The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-06-21
THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEES.
From the Democratic Review, Feb. 1912,
GEORGE M. DALLAS.


on the 10th day of July 1892 He is the elder son
of Alexander ]. Dallas, one of the most accom-
plished advocates and distinguished statesmen that
have adorned the legal. profession of the United
States, sustained, in important posts OF public
trust, the principles and policy Of the republican
party. He received the rtidiments of his educa.
ton at school in Germantown, and afterwards at
the Friends .4cademy in Philadelphia. At the
age Of fourteen he was entered in Princeton Col
lege, and continued there until 1910, when he was
graduated with the highest honors Of his class.
Indeed, as public speaker, be, gave early promise
of that excellence which has since been displayed
in many of the prominent situations to which his
talents have elevated him; and published Grafton,
delivered when he was but seventeen years of age,
and preserved in the Port Folio, strikngly attests
the maturity of his powers.
On leaving college, Mr.. Dallas commenced the
study of the law in the office Of his father at Phil
adelphia; and although in the intervals Of that
severe study the more attractive forms of literature
| and poetry were not unfrequently cultivated, he
yet persevered with unceasing application inrnak-
ing himself the thorough master of the great prn-
cpies the profession of which he has since been
member. He was admitted to 'the bar in 1913.
Soon after the declaration of war with England,
he had enrolled himself in a volunteer corps; and
when; in the year 1913, Mr. Galiatn was appointed
by President Madison, member OF the commits
sion that repaired to st. Petersbnrgh, for the pur-
pose of negotiating peace under the mediation
OF tho emperor Alexander, he accompanied that
minister as his private and confidential secretary.
During residence of more than year in Europe
Mr.. Dallas had an opportunity of visiting Russia,
France, England, Holland and the Netherlands
While in England, a family connected with Lord
Byron brought him into frequent association with
that great poet. who then, at twenty-five years OF
age, was receiving in London the general and
enthusiastic admiration which the appearance OF
his two beautiful poems, the Giaour, and the Bride
of Abydos, could not fail to call FORTH 1t was in
consequence of a'remark of Mr.. Dallas, upon the
popularity in America Of Childe Harold, and some
of his previous poems that he declared in his jour
nal that these were the first things that ever sound
ed to his ears like fame; and that popularity in
far and rising country, caused tidngs very dlffe-
rent from the ephemeral praises iof the .crowd OF
fashion then buzzng around him. Through an
other relative the humane and eloquent jurist who
was then the chief justice of'the court of'common
pleas, it was Mr.. Dallas good fortune to be thrown
not unfrequently into the society of some ofthose
eminent lawyers who have, by ahe brIlancy Of
Al 40 tvh
their profession yetmore distinguished than it was
in previous days. Romilly, whose beneficence
flowed ina current SO transparent, copious and
strong; Brougham, with his far-rcaching, inquisl-
! tive, and. undaunted utlitarianism; Macintosh,
who could wisely and kindly apply to the heated
actions, and in the busy forums of men the rules
of conduct which he had deduced in the patient
reflections of a guileless life,-these were men
whose society, even trapsiently enjoyed by one
much younger, could not fail to leave impressions
equally permanent useful and gratifying
In August, 1914, Mr.. Dallas returned to the u.
States, bearing the dispatches from the American
commissioners then holding their sessions at Client,
which announced the prospects little favorable to
a speedy peace that are known have resulted from
the earlier conferences with the British ENJOYS.
On his arrival he found his father transferred from
the barof Philadelphia to the head of the treasury
departmental post requiring in the complicated
state ofthe finances, and amid the pressing exlsen-
cies 'of the war, all the resources of talent and
Judgment for which he had been already distinguish
ed, but which he was now destined to display
through brilliant administration Iof two years,
under circumstances and in manner that secured
for him larger share of the applause and conf
dence Of the people of the United States. His
son remained with him short time at Washington,
To assist hizA in the aruous duties of the treasury,
and then returned to Philadelphia, to resume, or
rather to commence the actual practice of his
proiession--an event that was almost Immediately
followed by his marriage with an accomplished
lady, the daughter Of Mr.. Nickln, an eminent
merchant Of that city.
The death Of his father, which occurred shortly
after he retired from the administration of the
treasury department. took from Mr.. Dallas in the
outset of his career at the bar not merely the bene
fit Of professional assistance seldom equalled, but
those kind and endearing associations which could
have grown iup only in intercourse with one whose
genius was not more brilliant than his affections
were warm, Selfdependent, however, he applied
himself with the more arlor to the practice Of the
law; and being. appointed in 1877 the deputy of
the Attorney General in the city of Philadelphia,
he soon gave evidence of that skill in conducting
criminal cases which has since always distinguish
ed his occasional attention to that branch of his
profession. When, in the following year, charges
were introduced into the assembly Of Pennsylva-
mia against Gov. Findlay, which resulted in
Legislative investigation, Mr., Dallas acted as his
counsel; and the 6rmness and ability which he
displayed throughout the whole proceeding, placed
him at once by general consent, in a rank in his
profession. that has seldom been attained by SO
young an advocate sial eM "a ss5
II is scarcely necessary TO remark, that the ex-