The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-10-13
THE o MON.

election He one OF those democrats who survive,
the political storm of 1910
I One OF The first acts of the new administration L
call special meeting of Congress, and Mr., Clifford
second term, therefore, embraced the first three session
of the Tyler period They were marked by discussion
OF the deepest interest, and by range OF investigation
from which scarcely any subject excluded which
had the remotest connexion with modern politics. Thu
party winch entered upon power IN lsil had been, during
ton; and hence, at the very commencement of thei
career they had only their old charges substantial
against Their opponents but had also the equally
serious TASK TO accomplish, OF ascertanng and harmon
zing their principles Their President, unequal to TIT
abors and vexaons of his Office had been hurried
The grave within month after his inauguration and the
Vlce President, who succeeded him, found to BIZ
more independent and less federal in his political
than was at all consistent with wing policy, toerablG
by wing leaders The pet project OF Mr., Clay was me
| by Ueto; the Harrison cabinet was dissolved, ant
another formed better suited to the taste OF the Pres
dent and, finally, Mr. Tyler deserted and denounced
by all except corporals guard" of those who elected
nm; SO mat the fierce contest of 1910 had resulted,
last IN creating Executive which neither party could
wholly sustain, and which assailed by party,
least, with the most bitter and unsparing anathemas
This condition OF things, unfortunate ii in many
other respects was yet favorable TO great latitude of de
BATE and led almost of necessity, to thorough examn
alton OF every prominent question OF the time Warmly
opposed to the whole of whig measures which was
then proposedhe national bank-the protective tariff
the bankrupt law-he assumption of State debts--and
the distribution OF the proceeds of the public lands-Mr
Clifford was enabled, during the twenty seventh Con-
gress, to define his views concerning them not only by
the steadiness of his votes, but by the power of his
speeches. and his reported arguments especially those
the tariff and the distribution bill, furnish the most
honorable testimony, both of the soundness of his prn-
cples and the clearness OF his mind In the great sub
ect OF commercial freedom, his interest and efforts were
always manifested with peculiar ardor, and he never
failed to wage unreentng against any other potec-
ton, as is called, of American industry, than that
which incidentally results from well arranged system
OF revenue duties. He has the gratifying honor
form part of the administration, under whose fortunate
auspices the principles for which he then contended have
| an hnpal tlxr
| lished.
Among the republicans of Maine, and of the northern
States generally, ii is not usual to return the repre-
sentative to Congress for more than two successive
terms. The wisdom of such limitation may well, per-
haps, be doubted, its effect to withdraw public
officer from service just he has become best fitted for
1t; yet the Limitation has long existed and Mr. Clifford
was excluded, under its influence, from again represent
ing his district in the House He took leave of Congress
therefore, on the Sd of March, 1913, and return
ed TO his profession in Newfeld He retired from Con-
gress with high reputation, not only for ability in de-
bate but for thorough and accurate knowledge of par
iamenary law and such was his ameny of temper and
his courteous and dgnfed bearing that notwithstand-
ing his Jealous and unfnching support of his political
opinions he was able to preserve the most cordial rea
tons with all his congressional associates, and carry
with him to his home no other than their best wishes for
his personal success.
The summer of 1913 witnessed the largest assembly OF
delegates which the republican party had ever convened
in Maine 1t met in the city of Bangor for the double
purpose OF selecting candidate for governor, and OF
choosing delegates to represent the State in the coming
semby Mr.. Clifford called to preside, and he was
subsequently efficient member of the Baltimore con
yen,on' which nominated the present Chief Magistrate
of the United States. In favor of that nomination
(although his original preference, like that of ma
ority OF his State, had been for the reelection
Mr. Van Buren0 he exerted himself with untirine
ardor during the animated canvass of 1874 Nor
his efforts confined to his own district but he addressed
large masses OF the people in nearly every section of thu
of the wings he did more, perhaps, than any politca
speaker OF that period to disseminate among the voter
OF Maine sound principles and accurate details the
subject OF protection" Through his efforts, and tn,
equally devoted efforts of the many patriotic who
abored with him. the democracy OF the State achieved
victory at that fall election, whose influence felt il
i every quarter of the Union
With these occasional interruptions, Mr. Clifford afte
leaving Congress- devoted himself with great assduy t.
the business of his profession and he had again obtained
a large and extended practice, when, less than yea
ago, he was summoned to the honorable station which
he now fills vi the manner in which he has thus ia
discharged the important duties of attorney general,
one it is believed, has had the
plain; and his friends will be deeply disappointed if, il
all the substantial qualities which contribute to form
good ofhcer, he does not prove himself worthy success
sor OF those who have preceded him in that distinguished
place
As will be seen from this sketch, Mr. Clifford's f
has been chiefly engrossed by his public and professional
duhes yet he is BY no deficient in that genera
information which is derived from books. or that equal
valuable knowledge which comes from observation
Without the advantage of liberal culture in his youth
he has fully repaired the want by the digent study
his early manhood and having had through all his life
no support upon which TO lean, either of extensive wea
or exalted family, he reaps the benefit of such de
pvaton in that strength of character which springs iron
the manly habit of self-relance. With this habit thu
formed in the school of adversely, it is not strang
that born, he was, of republican family
and reared as it his destiny to be- anon
the healthy influences of New Hampshire shoul
/ have commenced his political existence with feeling
; and opinions on the side of democracy; but he de
serves the additional credit of having at all times remain
ed true to those opinions and of having hesitate
in their support This constancy of opinion arises
merely from his integrity of character, but is the fruit
/ him of cautious Judgment and wel-baanced mind
Having of thai genius which seeks to dazzle athe
than to convince, he has the more useful capacity
clear reasoning and thorough investigation. :" TIL
highest and surest talent that which will hold out long
est and often reach the greatest elevation; the only tai
emit hay almost say which is given 10 for intel
ties 10 produce good result-that is, of aborng wit
success :; and to this talent, which he possesses in
: eminent degree is Mr. Clifford peculiarly indebted fo
knowledge and reputation 1t has been his good fortune
heretofore, to occupy position to which he foun
unequal but every succeeding step of his previous
reer has served, on the contrary, as preparatio
and pledge for his further progress. We venture tn
confident prediction, that the promise of his past If
will not fail of ample fulfment in the future and that HI
other and it may be higher spheres of dnty than any
[ which he has been hitherto called to act
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