The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-09-13
T,,huts % an. mrmory or mr. yNoedbary.

We take the liberty Of offering 10 our readers what an
old acquaintance OF this departed statesman has said TO
US in private letter. when referring TO his characteran
acquaintance that has filled many OF the highest offices in
our government and has had opportunities to test the
eminent ability and virtue OF the friend whose death he
SO feelngIy deplores
Mr. EDITOR Your few lines in the Union of the sth,
on the death of Mr. Woodbury. written under the first
telegraphIc despatch that spread the painful OF it,
truly and happily described the chief exceences Of his
character. did not know him well you did, not
having had opportunities OF being with him often or
intimately; but |, too, knew him personally, and an
observer OF his | saw, all might have seen,
the sagacity fidelity, and good effect with which he full
filled the duties of the many high trusts confded to him
under the general government His administration of the
affairs OF the treasuryalways the most difficult part of
public afairs-was not merely able but mastery He
had them in hand in their transition state from the evils
OF bad banking system back 10 the constitutional treas.
ury provided by the early laws OF Congress In 1885,
1886, and 1887 had leglons OF banks at work, Ike
paper mills; and unfortunately, their unwarranable
practices had grown to be quite extreme as their
Der. Mr. Woodbury. those years, and at other epochs
had to deal with this mighty host-exaspeated against
him such bodies corporate ever must be against those
who would thwa their plans, curtail their profits, or say
aught against their formidable power. They had thrown
the fiscal operations of the government and business
Germs of the country into great confusion Ups aud
downs-vcissudes OF all knds-were constantly taking
place in money matters grea. fortunes We're suddenly
made by the ina,ed-an immense and cunning class
and corresponding losses suffered by the unsuspcc,ng and
ignorant In short, uncertainty perplexity, and alarm
pervaded all pecuniary transactions throughout the land
more or less, during those memorable times.
Against this accumulated flood of evils, always liable
to increase by its vicious and artificial nature, Mr. Wood
bury his reports and letters 10 Congress
fully attest, fought out the battle OF the constitutional
treasury firmly, wisely, and successfully Always at
his postalways ready (almost on the instantly 10 reply
to the ncessan calls upon him-ful of knowledge from
study and possessing you remark, an extraordinary
memory, be acquired, however, by nearly all who will
cultivate it as he did--nohing daunted by untounded
charges against himself but calm as firm, be trumphed
in the end and the. sober of the country has
since behed the value of this reinstatement OF the con-
stulona treasury the changetul and corrupt sys
ten which had long and boldly maintained It's usurped
sway. His country TO his memory lasting respect,
and gratitude as well as respect, for these services had
be performed no others She has lost in him enghl-
ened pure and most seryceabe statesman ever consist
ent in his course but not harsh upon those Offering
from him, and lost learned, upright, and dlsen judge
from the chest judicial tribunal OF the naion. There
was never in him any parade or osentaton de was
TRANQUIL profound, and interchangeable in all his official
orbits and in his personal intercourse amiable and
all the cardinal principles OF the creed 'llluslrated
las you Justly remark) by the lives and services OF
such statesmen as Jefferson and Madison" Tor in
such exalted sources will ever be found the safe
guards against error extravaganza in that behe'
cent creed He who resolutey and VIGOROUSLY fought
for the constitutional treasury must needs have been IN
favor of those compromise laws which alone can save
our whole constitution and with it this blessed Union
Accordingly we how promptly he sustained the iug.
slave law OF our party he most deservedy one
of the ornaments and props and in the death of such
funconary and citizen the whole country loses high
example OF talents, virtue, and worth.
This insufficient tribute may be closed by adding that
he was punctual and courteous correspondent. Like
those great models Washington and Jefferson, he sell
dom, il ever left letter unacknowledged. He knew not
the words mo time for il y thus showing at once a
RICH, appreciation of what was due TO others, and the
power OF weregulaed industry in the midst OF constant
and the most important occupations A q.