Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-08-17
Tribute TO GEN. McKAY.-Perhaps few


such distinguished services to the country, a
have been less DESTROYS of notoriety, or have t
praciiced the arts of the demagogue 10 less s
extent than Gen. Mckay. Indeed, it may be
fairly questioned whether he ever, in the
whole course of his public life. performed one
act for mere show sake, or thought twice a.
bout the looks of any thing apart from its in
trinsic merits. The measures by which he is
best known, are rather useful than splendid
ini character and the monuments of his pub
lie career are to be found in the bills whose
details he has arranged and perfected--not in
any ad captandum speeches TO {" Buncombe."
the reports Of what he has said. it gives US
pleasure, notwithstanding this carelessness of
popularity, to find the democratic press in ev-
cry part of the Union, ready and willing to
offer generous tribute of respect and appre-
citation to the public services of our late able |
representatives tribute the more valuable, |
because spontaneous and unsolicited
The Cassville (Ga.) Standard, in noticing
the aeclinat:on of Gen. Mckay, pays the fol-
lowing tribute 10 his character and worth:
We notice with sincere regret that Mr.. Nc
| Kay declines a reelection 10 Congress nor
do we speak inconsiderately in saying that we
regard il as a national calamity The senti-
ment is true 10 the letter; and critical review
of the services he has rendered the country
during his Congressional Career, would put it
beyond the reach of cavi or doubt We have
not been an inattentve observer of the part
he has acted in our national councils for the
last few years From the time of his appoint
ment TO the head of the committee of Ways and
Means our attention has been called TO his
course, and we have watched his various move
ments with the interest naturally excited by The
character of the important measures, which he
has from time TO time brought forward & urged
upon the consideration of the country; and
our estimate of his character has been main
ly formed from the opportunity thus offered
of Judging his worth and merit. The organ.
iZation of the'' Independent Treasury SYSTEM
which has been so triumphantly sustained, its
successful operation for the last few years
the equally successful tariff act of 1846-the
warehousing system, and various other i'm
portant measures. bear ample evidence of the
laborious service which Gen. Mckay has rem
dered the country during the eventfu sessions
of the last three Congresses. Through the
varied and complicated measures connected
, with the prosecution of the Mexican war, we
can trace the North Carolina representative by
the evidences which each affords, of his ex-
tensve misunderstanding energy--unas-
Stunning merit and lahorious service. When
the public mind shall be famiarized with the
|, par, which Gen. Mckay has acted in all these
matters, it will accord its full approval to the
| how Of fho1 1oe
the country has sustained in his withdrawal
! from the halls of our national legislature. To
form correct judgment upon the character OF
Gen. Mckay as public man, we must adopt
rules somewhat different from those, BY which
: we estimate the character of Clay, Webster
Benton and Calhoun. He does not belong io
that Class of statesmen nor will his country.
men do justice TO his real worth and merit by
drawing from such comparison, an estimate
of the true character to which he is entitled
He will not rival Clay in brilliancy of genius
nor Webster in profundity of thought; mol
Benton in boldness of conception; nor Calhoun
in terseness of reasoning; and yet he combines
: in his character, powers and faculties of mind
which enables him within much shorte: pc.
Rod than that occupied by either of these dis
tnguished statesmen in the acquisition of their
world wide reputation, TO render 10 his coun-
try real services which will compare favora.
: bly, with similar ones, which either of then
= may bring and lay by their side; and at tn,
y same time TO gain for himself a reputation fo
useful and unpretendng worth, which nigh
: we'll attract the notice and excite the envy o
- the most brilliant statesman of them all. Yot
:, will look in vain through the cumberous fol
: les of Congressional debate for evidences o
{ his parliamentary efforts and yet the country
has been informed during the progress through
e Congress of his favorite measures, of the pow
erful effect produced upon his colleagues BY
his pointed, striking and forcible remarks
: | Content to have rendered the service 10 hi:
4 country, he seems rather to have avoided thar
o sought the praise which was so richly biz
due His mind is represented as very store
o house of useful information. By close ant
assidious attention to his public duties, he hat
: familiarised himself with not only all the i'm
b portant measures of interest, but also with thu
S various and multiplied details of tine diHeren
departments, enabling him 10 bring to bea
that clear and discriminating Judgment O
; which be is possessed, upon our national lie
S gisation in all its branches and manifestations
h Whilst the inquisitive character of his mind
would overcome all obstacles in its researches
9 amidst the high and more complicated cues
! lions of political science it did not disdain al
equally SCTutlnIZlng llVeSIlRdtlOn OF the less
/. attractive matters of minor Importance. Henc,
= it was that he literally knew everything ne
. cessary to be known, which was in the reacE
a OF a strong, vigorous and laborious mind
Few public men possessed a clearer. stronge
intellect, and none have appropriated it to
better purpose. Many interesting anecdotes
t are related of him, going 10 illustrate the traits
# in his character to which we have alluded =
Among others, it is said that it was his Gus
tom 10 make extensive preparation for the dis
j. cussion of every important question, that wa
likely TO arise during the session, but from
ri difidence and indisposition for mere display
he never engaged in the debates of the Hous,
unless impeled on by the conscious require
u ment OF duty; or urged to it by the strong ap
peals of his friends; rather preferng to fur
Y nish the material collected by his labor and re
r. searches. to some more ambitious and aspiring
associate, being satisfied that his country
should receive the benefit of his labor, though
IT the credit of it should be awarded TO another
If we have correctly understood the charac
J. ter Of Gen. Mckay asa public man, we SHOULD
rank him with Nathaniel Macon of his owl
State; and we are not aware of any other maj
10 the list of our great men, TO be classed will
them. The two constitute a class of them
!. selves. For the good of our country as wei
as for the character of her statesmen, we coult
wish that the number had been greater in time