Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1844-06-20

Poot iSd uliiHS, ~. tilC
complicated state of the finances, and
amid the pressing exigencrs Of the
war, all the resources of judgment and
talent for which he had been already
distinguished, but which he was now
destined 20 display through a brilliant
administration ftwo years, under cir
cumstances and in a manner that Sc
cured for him yet larger share Of the
applause and confidence Of the people
of the United States. His son remain
ed with hlie for time at Washington,
10 assist him in the arduous duties of
the treasury, and then returned to Phil
adelphia, toresume, or rather to com
mence, the actual practice Of his pro-
fession-an event that was almost i'm
mediately followed by his marriage with
an accomplished lady, the daughter of
Mr.. Nicklin, an eminent merchant of
that city.
The death ofhis father, which occur
red shortly after he retired from the adj
lministration of the Treasury Depart
ment, took from Mr.. Dallas, in the out
set of his career at the bar, not merely
the benefit of professional assistance
seldom equalled, but those kind and
endearing associations which could
have grown up only IN intercourse with
one whose genius was not more bril-.
liant than lis affections were warm.
Self-dependent, however, he applied
himself with the more ardor to the
practice of the law; and being appoin-
ted, in 1877, the deputy of the Attor-
ney General in the city Of Philadelphia,
he soon gave evidence of that skill in
conducting criminal cases which has
since always distinguished his occa-
sional attention to that branch of his
profession. When, in the following
year, charges were introduced, ito the
assembly Of Pennsylvania against Gov
ernor Findlay, which resulted in a le-
gislation, Mr.. Dallas acted as his coun-
sci, and the firmness and ability which
he displayed throughout the whole pro-
ceeding, placed him at once, by gener-
al consent, In rank in lis profession
that has seldom been attained by SO
young an advocate.
1t is scarcely necessary to remark,
that the exigencies of legal life could
not withdraw Mr.. Dallas from the
peepest interest in political topics
Deriving, from the conduct and coun-
sells Of his father, and from the associa-
ton OF his earliest youth, as well as
those of later years, strong attach
ment to the principles and views of the
democratic party; he. had never failed
to cooperate with his fellow citizens
in the measures which were calculated
TO advance them. The more tranquil
administration of Mr.. Monroe, sue
ceeding to the fierce political conflicts
which existed during the war with
England, did not present many ques-
tons that rallied party controversies on
rational affairs /; but the election of
Governor Hester in Pennsylvania had
brought the federal party into power in
that State, after long period of dem
ocratic ascendency; and no one en-
barked with more zeal than Mr.. Dali
las in endeavoring to effect the restora-
ton Of the policy which he believed to
be essential to sound and Just ad-
ministration of the affairs Of the Com
monwealtk. These efforts resulted in
the triumphant reelection of Governor
Shuttle, the candidate ofthe democrat
ic party.
But while unan1imliity, followed by
success, thus attended the course OF
his political associates in the State,
the elements of division among the
democracy of the Union began to be
apparent in regard to the individual
who was to succeed Mr.. Monroe
Early personal associations, as we'll as
Just appreciation of his distinguished
talents, had led Mr.. Dallas to unite
with large portion Of his political
friends in Pennsylvania in a desire
that the vote of the State should be
given to Mr.. Calhoun; and the success
with which that statesman had con
Quoted the administration OF the War
Department for the eight previous years
seemed to give a certain pledge, not
outstanding his comparative youth,
of the ability he would display in any
executive office to which the voice Of
his countrymen, should call him
When, however, the general sentiment
of the republican party throughout the
Union expressed a desire to confer on
the venerable patriot who had so long
and so faithfully maintained Their prlln-
ciples in various posts OF civil trust,
and SO brilliantly augmented the glory