The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-07-16
THE DAILY UNION

been unbroken, and We had conceded in political
principles As to the tariff, the remuneration of
Texas, the presumption system, and the reduction
and graduation Of the price of the public lands in
favor of settlers and cultivutors, we had cordially
united in opinion and action. The grant 81 the i've
percent. fund and Chickasaw school-lands, and Of
the two-per-cent. fund TO aid in constructing the
great railroad from the Atlantic to the Mississippi
at Vicksburg the cession Of alternate sections Of
land TO improve the navigation Of Pearl river the
inundated lands 20 complete the levee from our
northern boundary 10 the mouth Of the Yazoo, the
appropriations to survey our gull eonst, and locate
the hospital at Natcbez-all Of which measures had
been introduced by me, and nearly all which had
become laws-had received the cordial and efficient
support of Mr. Thompson. In the trying crisis
which preceded the Baltimore convention, and the
votes throughout in that body, Mr.. Thompson and
myself had acted in perfect unison, and no man ex.
erted himself more warmly and efficiently to place
me in my present position, az Secretary Of the
Treasury. How, then, could hostility TO him---one
of my warmest friends--have induced me to with
hold the commission and what other motive could
have influenced me, than an earnest desire not TO
violate confidential trust, reposed In by the
ecuve Of the Slater Morris there any man, friend or
foe, to whom, under similar circumstances, would
have delivered the commission.
When the commission was handed to me on the
9TH Of March, and my decision made and placed
beyond recall against the delivery, IL was my firm
conviction that the Senate would certainly adjourn
on or before the l0lh, until after which Mr.
Thompson could not take his seat under the com
mission. There was nothing on which IL was
supposed the Senate would have 10 act, except
the executive nominations. The Zoll-Verein treaty
was not 10 be acted on until December; and no
vote was to be, was taken upon it, at the cx-
ecutive session. After months Of toll and vigilance
on my part, the Texas question had passed both
houses Of Congress, and could require no action on
the part the Senate and twas determined to post
pone until December the election Of printer to the
Senate; SO that nothing remained but the executive
nominations, which no one believed could detain
the Senate beyond the 10th. Ii il true the Senate
did sit a few days longer, produced by most UNI
expected opposition TO of the executive nomlna-
tons, resulting in an adjournment of the Senate
from the 9th to the 10Th, which, together with the
subsequent death Of senator, occasioning another
adjournment, did prolong the session of the Senate
a few days beyond the 10Th. But when my decision
was made on the 9Th, did consider it certain that
the Senate would adjourn on or before the l0th and
consequently, as MIR. Thompsons commission did
not take effect until after that date, that he could
not take his seat at the executive session. Such
was my firm conviction when l acted the 5th;
and such would have been the result but for occur
rences which no human foresight could anticipate.
trust, In conclusion, that the democracy of Mis-
sisspp will in my whole course on this subject
nothing but an ardent desire to have provision made
| to meet a contingency which might have resulted
without my Intervention, in defeat of the demo-
cratic party upon question of great importance in
its political results; and whatever errors of udg.
ment others, judging after the fact may think they
observe in my conduct, cannot but believe that all
impartial men must perceive that my motives were
| pure and honorable.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
r. ]. WALKER.
Amid the attacks which the Secretary of the
Treasury is doomed to receive i. is very agreeable
to see that there other persons and other presses
who know how to do him justce among which
is "The Salem Advertiser" from whose columns Of
the 9th inst, we extract the following handsome
compliment to the merits Of Mr.. Walker:
| HON. ROBERT j. WALKER
The administration of the Secretary the Treasury thu,
far has been than satisfactory to the democracy Of the
Union To strong mind and indeatgabe research are
combined quick perception sound judgment, and get
ic action inexperienced as executive officer, he ha
evnced degree OF skill in the management Of the deta
OF of the most difficult departments in the government
which reflects the highest credit upon his talents and
city There IS perhaps no department where much
and discretion to be used In this; vet we hear
complaints defacations suspension Of public works
unsatsed demands which due and for which appro
bursed with much punctualy though they thou
sands II Mr. Walker thus continues in his successful
reer he will eventually leave the department with les
reputation fnancier than did Hamilton, Geatin o.
Il
when he entered Congress; yet him rising with
aordnary apdty to the first rank of statesmen and speak
ers In debate he strong but respectfully unfair
discoureous his adverary but when assaulted he
pels the assault in heightened and manly spirit In hi
senatorial he frequently In conflict with thu
fiery eloquence crenden; the strong and energetic
ton fangum the whitening and oyerbearng denuncato,
Of Clay and the cold indifference OF Websterall Of whom
he met If not riumrhantly with equal He
Of those who seized the sophsty oan opponent
but gasped the strong points and overthrow them seeking
show their error by fair and manly argument Upon al
the great questions he expressed his opinions freely ant
frankly doing his duty faithfully both to his constituent
and his country. t s
If Robert Walker had done nothing else to endear hin
to his counhymen there one effort Of which he
statesman might be proudand that the effort he mad
in favor of the annexation OF Texas. of this glorious
measure Robert Walker may be said TO be the father
and he has the proud satisfaction Of seeing the mag
nfcen enterprise prosecuted to grand contamination
with the consent and appreciation OF large majority of hi
ellow-countrymen Such triumph has seldom fallen tc
the lot Of upon as the project was
with the Indifference opposition of both the great poi
cal partes yet he, with zeal and which
could not be subdued against every obstacle pushed on
victory this IL for other service ne has done, III
merits the hirhast honors the republic can bestow.