Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1847-11-09

From the Ame1-ican ReoieU.
THOMAS CORWIIJ.

o.nno, fail 10 command our admiration
and confidence. This is especially true
in these days Of compromise and scryllity
u IA the claims Of party: for where much
Is lost, at least intemporary consc-
nuence, by standing out against such
doubtful. the highest personal virtue is ne
ccssary to resist and overcome the temp
tations of personal interestto yield To them.
These remarks are illustrated in the pres
sent position and character of TnoMAs
CogwIN His course in relation TO the
War with Mexico has marked him before
the nation and the world. He has dared
10 think as his conscience babe him-to
think and speak boldly what he thought.
His enemies may denouncc him as a tgai-
tor and his friends reproach him for inn
p-rjencc; but thnkingmcn Of the present
times cannot but honor his manly indie
pendence, as postcritv will assuredly com
mend the virtue that is displayed in it
II is natural for the country TO wish 10
know something Of the history and charac-
ter Of such a man. This it is proposed
briefly to give.
Thomas CoRwIN was born in Bourbon
county, Kentucky, July %, 1874 At the
age Of four years. he was made IA perma-
ncnt resident of Ohio, bv the removal Of
his parent. to Warren county, in that State,
in tho
years, was one ofthc most respectable and
honorcd men of Ohio. For long time a
member Of the legislature Of the State, he
was distinguished for the dignity and inn
partiality with which he presided, for Sc
vcral years over lis upper branch. The
son was and is worthy of the father. The
early pursuits Of the former were of the
humber kind; suited to- position entirely
unprelending, and admirably calculated.
under the influence OF the consistent pres
encc Of a virtuous example, 10 establish
in the early character, the foundations ot'
the highest future usefulness. As might
be supposed, from the influence of such
early associations, instantly acting upon a
strong and sensitive mind, it is not sur
prisng that uncompromisine firnness. and
integrity Of character. should every where
be associated with his name. among the
companionships and ncighborhoods of his
early life.
The community in which he was cduca-
ted. and where are to be found his warncst
friends, because there he is best known.
were not less sensible Of his talents than
of his virtues. His mind was early ac-
customed to habits of Thought; and thus fit
ted him, at an early day, to exert a dcci-
ded influence upon those around him in
concerns of general public interest. 1t
may be said of him. as Of but few others
comparatively speaking, that he was groun-
dcd and formed in the principles calcula-
ted TO render public man cmincntly use
ml. before he becomes one. Instead of
waiting for public life to teach him lessons,
he thoroughly learned, in private life, what
could not fail to fit him for a public one
This learning in him was associated with .
uniform and unfolding adherence to
abstract truth; and therefore. doubtless i;
Is. that in public career of some twenty
two or three years. he has always been on
the same side of prmciple. whenever, in
occasional issues with political friends. il
has been supposed 10 be in conflict with
erpediency. Such a charactcrin Mr. Cor
win made him an early object of attention
10 people ofhis neighborhood, is happily
destined TO do credit TO a political career;
and he had passed but a short period the
constitutional age of eligibility. when he
was elected 10 the House of Representa-
lives of Ohio
lis career, as representative in the
State legislature. though short. was char
acterized by the marks Of independence up
rightness. and cloquencc which have given
INN So much distinction since Those
who knew him intimately twenty wears ago.
express no surprise at his course on the
Mexican question AT die last session of
Congress. Nor were they >urp t,.s
that course was indicated by an eli
argument ana eloquence such as the Coun-
try or the world >las rarely Witnessed
On a smaller theatre, the same sort of
power. both moral and intellectual. had
been seen before. and with something of
the same effort: for. If we remember right
ly.hls high tone in vindication OF great
and cardinal abstract right. in the lcgisla-
ture OF the State placed him for a short
season in sort of cloud with the friends
with whom he generally acted But his
election 10 Congress. short time after.
showed that the cloud was only passing
one; and that he was all the stronger with
discriminating people: that he had dared.
IN the honest conviction that he " a. night.
y brave the ordeal Of a temporary oppoS-