The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-05-12
THE SECRETARY OF WAR-THE PORTER
FAMILY

A Washington correspondent Of the Boston Times
says that few persons have earlier gained deserved
popularity ia official station than the new Secretary
of War gentleman of " much suavity Of man
ner an officer of great knowledge Of details, and Of
comprehensive talents, he is alike agreeable q
companion, and popular and efficient as public
servant An anecdote which he related few days
since at dinner table, to few friends, illustrates
not only the rise Of family remarkable for its tai
ent but the peculiar influence Of our fortunate ins
tutions upon the genius and destinies of individual
CITIZENS.
''It is now,n said he, " thirty years ago, or more
since three young men, Of about the same years
stopped towards the close Of an evening, with then
team, at country inn, the city Of Philadelphia
They encountered there the gay young bucks from
that gay city who in their conversation and from then
manners seemed to look down u, on the plain but
hardy farmer boys, in their homespun clothes and
cowhde boots. The arstocracy of wealth, as il is
the most unreasonable it is the most ntolerable
of all
There was pretty, gentee, graceful girl there, a
daughter of the landlord-iDtelligent, modest, and
possessing that dignity OF conduct which moral purity,
combined with good sense, ever conlers. To our
travellers from the country she was attentive, and
considerable for their comiort-contributing that at
tentive care which a female only knows how to rem
der at delicate and attractive.
II might have been the vanity of our young rustics,
but they thought they found more favor IN the eyes
of the comely maiden lthan the Haunting jewellers
from the city, in their fashionable garments, with
their gold watch chains and high4heeled boots and
can tell you, my friend that they do little justice
after ALL the farer SEX who hold that their hearts
TO be won by gorgeous outside, irrespective of
character or substantial qualifications At least
those of the easily won, may be as lightly lost
and without much regret either.
The young bucks, their frolic over, returned to
the city to follow the unsatisfactory pleasures of dis
sipation. The farmer boys disposed Of the product
Of their labor and also returned TO their avocatlons
said that II was thirty years ago; within such
number of years. the progress Of time may produce
strange ycisstudes of fortune. The wheel Of for
tune - says that of admirable apothegms San.
cho Panza, "turns round swifter than a cart-whee :
and he who Is up to-day may be down tomorrow"
NV story confirms the wisdom of his observation.
As far as have had means of ascertaning the
fate Of the roues who were enjoying their brief
hour so called pleasure, al the inn, and on the
ing referred to, the end of their has justified
its commencement--a have lost fortune, or health,
or rep tation-some perhaps all.
OF The three farmer boys, of whom my story
max S MENTION one has been Governor Of the State
of Michigan, one is now Governor Of Pennsylvania,
and the other gentleman is Secretary of War. And
the young lady, the heroine of the narrative, became
the wife of one of the Governors.
Gentlemen, | have told my story; what other
charms it may want, 1T possesses that OF truth