The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1848-09-29
TFor the Daily Cresoent.1

1 . "+OSS HoAAS
heads this article while yields passing tribute to the value
of institutions which leave genius TO unmpeded the
path to distinction also reads to the aspiring and peeveng
youth of happy land impressive lesson of advice
encouragement Not among the least of the happy effects
which have been produced by the benecent influence of
form OF government that displayed in the general nte
gence OF the people, in the genius and talent by which so
many of them distinguished and in the readiness with
which all unite in recognizing and approaching these truly
enrolling qualities Short has been our national
few if of the nations of the earth whether ancient
modern, boast of such array of lustous
that which already adoms annals. And time rolls
on, with its changes and developments may not hope
Tor occasion to add to list which forms greatest
| source of national pride?
If there any description of ancestral PRIDE which may
be INDUCED in without offence our republican feelings it
that having reference to those whose blood purchased the
ch inheritance enjoy. The subject of this notice be-
Ion gs to eminent for their patriotism and galantry
du hng the most trying periods of national history The
Sc yer family sprung from Huguenot of the NAME who
migrated to South Carolina about the middle of the
sntury. Subsequently they removed to North Carolina,
md settled on the waters of the French Broad They
Identified with most OF the military of the Revolution
airy War in the South and always conspicuous in the
conflicts with the Indians frequent in the early settlement
OF that region His grandfather, Col SEWER afterwards
Governor Tennessee held an important command at the
memorable battle of Kings Mountain, and two of his
ances belonged to the gallant band who under the lead
rshp OF Marion, kept the spirit of liberty alive in South
carolina when hope itself banhed from that State by
the overthrow of Gates In fine from the earliest settlement
OF the country down to the time when the battle of Nicko
Jack fought the SEWERS were ever foremost among the
defenders OF the soil whether the enemy British Tories
OF INDIANS and on all such they distinguished
themselves for galanhy. One of his unces familarly
known Jack SEWER rendered himself famous by his at
tempt to separate from North Carolina and to form into an
Independent state that portion of her territory then known
FARMLAND" The Legislature of North Carolina passed
an edct OF outawy against him. and authorized the Gov
enor TO offer GO0 for his apprehension His defiance of the
auhones his arrest and his Linconton
| tens OF history which need not repetition here.
Me- Sewer was born in Green county East Tennessee in
the year 1903 At this early period and for many years after
the schoolmaster almost unknown in that district of
eountry Notwithsta ndng this well other dsadvan-
ge which surrounded his boyhood his fervent desire foi
improvement enabled him to triumph them ALL and to
acquire an education which, though comparatively very
limited was superior to that usually enjoyed by the people
OF Eastern Tennessee Here he passed his youth and until
he attained his nineteenth year, when mounted on good
horse and with few dollars his pocket he babe adieu to
the mountains and streams haowed by the associations
home and the ecoecons of childhood called into action
the adventurous spirit of his and in quest of fortunes
| slippery ba - started for the West.
His steps first directed towards ST. Louis Among
the letters which he carried with him to Missouri
to COL Benton That great statesman took lively if not
an unusual Interest in the youthful stranger He discovered
IN him those high mental characteristics which, he felt con
WINGED needed but proper field to bring about glorious
development And that he had presenment of the ee-
waited position which his potege destined ultimately
to attain appears by the following characteristic anecdote
Mr. Sewer called ming upon the Colonel whom he
found reading book After the usual sautaons Col Ben
on addressing Mr. Sewer in his peculiarly formal manner
remaTked- Mr. Sewer. have been reading the Campaign
Of the celebrated COrcan in Egypt. He says sir that
Egypt Is great country, but that it wants man Now
Mr. SEWER we have great country near but it, too
wants man Go to Arkansas, sir-go to Arkansas +"
Mr. Sewer promptly acted upon this advice and soon
afterwards reached the Post of Arkansas then the Seat of
Government Of that territory but without of money
in his pocket and with no other capital to start on the bust
M ifp that LooI
clear head, brave heart and determination to elevate him
self above the circumstances by which he was surrounded
For some time after his arrival this place. he wrote in one of
Tie Government offices for small salary and the hours not
thus employed were devoted the study of law in which
he made rapid proficiency. Meanwhile his frank and
manly bearing the uniform kindness of his department, and
his intelligence, won him the friendship of numbers and the
regard and good wishes OF ALL Having length obtained
MS cense to practice under circumstances which reflected
add tonal credit his the elder members of the
the bar purchased him horse and furnished him with money
Decessay for his in performing his first circuit
very few placed him. if at the head of the bar
OF Arkansas, at least among its leading members. Wealth
and professional distinction howeng their avors upon
him, when the world of poics-a higher and more brilliant
if not tranquil and profitable sphere of acton-was
opened to his view The American people quick their
appreciation of sterling qualities and seldom do they
distinguishing between the gold of worth and the brass of
mere pretension, His comprehensive mind took in at a
glance the great political questions which divide public opn
ion in the United States and he that in the
regard him as the other qualities which
claimed their respect of those which enter into compost
ton OF a political leader and great statesman.
His political career has been unboken round of sue.
Never has he failed OF being elected any of the
occasions when the people have called for his ser
vices Perhaps mans public life has been signalzed by
such repeated evidences of confidence from constituency
has Mr.. Sewers And what illustration of his general
merits could be furnished stronger than this But let
briefly recapituate His first appearance in public life
as member of the Territorial Legislature, in which capacity
he served two terms. striking evidence of bis talents and
of the high esteem in which he held adduced by
by the fact that although but twenty-five years of age he
elected Speaker OF the House. He appeared in the
Senate to which he elected succeeding beat
ing each occasion the opposing candidate Gen. Hogan
of the most popular and influential men of the Territory
He was still member of the Senate of Arkansas, when he
was nominated by the unanimous vote OF both Houses to fill
the place of Delegate Congress- left vacant by the death of
the Hon. Mr. Conway Without vote, and consequently
without influence the position of territorial delegate fur
nishes few occasions for the development of distinguishing
alts OF character He was, perorce passive but yet
deeply interested spectator of the mighty political struggles
which agated the country at the time. But mind so |
active and unng could not remain idle, while the posi-
biy of being useful existed. Perhaps the solid benefits
which, during this PERIOD he enabled to confer his
constituens-amOng the rest the sale of Loveess Purchase
and the exchange Of lands effected with the Cherokees
demanded from them richer return than could have been
expected for the highest efforts of craftsmanship the most
prominent general question of the day. But until
Arkansas admitted into the Union that he attained
station where his talents found scope for their full develop
ment From that time until last March, when he ap-
pointed Minister Mexico his in the United States
Senate has been too prominent to call for any extended
notice of it here Suffice to say that upon of the
great questions which have engaged the attention of Con-
gess during the last twelve years. has he failed to leave
either the impress of his genius the marks of his well
directed patriotism.
His appointment the post of Minister to Mexico was the
result not of the Partially of the President by whom he
regarded friend and esteemed patriot and statesman,
but of of opinion among the members of the
Cabinet and the leading friends of the Administration that
he, of all Others best qualified for the difficult and i'm
pOrtant mission. The dissemination he FIST expressed
duties delicate and responsible elected the above
fact and left him alternative but acquesce in the
rangement To persist under such circumstances refusing
accept the post would have been, in his eyes, dereic-
ton of duty The address well the happy combination
of Cancellation with mness, which he displayed in Mexico