Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1844-07-04
George VI. Dallas. the DCmrcrItc
ClnaiIuic for Wee II idcHf

George VI. Dalla, was bora in the city of Phll-
dclphia, on the 10Th If July, 1872, aud Is con>c-
gueufly now - year # age. lis father Alexander
Jane, Dala. was a distinguished advocate and
statesman Of the Republ can school, and hS son
imb.bcd the principle. # Democratic liberty from a
fun:a n whore they existed IN tier purity.
At tic age # Thirteen hc wa placcd in Princeton
College, IN Ncw Jersey and graduated IN Isle, t1ur
years after with the highest honor- Of hS CHS. lie
studied law ~ the Office Of his fthcr, where lie made
hmself thorough master # il, great prime ple-, but
nj tho SANE time. took care % cultivate h. taste for
elegant teriturc, for which lie la, always possessed
n Pccul ar fJndne,>.
But before he was admitted to the bar, in 1913,
the tocsin f war was sounded, and the country was
called to arm IN defence # those Liberties which had
been acqu red with - much sacrifice and blood in our
revolutionary struggle. Mr.. DalliS was then 20
yea : of age. and Immediately enrolled himself with
a company of volunteers; but before he was called
in.o active service, he accepted a place under Mr..
Gallltn who had been appointed by President Madison
To- ncgot ate "A peace with England, through the medi-
alton of Alexander of Russia, and IN lSl3 repaired
to ~. PeterSburgh, a private and confidential sccre-
tary 10 our minister.
In 1911 lac returned to the United States with
important dlspatchc, re ,pccting tie progress Of the
negotiation, abroad, and spent some time IN assisting
his fither, who had. during hiS absence, been Fl1ccd
at the head Of the treasury. Return no t. Philadel-
phIa he married a lady of rare accom- %>hment~. the
dlughtcr e Mr.. Nicksin, a merchant, and entered
Immediately on an extensive practice. lis conncc-
ton with political affair, during the quiet admins
tration Ct Mr.. Monroe, was mostly local, but aS tie
term If the adm III STRAIT on drew to IT. close he was
found among the advocates Of Mr. Calhoun. though
lac SON gave way t. the prevail ng feeling Cf his
party IN f1vor Of Gen. Jackson. for whom the State
Of Pennsylvania cast her vote by a majority of over
thirty thousand.
Tn To thls contest Mr.. Clay Lad the full confd nee
Of the Democratic party, but his political bargain
with MIR. Adams, by which he was To he made
Secretary of Safe under the condition that the votes
of his friends IN the House. (wherc the elect ON had
been carried in consequence e a failure ON the part
If the PEOPLE 10 elect should be east FIR Mr.. Adams,
he ~ the confidence of his party. and Mr. Dallas
took n decided Part against him and his patron, and
IN the election of ISIS. Gen. Jackson carried the
State of Pennsylvania 10y a majority of 1n.Ooo.
Meantime Mr.. Dallas had been elected Mayor Of
Phlladelrhia. an office which has been seldom be-
slowed on any one protesting the principles Of the
Democratic party. On the access on Il zen. Jackson
To power lac was made District Attorney. a post which
he was well adapted T. I'LL, and where he had an
opportunity To display that brIl.ancy of oratory,
power of lgic and deep research winch distinguish
his high professional Efforts.
In 1881 he was placed by his native State IN that
august body over which. as Vice President. he WI
be- called To preside. lie was. however. only elected
to till a vacancy and his term was too brief To carry
hum INTO the stormc>t part of Gen. Jacksons admin
IstratIun.
Ills term expired in March ls33 and he declined
being n cand date before the Legislature for another
term. lie was ur>irul~ 10 return 10 III lIpfN~Nl
which was more %congcnal Ia his tastes, and wa
immediately selected by Gov. Wolf a the Attorney
General 81 the State IL Penn ylyanIa, which he held
down to the unfjrtunatc DIVISION which caused ,h'
asccndancy Of the FcdcralI>ts III the election q
Rttncr.
lie had scarcely retired from his public employ
mcnt, when he was with other leading members q
the Democratic party. summoned to- iiarri>hurgh d,
an inuulstoral power con ,tl,u;cd by the new admin
i~iration. with authority TO inquire into the conduc
= A. .. -. - - - ,.I,.I a.. hnI bNg o. ptpnh,F
lie at once refused Ia take the oath which they ten
dcrcd HIM., aud in n ma>tcrly speech - land bare tu
tyranny. injustice and outrage of these high handle
prucc, d.ngs a. to put a check ON Their operation
and 10 brng them To a most disrcputablc and aboftiN
end.
About the same time were started the diSgracoit
proceed ngs which ended IN the corrupt rc-clartcr ,
tine t.. ). Bunk by the State Legislature. Agin'
this proceeding MIR. Dallas set h> face IN the m1>
determined manner. and succeeded IN arou>.ng IT.
indgnuIon of the whole country. The Bank wa
rc-chartcrcd. but ~ subsequent history has been sue
n deeply painful illustration Il the pcridy. ba>cnc>'
aud deep abiding corruption ,f the Wings ON ON
SIDE. and the >agac.ty and sound poicy whicii VI
Dallas advocated on the other, that :" lac who runs ma
read"
Subsequently Mr.. Dallas took advantage Of I'll
assembling Il the State Convention fr framing
new con>t tuition. L. urge the Importance 81 son
acton that would shield the commun.ty from tho'
frauds aud corrupt practices which hc saw were 80
Ia scatter tier tantful mtcncc> over the State. /
called 10 the consideration 81 the STATE. IN an ah
and eloquent letter. the ~prorrieiy Of examining IN
the fraud, that had been perrcta'cd, and rel.cVl
the cummonw calth. by an ed Ct Ct that body. from q
fraudulent inva>Ion> 81 It's gifts. due care Del
taken 10 protect and indemnify individuals concerns
an the in,tltut. on from any pecunsary loss.
A. soon as MIR. Van Buren, came into power,
1877, Mr.. Dallas fece.vcd the appointment 81 EnV
Extraord nary and Minister Plenl potcnt.a 10 ku>>i
where he renamed til October. l>;9. IN charge
the interests If the United States, which he watch
with the same vigilance abroad n nj home. TN !
return n seat was offered HIM IN the Cabinet
Washington. bat he preferred the more quiet duti
Of his profession. An article IN the Democrat
Review. written IN l>i2. and from which We Ia
drawn the principal part of these facts. says:
=. In personal appearance and department.. few IN
blend more simplicity and dignity and a a pub
speaker his manner j. s~lngusrly rre?o>Se>>r
Though not hasiy or unusually RAPID. his lave
imag nation and success in happy illustration give
his speeches. even when least pTclned .taied,
attractive variety. aptneS> and ease. and make h
one a the most fortunate 81 orators IN occasion
addresses 10 popular bod g.. a. hc has been one
the most successful IN scenes requ ring the high
talents for debate. To the confidence repo>ed IN hl
founded IN his adherence. from earle I youth. 10
accented drirines Of the Republican party on ev'
great national question. be add a br llancy
genus: n sYotle>s personal Life. and qualt -
calculated To v n the affection and regard "i an "
whom he = called INTO ASSOCIATION. that hI> nal
State placing Inn a She does IN the highest claS'
Lcr fayrr tc sons. " II scarcely consent that the r
wear, e hrs If, shall b. withdrawn altogether Il
her service. and that Of the people Of the III
states. Adjoining and filing. n he would "
- H. fnI