The daily union., 1852-05-12

nteectua man His stature is tall. but inelegan ) his
copex.oo dark hair black eyes blue and taken all IA
all, is very hard-favofed man."
III the measures TO compass the reform taken by Uehe
Downs were arbitrary, and involved the assumption OF
unlawful authority, alleged IN The arucie iIom me
fact that he dealing with corrupt institutions then
above all isU, almost wholly Irresponsible as he equally
corrupt and kinuenced judiciary OF the State al that
time had decided Dangerous diseases al umes require
desperate remedies the Bee argues were Tesorted
TO- The final disclosure OF the true conditon OIL these
institutions relieved General Downs OF me "odiam
which his had generated against him-ihat IS,
in the estimation OF all the community whose good opn'
ion was desirable TO maa OF true integrity.
But must hasten on The bow-up OF the insolvent
banks Of the State greatly sreng hened the democratic
parydemonstratng the patriotism OF Ills warfare OF nve
or six years. duration Indeed. that event secured tri
umph Tor the democracy Tor the fret time in the State
10 the spring Of General Downs was chosen TO be
delegate for the State at large in the Baltimore Conven-
tion and instructed to support Mr. Van Buren lie was
the same time nominated candidate Tor presidential
elccor by the democratic State convention.
On the PRONUNCIATION Of the anti Texas letter OF Ml.
made. General Downs promptly threw them up, al
cgng that he could not support traitor 10 the principles
of democracy But after Mr.. Polk nominated, at
the request Of the State central committee he resumed
his position candidate for elector n the discharge
OF his duty candidate for eecior, on the l9h OF June
Union, the elaborate, carefully prepared, and pow
erful argument in favor OF the annexation OF Texas
which, a. tar as my reading extends me canvass po-
duced This was printed in large numbers BY the
democracy and in every direction over the South
west furnishing the speakers and writers OF our party
with by far the extensive and convincing collection
Of proof from the record brought 10 bear n favor of
that great OF the democracy. As before remark
ed. he was chosen an eecor. and voted Tor James n
On the occurrence of the first vacancy from Louisiana
in the United States Senate after the election OF lS44
General Downs. without solicitation. was unanimously
nominated by the democratic members OF the legislature
and rumphany elected TO that honorable post in which
his has been marked by quiet labor and retiring
modes'y. He has. however. in washington added not
As chairman of the Senate's Committee Private Land
Claims his indefagable habits and extensive legal al
tainmenis have been OF great service IN obtaining for
honest claimants their Dues and guarding the public
treasury against unjust demands AS one Of the Judiciary
Committee to whom was referred the bill OF Senator
Douglas for the admission OF California as State, he
made minority report dissenting from the views OF his
fellow committee men upon the question OF the const-
tutionaity Of the famous proposition OF Mr. Douglas
and reviewing and refung the positions OF that paper
seridfm II will be recolected that the majority report
drawn up by Mr. Berrien, denying the constuonality OF
the measure went on 70 argue IRON me history
the new States by way OF sustaining this view General
Downs attacked these positions at the root showing that
in this Congress had been asked to do than
il had in fact prior date done virtually in the
OF Vermont and in that OF Kentucky The latter, when
admitted had no State constitution framed, nor indeed
for fourteen months after; and for laws, she then
entirely without hem-being in chaotic state.
His triumphant refuation Of the facts presented by the
majority. and consequently OF the conclusions drawn
from these facts made converts of sufficient number of
senators TO render apparent that majority stood ready
to enact some bill the principles OF that OF Mr. Doug
las, when satisfied that il could pass the other branch Of
Congress.
The speech Of Senator Downs on the '',en regiment
bill" regarded by Congress, without distinction OF
party, as perhaps the most conclusive defence OF the
policy and measures of the administration to which
that memorable debate gave rise This paper-fo il
was an elaborate State paper-embTaced the result OF
long labor. close investigation and proiound thought
tha cf.maf tiara helm
for his position, and in the possession OF all his powers
in full vigor Senator Downs bids fair TO win broadly
national reputation in the which special privilege is
destined wage. for the three four years against
the rights OF the States and the people OF the States
under the auspices Of the federal administration Of
in the Senate of the United States. in all that time,
field suited to render his peculiar talents and at
tainmens almost OF as much value TO the Union at
large they have been 10 the people OF Louisiana with
in the period particularly reviewed in this sketch.
Knowing the character Of his mind his abilities. and al
ainmenis and the history of his previous labors in be-
half Of sound republican progress, and also anticipating
the efforts which federalism will essay in the legislation
of the next Congress 10 take advantage OF the election
OF President Taylor the writer, in concuson, predicts,
il spared by Providence to his country he will come to
be regarded perhaps the main senatorial bulwark of
the democratic party in future contests over principles
sons readings OF law rights may be involved. can
not close this sketch without noticing the fate OF the
classmates Of General Downs when under the tuition OF
the Rev Mr. Craghead mentioned previously ;io their
story, full of ycissudes and sorrow, illustrates ie state
OF society and of the times in which General Downs per-
severed his labors for reform until they crowned
with triumphant OF the seven, fue are already
in the grave
Winn died the close Of 1910, victim to fatigue and
exposure the presidential campaign, and chagrn al the
defeai of Mr. Van Buren, Frederick Guion fell in duel
a, Naichez One OF the Whsons lost his life in the
cidenaI discharge OF pistol the other died from wound
received nj the battle OF San Jacnto Bosworth, who
since died in the service OF his country in the Mexican
war, had his right shattered pieces in furious
renconire; land General Downs hmeelf shot
through the lungs by muske ball in duel Yet there
was not among them not remarkable for sauvy OF
disposition.
The portion of this sketch which precedes written
and published June ls49 There remains TO be added
bring down the record 10 the present me brief review
OF the course OF Downs the compromise
ures of 1850 Few acted conspicuous part OF
had greater influence in bringing 10 satisfactory and sale
result those important exciting and dangerous questions
than he. No member OF the Thirty first Congress. or
other OF the nation, has less to regret in his
past action on ihem-none whose will better
stand the test OF time, the ordeal OF all human action
or has received, and will continue 10 receive, a
greater share OF the appreciation OF all good men and
true patriots of all sections. His course on this
subject is part OF the history OF his country, and
Requires no extended comment here. II may be stated in
a few words As cotton planter, largely interested 10
slave property and a senator from a State more largely
interested in IT, in proportion 10 her population than any
oiher State be strongly, and with great ability and sue
cess opposed the Wmot provso the abolition Of slavery
in the District OF Columbia and the slave trade between
the Sates-the assaults which the South had chiefly TO
contend against He advocated and was an active mem
h>ro thsC Thirteen.