The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-06-14
70 THE. EDITOR OF THE NATIONAL WIG.
CABINET sKETCHEs.
Secretary OF War.

THE PAPERS OF ArTIcUs.-No. Iv.--NEw SERIES.
know not by what influence Mr.. CRAWFORD was
withdrawn from the pursuits Of professional life to
be placed ut the head Of tho War Department; but
one thing ~ perfectly certain, which is, that with
man Of his unaffected modesty and merit, The eleva
ton which he has deseryedy reached, whatever may
be said Of his adversares never be justly atri-
buable to any Irregular agency on his political
or party strategy, and particularly that OF selfish
tendency, forms ingredient in his composition.
Competent ability and untiring industry in tho per-
tormance Of his duties have BEEN and will ever
be, his distinguishing characteristics. From what
Is known of him. it may therefore be fairly and con-
lldenty predicted that under his guidance the mnl-
Hilarious concerns Of his department will be as judi
ciously and ably administered by the most expe-
rienced and sagacious Of his predecessors and that
TOO, notwithstanding the state of war; aud its
mutpliedand complicated results have cnailed upon
the present war minister cn(old the toll trouble
and embarrassment formerly or ordinarily incident to
his Office.
The manners Of the Secretary are exceedingly
ailablc, though, at the same time, perfectly simple
both denotements Of the true southern gentleman
he is accessible TO every one and places all upon the
same broad Republican equality. Indeed, no man
can visit the President of the United States or any
Of the Secretaries without being strongly impressed
by the dignity of Republican simplicity--the true
grandeur Of this great government If ever disnc-
tons or grades exhibit themselves, 1t Is apt to be- in
presenting the different relations of beneficiary and
benefacor of ofiice-seeker and ofice-giper Yet no
man can visit Washington and contemplate the COM
paratiye familiarity of intercourse between the lofty
ones of the nation, and its humblest dependents
without Justly approaching the almost inestimablc
blessings secured by our constitution and our laws
No seryility-no undue obsequiousness-eve man
meets his fellow man on the same authorized level
and points to the countrys charter the best patent
of nobility equality. Temporary official exalta
ton is yours to-day and mine tomorrow, as tho ge
neralgood orhc general pleasure may demand but the
lotest wave is dependant upon subordinate tributa
ries, and they all sink alike into the bosom of the
same boundless ocean, alternately to rise and sink
again.
have been led to these remarks, perhaps little
poetical but the less true from recent sojourn
at Washington which afforded an opportunity, never
before enjoyed, of particularly observing, and reflect
ing upon the practical results Of the beautiful and
simple machinery Of the government. The proudest
nations Of the earth can furnish no adequate COM
parison, but we must look for an analogy to those
celestial bodies, which, revolving in their own orbits,
| mutually borrow and reflect light, and shed their
combined lustre upon favored world. Look at the
National and State behold their mn-
tual attraction and reflection, protection and support.
Independent yet dependant separate yet co1yede-
rate with unsocia interests knitted into ONE, with
political local anpathies, necessarily blended into
harmony. Look at all this and much more, and then
venture to talk TO me- if you can of the doctrines OF
visionary, braincd enthusiasts who traitorously
predict the dissolution Of tho Union and forever
the Expectancy and Rose" of the world.
To return from this natural episode 10 the Score
tary Of War. Instead OF finding him like "thc mailed
Mars tho bearded Pard," or some other heather
model Of official terror there he sits, simply attircd
assduollsly engaged in his studies, manifesting no
Impotence at the various interruptions to which
subjected lending attentive to every one and
although do not know that in these tines like
MAnLBonouaH, he can refuse favor with 80 much
grace to induce the applicant to be grateful
though 1t had been granted, yet this is certain that
the rejection ut least TO be painful TO the
Secrearyns though he himself wero the disappointed
party Even this, for public functionary, Is no in
considerale praise. Courtesy in high life is duty; ii
costs but little, and amounts 10 much.
aH arpIfutS