Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1851-03-15
NOS

EtecttOu OF Commodore Stocftton 10
the u S. Sendt.e.--It will be observ-
ed by our telegraphic dispatch, that
Commodore r. +. Stockton, after
many protracted ballotings, is cleo
ted TO the United States Senate, to
succeed Hon. VIM. l.. Dayton, whig,
whose term expires on Sd of March
next. 1t is curious TO observe the
preference that is given by both par
ties to members of families of the old
federal party stock, when United
States Senators are to be chosen.
Thus we have Commodore Stockton
from New Jersey, and James A.
Bayard from Delaware, and attempts
making from Massachusetts to elect
Mr.. Charles Sumner, or Hon. Rob
ert Winthrop, and in this State Hon
Hamilton Fish--all these gentlemen
being originally of the old federal
party, or of federal parentage.
Commodore Robert Field Stock
ton is the son of the late Richard
Stockton, who was, while living, the
leading member of the New Jersey
bar. In early life the father wa,
elected TO the United States Senate,
and during the war of 1912, repre- e.
sented one of the districts of the
State in the House of Representa-
tiyes. He was distinguished for lc
gal ability and learning, and was one
of the most forcible and finished, or
ators. lie was decided federalist,
and took part in the debates in Con-
gress. On one occasion, being at
tackled in debate by Charles ]. lnger
soil, then domociatic member from
Philadelphia, and accused by that
gentleman of want Of patriotism, in
opposing the war, Mr.. Stockton re-
piled in terms of great eloqueuce,
and alluded to his sons then employ
ed in the service of his country, one
of whom is now the Senator elect.
The father of Richard Stockton,
and grandfather of the Commodore,
was Judge Richard Stockton, one of
the signers of the Declaration of In
dependence, and a gentleman oflear-
ming and ability
Com. Stockton has, since 1924,
been active in politics. He first sup
ported, John Quincy Adams Tor tho
Presidency. A vacancy occurred il
| the United States district court OF
New jersey, during Mr.. Adams ad-
ministration, TO which 1t was expec.
ted Mr.. Richard Stockton would
have been selected; but Mr.. South
ard, then Secretary Of the Navy, fa
vored the appointment of Mr.. Rus
sell, who was therefore made Dis
trict Judge by President Adams,
much TO the dissatisfaction of the ol,i
iederalists Of New Jersey, and the
Stockton family in particular. Many
ofthe New Jersey federalsts after
wards supported Gen. Jackson and
his administration.
In IS4C, Commodore Stockton ad.
vocated the election of Harrison and
Tyler, and made strong speeches a.
gainst the conduct Of the den ocratic
party in the celebrated broad seal
case, in which it will be recollected
that the whig candidate for Congress,
who received the broad seal of the
State, as declared elected, were re-
fused their seats by the democratic
party, in the HouseH of Representa-.
tives- We do not know whether
the Commodore supported Mr.. Polk
at the Presidential election Of 1874.
Just before the war with Mexico,
he was sent to the Pacific by Mr..
Bancroft, then Secretary Of the Ma
Wy, to command the squadron there.
and he greatly aided Col. Fremont
in the conquest of California. When
superseded, he came home across the
mountains, on horseback. Within
few months past, he has resigned his
commission of Post captain in the
Navy. ai
The principal opposition to the
election of Commodore Stockton 10
the United States Senate among the
democrats, arose from his connection
with the Camden and Amboy Rail.
road, and Canal company, he being
a large stockholder in that nonopo:
ly, so called. But onthe other hand,
he has doubtless received great aid
from the influence always exercised
and felt from the concern, welding a
capita! ofseyen millions of deliars.
N. ". Herald.
| CoMAIoN MEkctEs.--A gentleman
was once stopped in the streets ofLon
don by a stranger, who asked him,