The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-07-14
From the Ne,c York Journal Of Commerce.
HON. WILLIAM A. GRAHAM.

HON. WILLIAM A. ShAHhm
The honorable William A. Graham, the present
Wing nominee for Wee President OF me United
States, is a native of Lincolnton, in Lincoln county,
one of the western rhires of North Carolina, and
is descended from highly respectable and ancient
revolutionary stock. About the year 1924 or 1873
he graduated with distinction at the university OF
his native State located at Chapel Hill, in Orange
county. The late James X. Polk was educated at
the same institution. Mr.. Graham completed hts
collegiate term when scarcely more than III Ms
eighteenth summer, and at that early period gave
decided presages of brilliant. future.
He very soon embarked in political life, but
turned his attention chiefly to the study of the law
In both pursuits he was successful, winning his
way To public consideration, not by any covert or
sklfu arts of management or intrigue, but by dill
igence faithfulness, close pphcaton to business,
an honest ambition, and rreproachaoie sleadiness
of character. He has never sought preferment,
but has uniformly shown himself endowed with
those qualities and capabilities which are almost
always sure to acquire 1t. On several occasions
he represented one or another county IN the legs-
lature of North Carolina, and was elected TO the
sneakershp. Subsequently he filed the Office OF
Governor of the State, with credit to himself and
satisfaction to his constituents. Upon the compile
ton of this duty, he was appointed to vacancy
in the Senate Of the United States AT present nc
fills with ability the post of Secretary OF the Navy
Gen. Taylor rendered him the unsolicited oier OF
ministerial representative of the Court OF Madrid,
which he prudently declined. He is not easily
seduced by the illusions Of titled honors, and no
one discerns more readily the distinction between
phantoms and realities. He follows no dazzling
yhts In independent, if not afiluent, cIrcumsan-
ccs, he persuaded himself that the interests OF
rising family did not require that they should be
brough in contact with the seductive allurements
and extensive formalities of foreign court. he
was apprehensive Of the mallgn tendencies of such
strange associations, and his conclusions were
sound and rational. Such esoteric influences, IN
.r,o, 1ptr mt n other
youthful minds, by exciting in them a preludiclai
taste of foreign customs and pleasures, and impair
ing thereby the Roman vi gor and Spartan simplicity
of republican life. Such were the aPprehens'ons
entertained by Mr.. Graham, and he was unwilling,
from motives of personal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, to haz-
ard the interests of those who were committed to
his charge Considerations like these are not often
respected by men whose ambition has once fct the
stimulus OF public promotion.
In nerson Mr. Graham is tall and slender hay
ing dgnifed presence, intellectual countenahce,
aouiline features, bright, penetrating hazel eye,
and manners prepossessng and graceful but slightly
reserved He is distinguished for uprighiness OF
character solidty of Judgment, and cool sagacty;
is eminenty conservative IN his views ana Princi-
piles and enjoys in striking degree that sincerity
of purpose freedom from ostenation, hearty pa
triotsrr,, and unaffected sobriety, which usually
characterize the public men of the Old North state
His past career clearly prognostlcates his fuure
celebrity and success and affords ample assurance
that the highest trusts may be conhded to MN with
safety and proprlety cu.
claims for his North Carolina home the quiet and
secluded little town Of Hillsborough, and that In
another town Of the Identical name IN New Ramp,
SHIRE the Democratic Presidential nominee Is saia
to have been born. There is another COINCIDENCE (,
! much less accidental, but more worthy OF notice,
in the character and fortunes of these two distn.
gujshed individuals. Entertaining opposite poitical
creeds, and grated with the high political position
they had achieved-both of them occupying seats
| in the United States Senate whilst still compara-
lively in their youthful prime-they were aiike
willing to lay aside the coveted robes OF once, ana
| to withdraw, each of them, to small and OBSCURE
| country town, quietly to pursue the aVocatiohs,
and to practise the substantial virtues and du'ies OF
| private citizenship. MIR. Graham did not resign
| his seat as Mr. Pierce did, but was satisfied when
the brief time for which he served was completed
| They are both of them about the same age.
| Mapy persons will recall TO mind the dls'rust
which was originally felt by great many In regard
| to the caucus system, when first introduced INTO
this country by party manGuvre, some years since
1t was looked upon the cunning work OF faction,
and as having tendency 10 foster political lntrguers
| and brawlinS demagogues to the unjust exclusion
| of mertorious men, in the distribution of the spolls
and awards of Office But if party conventions shall
continue to select such men of patriotism ara merit,
as thew have recently preferred, they will not only
be faithful representatives of the popular VIII, out
steadast adherents and supporters OF inc 'ederai
| compact. .,.
| The hero of a hundred battles, who is now whet-
ting his aspirations for the attainment of The Pres
identia prize, could not be associated with more
worthy, discreet, and acceptable colleague than MR..
| Graham. Strategy may, perhaps, be as skii'uiiy
| cmnloved in a political as in military campaign;
but on this occasion it will hardly be called into
reouisi,ion. The unbiased instincts of the people
will guide them in the choice of their rulers, into
whose custody are to be placed not only the mighty
| ;,,orosts of American liberty and progress, but
| colIateralIv the universal alliance of freedom and
of equal rights throughout the world
| In nation like this, its permanent progressive
welfare and prosperity must depend. to consider
able extent, upon wise and consistent course OF
legislation. And, in the event OF wing triumph,
the White House, Mr.. Graham will be sure to let
his allowance cool before he dips into It. he
reshes nothing hasty, hot, or strong.