always ready to seize hold take advantage
OF any omission IN his adversaries case, and bringing
every thing that legal research professional inge-
nuty can accomplish, to aid his own side. 1t is said
that he never came into court unprepared and yet no
man has ever pursued the law successfully, who had
more projects on hand uncOnnected with his profess
sion
He has been manufacturer an extensive farmer,
an active politician, and all the while lawyer in
full practice.
In his writings he is strong and vigorous in style,
rarely using trope figure but always strongly ar
gumentaive and forcible. In public speaking he
adds, TO fine figure and strong voice, command OF
language and power OF argument that lnsures the
rveted attention of his audience He is perhaps, at
this day, the strongest jury lawyer in Pennsylvania,
and the number Of yerdcts he in the habit Of gain
ing for his clients, is the best evidence of the esma-
ton in which he is held by thu, community. AS a
speaker, he is exceedingly interesting and popular.
He is rich and ready in his information, and intro
duces anecdotes with great tness to keep up the at
tentlon OF his audience to illustrate position. In
sarcasm and satire, he is almost without rival and
wo betde the poor wight who brings himself under
his LASH Yet although he may assume in tone and
manner the appearance of the utmost excitement
you will fiHd he has but been playing with the light
ming, and is really all the while perfectly cool and
collected and ready to pass to the next part Of his
subject as though nothing had previously occurred
In 1886 he was elected one of the members of the
convention to revise the Constitution of Pennsylva
MIA, from the district composed of Northampton and
Monroe, and was the'Gandidate of the Democratic
party for Presidency of that body in opposition to
John Sergeant, Esq Mr.. Sergeant succeeded by
majority of two votes; these two gentlemen, though
differing IN policswere personal friends, and always
treated each other With that urbanity which charac
terlzes gentlemen in their intercourse with
Their. MIR. Sergeant having been elected member
OF Congress, was necessarily absent considerable
portion of his time from the deliberations of the
yentlon When SO absent he generally called MIR.
Porter to the chair President pro tempore, in
which capacity he ofciated nearly onethird of the
dme that body was in session AS presiding officer
he was frm and resolute, disposing Of the business
with great despatch and with fearless intrepidity.-
As member on the floor he was an active debater.
Although he spoke often, he was always heard with
pleasure ne gave light to the subject under dis
cussion, and was never tedious or pressing. He
er commenced personal attack on any member, and
no man ever made one on him who did not come off
second best in the encounter He chairman of
the committee on the ninth article hc Bill of Rights
and made several able reports. His speech on the
SUBJECT OF corporate powers, and the right repeal
charters OF incorporation, is justly considered of
the most able and argumentative delivered in that
body and exhibits degree of research that is in
perfect keeping with the character Of the man.
In July, 1889, he was appointed President Judge
of the Twelfth Judicial District of Pennsy vania
which situation he held for about one year. and then
resigned and returned to the bar The peo lie of the
district regretted his leaving the bench much. His
sound law knowledge, his long experience, his know
ledge Of the German language, his prompness in the
despatch OF business and his careful regard for sound
morals had completely neutralized all the opposition
which his political opponents had endeavored to get
up against him at hls first appointment, and which
had led to his confirmation in the Senate by strict
ly party vote. There was popular Judge
in Pennsylvania, and certainly never was one more
deservedly So when he resigned.
In politics, Colonel Porter has always been sound
practical Democratic Republican. ALWAYS decided
but never ultra marking out his course of conduct
and then with Roman hrmness pursuing it straight
ahead without regard TO the fault found by either
protesting friclds open foes He pins his faith on
no mans sleeve, but has mind Of his own for every
thing. His IS That hrmness add decision Of character
that lever degenerate into stubbornness.
He is still Of an ardent temperament Honest and
fearless-he dislikes dupcity, and has no patience
with meanncss and double dealing. The most plaza
BILE man in the world when approached in good feel
ing, and perfectly open TO conviction when addressed
by reason lie knows not what fear is, and will brook
nothing like premeditaed insult. That will instant
ly, has been said Of his bonored father arouse all
the appalling energies of his character" In his
friendship he IS warm, gentle and sincere, and al
though liable TO be excited by injurious treatment
his emotion IS but temporary and he bears neither
malice nor ill.will to any human being.
He is a man of pure moras-of unbending inte
gritty, and has been for many years a member in full
standing with the Presbyterian Church.
In the situation Of Secretary of War, which he now
fills, he will enter upon more extended field Of ac-
ton than he has hitherto occupied, and he has al
ways proved himself equal to every situation in which
he has been placed his friends feel assured that in it
he will add to his welcarned reputation for talents
integrity and industry, and rank among the ablest of
the able men who have filled that Department Of the
Government.