The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-07-14

Of many friends, no less than foes; he sustained
orce-bils against the voices of States most devoted
TO his election he stranged formidable coalitions,
and foiled or crushed, with unsurpassed frmness,
the worst political panics, and the most monopo-
lining combinations.
In all these struggles Of civil life much higher
species Of courage is necessary than on the battle
field as no trumpet drum, cannon stirs the blood,
no standard floats in the breeze to animate the
dropping spirit; but il is moral hrmness, mar
tyrs devotion to duty, which must usually sustain,
encourage, and triumph Besides that, he had
another ally in every crisis. IL seemed almost Pc
culiar to his physical well Intellectual organi-
zation that excitement became one Of its elements,
and exeron often appeared to nvgorate rather than
weary.
A mind like his frequently serves to wear out the
body; or, like canker, to eat into the heart, and
cause premature decay. But with him it seemed a
necessary stimuant TO preserve the body, to rouse
its enfeebled fatgued forces, and keep up action
enough to continue life He hardly appeared even
to desire any more than need relaxation. Though
not insensibe to the calls and charms of social inter
course, he could scarcely be said to indulge in any
pleasures. And il is remarkable fact, that, while
on his northern tour, in the summer of 1855
when festivities, and Joy, and triumpha professions,
awaited on his progress over half the Union--he
spent many laborious hours, stolen from company,
and sleep, and sickness, in some of the most COM
pick and difficult business that ever engrossed his
public attention. II will readily be seen that no
station, near such man, was sinecure. He just
ly held that public servant owed all his time as
well energies, to the public He tolerated, as to
this, no plausible excuses or compromises, or meta
physical distinctions. While anything useful re-
manned to be done, his motto was onward onward
Though it was no holyday affair to fill Office as he
filled it, whether looking to himself those around
requiring, well practising, all the
watchfuness Of an Indian ambuscade, all the vigor,
at times, of forced march to surprise enemy all
the zeal off missionary Of the cross yet his active
temperament or military training, apparently SO in
convenient to others, was mixed up with courtesy
of manner and kindly consideration of what was
due to real infrmity; SO that in nothing was he
striking than in all the feelings of gentleman.
He had been formed in that revolutionary school of
politics which added the poiteness of the French to
the solidity Of the English, the manner of the La
fayettes and Rochambeaus to the strength and intel
ligence of the Burgoynes and Cornwallises. He
exacted nothing which he did not reciprocate he re-
speced in others all that he asked for himself and
every candid observer soon felt that however
his course may at times have seemed at FIRST yet in
the end, he carried out only that Chesterfeldian as
well as Christian injunction, to do TO others as you
tcould be done by.
Such was his ease in general society and delicate
his attentions to female excellence, that many, who
never met him elsewhere, concluded at once he was
more ola courer man of the world, than suited for
the conflicts Of camps, and parties, and affairs Of
state. But nothing was farther from truth. The
moment over, that had been demanded by social
usages or the forms of fashion, his whole soul
was in his business; and nothing personal or anus
ing could ever tempt him into the slightest neglect or
abandonment Of public duty. Never WINS he bigot-
ted or exclusive in anything. He was public spir-
tied in all; nor did any vandal spirit however i'm
puted, mark his opinions deeds, even in the
ercest ravages of war or the btterest excitements
Of politics; and however the great exigences Of pub
lie life may have forced him at times into action and
when others doubted or halted, all
his risks were for his country; all the dangers
braved were intended to protect the people and the
public safety.
That he should have been infallible in all this,
none pretend but that he meant well, and, in the
main, did well, and whole performed noble SER
vice to his country, none can deny. If err is
human, then, if the light of the sun itself be not
without some shades intermingled--can we, taking
him all in ALL be otherwise than proud of his rank
as man, soldier, and statesman Whether on
the Thames or the Ganges-under the tent of the
Arab or in marble palaces, it is distinction to be
known as one of his countrymen. Compared with
the renowned Of other ages and other continents all
America may justly boast Of him as a production
creditable to the New World. Humanity itself be-
comes dignifed, when man lives up to the height of
his powers and his destiny, Though some have
regarded him as only meteor In our horizon; vet so
far from that, he viii live as fixed star in history
one ofthe master minds of the age carefully formed
and practical in his efforts and worthy the pages oil
future Putarchs for many generations to come. The
Justice of this conclusion will strike forcbly
if we notice the contrast between his course and
that Of many inscribed high on the rolls Of past
ages; his whole life devoted to defend the liberties
Of his country, rather than like others TO break them
down. the passion of his heart to uphold rather than
to overturn its constitution and laws, friends and
power rsked to preserve unimpaired the sacred ties
Of Its union, the scepre of state relinquished, and
like the humbest citizen, retiring to his farm instead
Of striving, like many, TO usurp authority, pro-
long the pomp and pageantry of Office,
In fine, he neither enriched himself by plumber or
nor engrossed Office for his family, nor
waged moments war for ambition OF conquest
nor exercised single new power, nor betrayed an
old one nor filed station an hour but from the will
Of the people, or in conformity to the charter of
their liberties What to such man, in sterling |
worth, are the Cmsars and Napoleons and Santa
Anas Of history and what is the value of their
bad example, contrasted with the fidelity and pa
lriotism Of his, to guide the youth of all coming
ages in the cause Of public liberty and public virtue
How admirably were his qualities suited to render
him fit statesman for the stormy and responsible |
dangers of republic and how the, instinct of our
people detected, and appreciated, and honored such
parted. Who can say that such man was not
raised up by kind Providence for our national
security in peace, no less than war; and while |
! nation bedews with tears the green turf where
he sleeps, 1t is not sorrow without hope for
who can doubt that the same guardian power
which has shielded US heretofore through the
Washingtons and Jacksons, the Jeffersons and
Franklins, that crowd the bright galaxy of our
history, will raise up other worthless, and train
hem suitably to meet every peril which may mem
ace us1
Whatever may be the combinations ofciv thrones
abroad or whatever the jealousy and injustice some-
lines excited at home against those who are true to
he cause Of popular rights and free governments, as
opposed TO despotisms and monopolies and arbitrary
dominion of all kinds-the past 10 full of hope for
he future, and inspires the same confidence con-
sernng the salvation of the republic as was felt by
him about his own in the shades Of the Hermitage,
when his purified spirit bade his countrymen its
asst farewell. When, in that solemn hour all his
trophies were laid lowly at the foot of the cross,
how joyful, even more than solemn, was such
close to the great drama of his existence on earh
Hallowed by what lofty consultations! Animated
~ what near reunions to all he had loved most in
life! Sustained by what trusts on high! Grateful
% what millions, for what confidence and honors
Ckc~ II r