Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1849-04-26
THE SMITH FAMIL Y.

In an important matter. The tempta-
lions of Office are such as few can with
stand, but here is man whose integrity
is proof against them. We do not say
it would have been a very enormous
thing for Truman Smith to have taken
the Home Department, under Gen. Tay-
lor; certainly it would have been very
venial peccadillo, according to the es-
tablished code of political morality
But we honor the man who refuses even
to incur the suspicion of corrupt motive
in lending his assistance to elect Presi-
dent, and who refuses an Office of power
and emolument, that his reputation may
rest untainted. Mr.. Smith has shown a
Roman virtue that would have done hon
or to Fablicius or Piso.
Mr.. Smiths public career has not been
snowy nor ostentatious. His actions have
been characterized more by the influence
they have exercised over other men, than
by the notice which they have drawn up
on himself. There are hundreds of men
who have made more noise among us
without doing 1.-THE of the good which
he was rendered to the country. A some
what remarkable instance Of commanding
talents running in a particular family is
exhibited by the members of his kindred.
The late Judge Nathaniel Smith, ofCon-
necticut, was a farmer till the age of two
and twenty He then began to study
law under Judge Reeve, of Litchfeld,
working on the farm Of the latter. while
he pursued his studies. He rose by sue
cessive stages to The first rank in his pro-
fession; became a member of Congress,
and finally, Chief Justice of the State.
He was altogether, a man of giant mould,
large in person, equally great ia mind
and soul. His chief talent was sound
common sense, which seemed to teach
him what was true and right, by spe-
cies of intuition. His judgment in the
common affairs of life. and upon the
bench, seemed alike marked by kind of
infallibillty.
The brother Of this eminent man, Ma
than Smith, was also farmer in his
younger days, but encouraged by the ex
ample and the purse of Nathaniel, he
studied law, and became very prominent
in his profession. He was afterwards
Senator of the United States, and was
regarded as one of the master minds OF
that august assembly.
The third member Of this family, the
f ather of Truman Smith, was farmer,
and this continued to be his calling
through life. He possessed, however,
the same natural talents as his two broth
ers above noticed, and was regarded by
his neighbors as man of extraordinary
judgement and sagacity.
Truman Smith bears a striking resem-
blance to these his relatives. He is large
of person, somewhat heavy moulded-is
of grave department, and carries about
him an air of constant meditation. He
has the simple and direct manners of
country people; is peculiarly unostenta-
tious, and never does any act for effect
and display. He never makes a set
speech but upon set occasions which en-
phatically demand it. When reused in
debate, he still preserves his logical clear
ness of thought but adds force and We
hemence of expression which become in
the highest degree effective. While he
ranks among the most powerful speak
ers in Congress, he is chiefly remarkable
for his laborious habits III the practical
details Of business. His industry knows
no remission; he shrinks from no toll nor
sacrifice, if it come in the way of his du
ty. And what is most remarkable, his
judgement seems equally prompt and un-
erring, whether applied to minute details
or general views Of national importance.
TO these characteristics we may add
another, which, indeed, gives augmented
value to the rest. He is one of the most
disinterested men in Congress. He seems
indeed, to belong to the old school of pol
iticians, and perhaps, for this reason, he
has acquired the title of old Truman,
though he is still young man for one
who has become so widely known. A
characteristic instance of his regard to
public interests rather than personal ad-
vancement, has been afforded by his late
refusal of the Home Department, tender
ed him by the President. His answer
was that he had taken particularly ac-
tive part in promoting his nomination and
election, and therefore, should he accept
any appointment it might be said that he
had acted from selfish motives-thus in
juring both himself and the President
Such acts are pleasant to record. Even
the Editor of the Washington Union,
hitherto disposed to treat Mr.. Smith
with severity, is forced to do homage at
least to his patriotism and good sense.
Homer gives finishing touch to his por-
trait of Helen, when he represents the
veterans of Troy, as exclaiming with their
greatest enemy, GLOW fair she is r. A
similar testimony to the sterling merits of
the disinterested statesman is furnished.
when the prejudiced and captious veter-
an of Mr.. Folks Trojan camp confesses
that he has set worthy example OF dig
u