The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-06-21
VOLUME /. NUMBER II.
wooDsFIELD OHIO, FRIDAY,


father. and from the associations Of his earliest
youth, as well as those Of later years, strong
attachment to the principles and views Of the
democratic party, he had never failed to co-ope-
rate with his fellow citizens in the measures which
were calculated to advance them. The more
tranquil administration of Mr.. Monroe, succeeding
to the fierce political connict:which existed during
the war with England, did not present many ques-
tons that rallied party controversy on national
affairs; but the election of Governor Hester in
Pennsylvania had brought the federal party into
power in that State after long period of demo-
cratic ascendency; and no one embarked with
more zeal than did Mr.. Dallas in endeavoring to
effect the restoration Of the policy which he be-
leved to be essential to a sound and just admins
tration of the affairs of the commonwealth. These
efforts resulted in the triumphant reelection of
Gov. Shuttle, the candidate, Of the democratic
party.
But while unanimity, followed by success, thus
attended the course of his political associates in
the State, the elements vf division among the
democracy Of the Union began 'to,he apparent M
regard to the individual who should succeed Mr..
Monroe. Early personal associations, as well as
just appreciation of his distinguished talents, had
led Mrl Dallas to unite with large portion of his
political friends in Pennsylvania in desire that
the vote of the State should be given to Mr.. Cal
houn; and the success with which that statesman
thad conducted the administration OF the war de-
parment for the, eight previous years seemed to
give certain pledge notwithstanding his cofnpar-
ative youth, of the ability he would display in any
executive office to which the voice Of his country
men should call him. When, however, the gene
raj sentiment of the republican party Throughout.
the Union expressed desire to confer on the ven
cradle patriot who had so long aud so faithfully
maintained their principles in various posts OF
civil trust. and so brilliantly augmented the glory
of his country in the field of battle, MIR. Dallas,
with sentiments toward Gen. Jackson in which
the friends of Mr.. Calhoun in Pennsylvania at
once participated, took the lead in suggesting that
the younger candidate should be presented to the
American people for the second office, while the
united and harmonious voice of the democratic
party should name General Jackson for the presi-
dental chair. In every measure that resulted from
this determination. Mr.. Dallas bore prominent
part the eloquent address in which the democratic
convention of the State presented their reasons for
the course they had adopted, is generally under
stood to have proceeded from his pen; and when,
in November, 1924, the unusually large majority
of more than thirty thousand democratic votes
showed the enthusiastic feeling oflthe people Of
the State, there were few among them whose zeal
had been more honorabiy and actively displayed
: than his in producing that gratifying result.
, The echoice of the house Of representatives hav-
ing given the presidency to Mr.. Adams,th sue
ceeding four years only contributed to create the
| yet stronger concentration OF public 'oPinion in
favor of Gen. Jackson; and when he obtained in
1928, the suffrages of fifteen States, the majority
in Pennsylvania had been increased beyond fifty
thousand. 1t was during this. Interval, that Mr.
Dallas received from the people of his native city
an honorable mark of their confidence by an elec-
ton to the mayoralty-an Office which, for many
pears past, has in consequence Of the usual ascen-
dencyo of the federal party, been seldom bestowed
upon person ,oi his political opinions On the
election Of General Jackson, he was selected by
him as the chief representative OF the executive
government of the, Union in the same city, by
being appointed to the office of district attorney
of the United States. To the same post his father
had been appointed by Mr. Jefferson, through the
whole Of whose administration he continued to fill
it, and from that offsce Mr. Madison called him to
the head Of the treasury. His son occupied that
post for much shorter period; but in the two years
during which he discharged its duties, several cases
of considerable magnitude gave full scope to his
abilities and contributed their share to his reputa
ton as aprossssianal man. which eachEear contin-
ued to augment.
At length, in the year 1881, vacancy having
occurred in the representation from Pennsylvania
in the Senate ofthe United States!the Legislature
. selected Mr.. Dallas to fill that honorable post
Thus, in entering for the first time q legislative
body, be found himself in. the highest and most
important assembly tAatsxists undatthe provisions
of the American constitution. Anew field was
given to his talents as statesman and an orator.
I Having at the bar of Philadelphia few equals in
forensic eloquence, and being perhaps without
rival-certainly without superior-at home on
any OCCASION of' public and especially political dis
cussion, he was now required to match himself
with men trained by exercise as well as possessed
of distinguished ability, in a scene which forbade
the logical precision of court, and yet could
scarcely call forth or permit the animated current
of spontaneous defamation, so often successfully
indulged in the lesser assemblagea of his fellow
citizens His speeches in the Senate OF the United
States throughout the period that he remained
there, were heard with attention that gave evil
dence OF his complete SUCCESS Those that have
been more carefully reported, display on variety
Of topics, striking POLITICAL viewsi and they abound
with passages Of animated eloquence- : 9he most
interesting subject OF general discussion was that
which made the winters Of 1882 and 1888 more
memerabse in our Legislative history than any peri
cd since the war with England. The principle on