The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-09-01

Hon. William ID merricks
The subject Of this sketch was born in the ancient
city of Annapolis In Maryland in 1884, and Is therefore
at the present time So years age His father died
while he was yet an infant, and his mother only sur.
vived few years plant in the heart Of her child the
principles of virtue and integrity that have since
for him envabls distinction in the council halls of
our nation. After his mothers death, the patrimony
left him by his father (who lawyer Of distnction
passed into the hands Of distant rest guardian
who unfortunately for his ward cared for the in
Of his estate than securing him that best of all
earthly heritage, good education. Yet the perian
spring Of knowledge thirst was not to be
quenched by stubborn refusal the TT Of his legal
protector to furnish the means Of gratifying It, and by
prompt appeal to the Orphans Court Of the county In
which he resided praying that his funds might be SO
expended for the purpose of his education he found
not only his prayer immediately granted the kndest
expressions Of the court in commentator of his
He after entered Georgetown College, D. c. where
he gained envable distinction winning the first hon.
Of his classes We next find him studying law, Of
which he obtained thorough knowledge, and which he
left when soil invaded during the late war
with England BY Q foreign foe.
Of Sd Lieutenant In the So III REGIMENT Of u infantry
being at the time only eighteen years of age and with
out the consent of friend at home the aid of letter
Of introduction-he served till the close Of the war,
which found him LIST Lieutenant and Adjutant Of HI
regiment and general favorite and bore himself with
the two campaigns.
At the reduction of the army in 1915, when peace
commissions 81. were eagerly sought ne respectfully de-
after the board Of general officers had conferred
him the fatt.ring tribute OF selecting him from the Ma
rylahd regiments one OF the favored few. He now
commenced the study and practice Of law, which
he successfully pursued, until in 1892 when he entered
political life as member Of the legislature of the State
Maryland Here he became Q warm advocate Of the IL
ber and enlightened system Of internal improvements
overcoming by his eoqusnoe and dssipatng by his ar
thau had hack In
this noble cause, and which had welnigh permitted
loss Of the many admirable natural advantages that she
possessed for trade and commerce. that would render
her rich great and powerful to be transferred to her
vigsut and enterprizng neighbors Of the north
seldom surpsssed need it be said, that like Clinton
Of New York. bis views have been than realized by
| the citizens of his native State
In January 1885, he elected to the Senate Of the
United States In which exalted assembly he again dis
played the same intelligence and devotion to country
and the habits Of patient industry that have
characterized him. and soon his influence became most
decided In that august body.
| After several years service he re elected
| and, In lS42, appointed Chairman Of the
committee Post OGices and Post Roads. Here new
field was opened for mis- talents The interest," the
venisnce and the happiness Of great people
required thorough reform In this branch OF the public
The pecunary interest and selfish ends OF tn
and In poo. Offices against the cheap postage re
FORM from the Postmaster General to the village deputy
Like Rowland Hill, did he first commence, single hand
riotism did he three years battle in spirited oonfc
the State legislatures and rou:ng of the to thu
immense Importance Of the subject, was 1t ultimately
crowned with success in March, lS45 The result ha
been felt upon every hearth-stons of broadly
| tended land that knowledge, the breathings o.
cuate, mpaned by an unjust taxation and fol
are people indebted to the unweared abors OF Senator
Msrrick.
Yet another important event occurred, upon which
he called upon to act before he could conscien-
tiousy retire TO the sweets Of private fs for which he
ardsnty sighed, and which he had many months before
| constituents
question Of the Of Texas presented to
Congress for decision and after having passed the
House Representatives. before the Senate fol
its and found that body divided in IT.
opinion that single vote had power to decide its fate
The whig party, to which MIR M attached. opposed
it uniedy, and 1t the most easy and natural for
him to go with them leaving the consequences to those
immediately responsible for the measure but sucf
course though facie and inviting, could satisfy
his patriot heart and statesman views tor deeI
the issus~se uesce of our southern fronssr-ths ex
tension Of domestic preservation Of
just balance of powerthe prosperity Of our fellow
der such circumstances hesitate, but rising with thu
momentous Importance of tho occasion, he threw asid
all party trammsis with the of the Roman
hero in his bosom
Not that love Cesar less, but Rome more"
Did he give that immortal casting vote which added thu
star glorious Constitution, thereby PLACING
the prosperity OF both countries upon firm and endur
ing basis.
Since then he has retired to his plantation where HI
and rural duties az an humble cutivator Of the soil
The portrait accompanying this sketch is admirab,
illustrative of Its original who Is about the medium
height, frsily made but with a keen, expressive eye
and massive forehead-that good phrenelogist wou
say at once, that high moral courage ii
the keeping of Its possessor. Whether view him II
the light Of scholar, soldier, statesman citizen
find the same noble traits OF character not on
closely attaching him TO his friends, but commanding
universal respect of his enemies With the pstro-
Of Jackson did he leave his law Office for the
his brief for the sword and, the vars
contented returned TO it again With the Zeal ofa Gin
ton did he advocate judicious system Of internal i'm
provements, left 1t until his hopes thai
realized And like Rowland Hill has he the triumph
of the cheap postage system comforting blessings up0
Millions after all these conquests or the mind, like
Cncinnatus of DID, has he returned cheerful and happy
| to his plongh
| The Fine Artss
PORTRAIT OF Ex-MAYoR MIcxLE-We noticed, yes
terday, in lookingglass and pctureframs store, In
Broadway Leonard street. the portrait Of Andrew
H. Mickie Esq the Ex-Mazor, executed In the frs