The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-01-25


A, EprroR: In discussing in advance the relative
,as6caions and merits OF the several distinguished
smocrats now actively urged by their friends for the
ol nominations to be made at Baltimore in June. you
nave wisely determined 10 take part, restricting your
III 10 The declaration that when made they shall
-. your cordial and Jealous support This determine
IN was alike due 10 the consistent course OF the
= JTn;ons in former times, and 10 the harmony and neg
M II The party in the present, not less than TO the
disturbed consideration OF It's great principles and meas
s required by your dgnihed position and duties at the
sai of the federal government and your unimpaIed
usefulness
NAV hope that il will involve departure from your
determination 10 admit into your columns thoughts
from a private citizen, asking endorsement oil them at
your hands, but simply opportunity OF giving them
expression
sOes 10 the nomination for the first great post in vew
youd be ahabinger that all would hail il the democratic
sentiment Of the country could be brought to unite upon
,he second II so. il remember rightly in the case
o The lsmenied Calhoun. Why may not be so again
Should the National Convention confer the principal
nomination upon any OF the distinguished citizens.
whose names are at present before the country rom.the
North. Northwest, or midde-in other words, from any
Of the non OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES know OF citizen bet
Ter qualified for the vice presidency, or upon whom the
friends OF other candidates could better unite-cerainly
more apt insure its Andrew Stevenson OF
Virginia
Elected TO the legislature Of that ancient Common
wealth when barely OF age he was soon afterwards
elected speaker Of the house OF delegates, and served in
that capacity for several yearshis annual reelection
eyncng the and value OF his services that
early period Of his lfe Elected TO Congress afterwards
he received the high compliment, OF the nomination for
Speaker of the House of Representatives, upon the
mencement Of General Jacksons administration, and was
chosen to that post in the atterng Manner deliver
ing an address the occasion from the Speakers chair
which those who heard to have been not less
distinguished for wise and patriotic sentiments than ee
walton OF thought and language
OF the able--I going to say the triumphant-man-
ner in which Mr. Stevenson discharged the duties of the
chair, how many living witnesses remain throughout
the length and breadth OF the confederacy How many
before whom possibly these lines may pass, the North,
and the South, and The remote West II may be that
those duties painfully responsible and toilsome
and vast then as now. They stormy times-those
Jackson days. and the clear head and stout heart. and
resouie WILL and patriotic purpose, were perhaps quite
as essential then now, in estimating the quail
hcaons Of Speaker Of the House OF Representatives
Then as now-perhaps even more than nowhere
were opinions and all other elements OF the fercest
conflicting character TO reconcile and subdue the same
boiling cauldron 10 keep down; The same tempest
TO allay the OF equal justice
10 be meed OUT the amount OF to detect and
Of great principles and measures 10 promote The Iris
tram Burgesses, The McDues, the Metcalfes, the Trim
bes. the Sulherands. the Bells, the John c. Wrghts
impaired the House it's full share OF commanding tai
ent 10 build up destroy, and TO its deliberations its full
proportion OF keen and angry discussion Sectional top
les rife, sectional eaousies high, partisan
warfare unrelenting In the midst OF ALL Mr. Speaker
Stevenson stood firm. proving himself equal TO any and
all, towering above all, and dsposng all while the
hnsn M he
the country went on and prospered.
Since the days of Clay the House had never had so
good Speaker-one who exercised prompt and pow
eisi sweep, tempered with dignity and courtesy, over
the heated passions OF that mulludinous assembly, and
il his triumphant reelection for four successive be
any evidence oil the OF the House OF the manner in
which The chair filled and its authority sustained
perhaps il may not be thought invdious say that the
House has had no better Speaker since
But il is not designed 10 enter at large into that broad
field Of Mr. S,evensons service TO attempt recall
than has thus imperfecty been glanced at of the
history Of those por,enous days.
In 1896, his health having been much impaired and
shattered by his arduous duties Speaker for eight con-
sscutve years. Mr. Stevenson appointed by General
Jackson Minister OF The United States TO Great Britain
and it was high distinction from such source He
continued in that mission I'LL the latter part OF Al
longer s believed, than any OF our ministers in that
country. with the exception OF Mr.. King (Ruus) and Mr.
Rush.
In the wide sphere OF patriotic service open 10 an
American minister accredited TO great empire like Eng
land in the ability seize the right occasion TO do the
right thing for bis country at the right me often in the
absence OF instructions; faithfully TO represent her great
interests, maintain her rights, and uphold her honor
and dignity al all times with self reliance 10 meet emer.
gencies, and judgment calm well prompt in difficult
conuncures aided by conclaiory dispositions ever act
i've preserve and promote the harmony OF both coun-
uss Mr. Stevenson sustained throughout his high repu-
iaion.
II would extend this communication 10 undue length 10
attempt to enumeraie specify all the occasions upon
which he rendered his country signal benefit through
ouhts official residence in England OF upwards OF five
years but perhaps his correspondence on file in the de-
pament OF State throughout the exciting period OF the
northeastern boundary dispute with the kindred subjects
OF the outrage upon the Caroline and other cases grow
ing out Of the border difficulties. among them the case
case, in any one Of which war seemed at one moment
inevitable, and his fortunate adjustment OF the
OF the Comet, Encomum, and Enterprise, referred by
ths lamened Calhoun in terms OF commendaiion. in
which upwards OF hundred thousand dollars were
recovered from the British government compensation
TO the OF the slaves chiey citizens OF South
Csona) wrecked board those vessels of the Bahamas
and liberated by the British authorities under their claim
Of rght-recovered after hard fight between Steven
soa on the side. and Palmerston (of whom much
has been sad and deservedy sad OF lae) on the other
the pages OF diplomacy apt showpcrhaps these
matters may at least be referred in confirmation OF the
opinion advanced above, that Minister TO England, Mr.