The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-05-23


sketch Of the Puhlic Llfc Of shs tion. Thou.aa.
Haynes B.yiy, or Virginia.
The services OF who have risen TO distinction in
any country become interesting and audabe object Of
curiosity 10 the public and in free country such ours
where The avenue to prefemen is open TO all, IL
affords useful lesson TO trace the career OF genius Du
ring the numerous aIduous controversies IN which tins
nation has been involved well IN lis Interior az IN lis
foreign relations, Judge Bayys entrance into pub
lie life he has all occasions gwen ndisputable proofs
OF enlightened patriotism and constant exetlion OF his la
ents for the public good.
The first we hear Of him is lawyer. aud his gen.
eness OF manners his extensive eluditon, his proies
sional requirements, and his faithful attention to the
business OF his clients. all united m procuring for him
the esteem and the confidence OF his fellow citizens
thereby Introducing him TO an extensive and lucrative
practice.
In a few years he was called by his feow-clzens to
occupy seat in the legislative councls OF his State
During his term OF service that capacity he filled with
great ability the place OF chairman Of the committee upon
the subject OF the delivery up OF iugltyes iiom justice
The greatest detractors from his merit acknowledged the
perspcuity and eloquence OF his Argument The report
was extensively circulated tits marked by great ability,
The course OF the governor OF New York landed with
freedom, and the supremacy OF the right OF Virginia VIM
dictated OF all the arguments elected by that in
teesng question, that OF Judge Bayly will be admitted
to take the lead whether we consider its character as an
elegant composition, mastery review OF the rights
involved His high reputation lawyer, the purity
and integrity OF his character and his standing IN the
community, induced ths governor OF Virginia to appoint
h:m Judge Of the lower district OF Virginia He retained
has situation as Judge Tor many years, with unbemlshed
credit announcing his decisions with The amenities OF
gentleman, and temperng justice with enlty When the
the Hon. Henry A.. Wise received the appointment Of
minister to Brazil, Judge Bayy selected by his fel-
low citizens to seat in the Congress OF the United
States He entered the national councils when great
ioye,es were to hs adjusted and question:
most prominent part During the administration OF MIR
Polk, he ranked among the most prominent poca
friends OF the President His character and talents would
have well warranted the executive in gratifying any wish
which could have been entertained for his higher advance
ment by his waImest friends Among the most impOrtan
objects that claimed his attention was the question Of aa
usnent, so long the vexed question The floor OF Con
gress His speech this subject evnces grea research
and displays those extended views with winch he cone
plated every subject which demanded his attention
His attachment established constitutional law was
ardent and unyeldng. He could not be drawn aslit
from the sacred path either by the authority Of
power and office, or by the preudices and murmuIs
hose who happen TO be the dispensers OF popular ap
plause
During the course of his public life in Congress he
took part in the discussion OF every important question
that in period OF peculiar interest," and pegnan
with important consequences 10 the prosperity OF thu
country. lie was always first at the Committee OF Way
aud Means, Of which he chairman when il met, ant
heard patiently every important topic discussed and eyery
difficult question investigated His general information
furnished assistance in all these inquiries, and he in II,
case shrunk from the communication Of his views, be
cause this might make against him the opposition o
on all occasions those of liberal mind lie delighted
10 unfold them TO the attention of others, both from The
thorough conviction which he entertained OF their truth
and still more from the enthusiastic persuasion that the,
were nseparabe from the best interests of the coun
try. AS member OF Congress, he enjoyed repuia
lion of an enviable character. His style OF debate il
busnesske and conversational. He rarely rises IL
speak except TO speak briefly and clearly The subject
matter under discussion. He does aim at oratoSica
display but seeks, by pertinent statements OF facts al,
common sense logic, to satisfy and convince his audience
| He seldom attempted to make set speech but his
speech The ad ustmen question OF the sound
es, and most instructive made in the course of that g'ea
debate Upon this subject he gave evidence of lmmens
! research. Such however, was the mdness OF bis
ners, such the kindness oil his disposition, such hi
known personal disnlerestedness, that perhaps Their
was not member OF Congress who possessed, 70 al
equal extent, tue personal respect OF those who dlfeIe
from him on any great and exciting question. He wa
unrenitng IN the attention to the duties OF his station
To his constituents he faithful in degree eas
surpassed. Their interests were uppermost in hi
mind, and every act OF Legislation which concerned th
people ct Virginia received his individual attention iron
us inception TO its close He makes their affairs which
have been committed TO him his till he has done al
in his power 10 accomplish what he desired No labo
was too great in the committee, or on the floor OF Con
gress, or in private conference with other members
when he the probability of advancing the interest
intrusted TO his care.
The LATE SiLAs WRIGHr ON THE FUGITIVE sLAvl
QUESTION 1t has no doubt occurred TO many who ba
the highest opinion of Silas Wright land they :,
many could be numbered in favor OF any in tn
age in which he ved) that 1t would be exceedingly in
ieresing and instructive to know what he would bav
said upon this subject had he lived 10 this day Forta
naely however he has left a speech made in 1873, ii
which he takes up and considers the ugtve. slav
clause in the constitution. He says this clause is appli
cable TO fugitive slave and 10 the apprentice and
also in the free States. He exposuates with ,hos
who would disregard this provision OF the constitution
in the most manner. II is necessary in order Il
MAINTAIN The friendly relations between the States. w
should rsslec the rights and interests Of the slaveholdn,
States We cannot, without the observance OF this
epan, carry into elect those other provisions Of the con
s,ulon which recognise The institution OF slavery,
exercise the powers oil government in good faith. III
refers to the character OF the men who composed tn
convention OF l7S7, and calls for the who will
tue them for giving their assent to this claus
for The reclamation OF slaves. ALI the old thirteen State
sssened 10 it, Fifty years had atesed the wisdom o
the convention and the faithful adherence OF the people
4 w no they that will presume TO be purer than Wash
ingon and his associates, and attempt TO deDosh th
/ temple which they erected He speaks against open
the promises OF the constitution which have beer
consecrated by tune He would no, upon the
OF chance the blessings which have been secured TIL
hope OF gaining others from its darkness and storms III
| would not trampe upon the faith which has beer
pledged 10 other States, IN the expectation OF exton,
their consent to another and different compact And
showing the superior sagacy OF this eminent statesman
and how he appreciated the danger that coming, h
stalking its fate against the emancipation of the slave.
[Rspnbi,ean Herald.
POINTED TRUTH.--lhe democratic press through th
country have taken a noble and patriotic stand on Ia,
slave question. II must be apparent that far as tn
subject of slavery be introduced into the polit
cal arena cannot be made question OF party policy
Ii is merely question OF adherence TO reputation
the country. The rights OF slavery clearly dehnet