The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-09-09

HS honOre, and worlhuy enjoyed tne respect ana
esteem of his fellow citizens; while the great
party of which he was an ornament have had
taken from il one who was in open path for
the highest honors which party or country have
to bestow. The passing away OF such is
AN event in history A void is created which
cannot be filed All that is left is the fragrance
of life well filled up with patient and patriotic
devotion to the interests and the glory Of the
country. But this is no common heritage, and
il will long serve to stimulate and encourage
those who, in sparng no pains to qualify them
selves for important public service, see that
such execution receives its reward from dis
eliminating public. .t
Levi Woodbury. was born in Francestown, in
the commencement of 1870. His elementary
studies were first at the noble free school, then
at seminary, and from there he went to Dart
mouth College, whence he graduated IN 1909,
with distinguished reputation for talent and
scholarship He selected the profession OF the
law, and passed year at the law school OF
Litch6eld, Connecticut, and after preparatory
study at Boston, Exeter, and his native town,
he was, in 1912, admitted to the bar. This
period was one of stirring politics. Mr. Wood
bury entered the lists on the republican side
with ardor, although then but law student.
Still it should not be forgotten that he was in
defatigable in the application to STUDY. AS a
consequence, his reputation Increased, and IN
comparatively short time he obt-ined an extern
siye and lucrative practice.
! So prominent had been the part taken by Mr..
Woodbury. in politics, that when the Democratic
party in New Hampshire got the ascendnncy in
| 1916, he was chosen secretary of the Senate,
and the next year, though only twenty seven
years old, he was appointed judge OF the superior
court Here he greatly distinguished hims t
by the research he displayed, his unwearied dill
gence, his patience, firmness, and good temper
The reports of his decisions bear ample testi-
mony TO his qualifications and though where
| he was unknown his appointment excited re-
mark, vet the able perform nee of his duties
amply justified the selection. In 1919 he re-
moved to Portsmouth, where, except when ne
cessarily absent he continued to reside until his
DEATH m
| In 1923, Judge Woodbury. was elected gov
ernor Of New Hampshire. There were two
Democratic candidates in nomination, but no
federal candidate-the Federalsts voting for
him. In consequence Of the subsequent united
opposition Of the Federalists and portion Of
the Democrats he was not reelected to serve a
second term In 1925 he was elected repre-
sentative from the town Of Portsmouth, and be
came the speaker of the House of Representa-
tives 1t was at this session that he was elected
to fill vacancy in the Senate of the United
States. Here the same extent OF information,
indomitable industry, and ready talent which
marked his career as judge, characterized his
parliamentary course. His speeches were able
and thorough OF them oil, perhaps his fine
speech on Foote'S resolutions gained him the
most fame, and did his party the most service
During four sessions he was chairman Of the
committee on commerce, the abors OF which he
disch reed with his accustomed diligence.
His term Of service expired in 1881. when he
was elected State SENATOR but was soon after
invited by President Jackson to seat in his
cabinet as Secretary of the Navy. On Mr. Ia
news rejection, he became Secretary of the Trea-
sury, which Office he continued to hold until
the close of Mr.. Van Buren's administration
This period was one of great financial difficulty
1t competence ed the time of the greatest COM
mercia revulsion this country ever experienced
| 1t would take far too large space to go over
this ground Suffice it to say that the secre-
tary prov ed the man for the occasion, and faith
fully co-operated in carrying out The strong mea-
sures that the times demanded His industry,
his reports, his firmness, his successful admin
istration of this important department during
season of unparalleled trial. are all on record and
speak for themselves Time and the grave
while they extinguish political bitterness, awaken
political candor; and we greatly istake if the
intelligent of all parties now will not unite in
the need of praise that is lie to the eminent
departed, for his wise and firm course through
this remarkable crisis, and be ready to admit
that his management of this department at this
eventful time will ever be monument of his
| ability,
In l84l he was again elected TO the United
States Senate. II was n peculiar period. He
was to meet the ablest and most eminent of his
political opponents. Here his large experience,
his extensive information, his untiring labor, his
great powers of debate, surprised the country
Undoubtedly new laurels &C on graced his brow.
His mastery speeches indicating the financial
policy of the Democratic party, from the days
| of Jackson downwards, arranged with n clear
ness and power which it is not too invidious
to say the Senate rarely has addressed to il, wer
| absolutely unanswered and unanswerable lie
had the strength of sound principle, of conc'u-
sive facts, and of jusifying results on his side,
and he knew how to avail himself of such ma
teral. We need not do more than to name
these remarkable speeches to recall their power
and effect.
He was nominated by President Polk to
seat on the bench of the Supreme Court. This
high station he has adorned by ripe Judgment
extensive legal attainments, and les of opin-
ions that have ELECTED the commentator of our
abest urists. His last labors have been devoted
to the work of unfolding the laws and the Con.
sttution of his country means Of sustain
ing the Union In this service he was engaged
at the time of his lamelted DEATH
In the above sketch we have not alluded TO
service that Judge Woodbury. has performed
He has delivered historical dscourses, lyceun,
lectures, and eulogies-all of which have been
characterized by learning, eloquence, and patri-
otism. All have manifested thorough acquaint-
anoe with all that belongs to American institu.
tons. Indeed in mis- whole east Of character he
was thoroughly American. lie was thoroughly
Democratic in his views and liberal in his appli-
cation Of his opinio IS. Hence the annexation
of Texas had no stronger advocate, and we may
add that no vindication of this measure that has
come under notice is marked by less sectiona
ism and by greater breadth of view than his
vindcation of it. He went for it because the
interest of all America required it. lie saw in
it only the spread of the American name, and
The vast icrease, politically and commercially,
of American power. His discourse, too, on Am.
erican character, shows bold, original and dis