New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-07-04

and effective CHAMPION Of the Protection of Home In
6usty He was the idol Of the Democracy of his dSy-
the oracle of its YOuth-the exposure of barrooms-
the standing toast at Fourth OfJuly dinners. He was
emphacsy thefavorite Of this City which never failed
10 give him large msjOrity-not even when be vas
running for Governor as the candidate and leader Of
the deadly enemies of that Canal Policy which has
msde New York what she is. And though beaten by
Clinton in their final and ony direct collision in the
cal of leo there be no doubt that Tonpkns
essential! popular and Clinton relatively un-
popular man. II was not Clinton but the Erie Canal
ard the rising West that that triumph The more
Democratic section of the State throughout the war
struggle the West. in S20 that the Canal ques-
ton was to il one of life or death and ir then learned
thar wholesome contempt OF party badges and catch
voTds-those marsh lights that lead 70 bevlder and
dazzle 10 blind"-whch has ever aimee been its hon
orabe dstiEction And so Daniel ID rompkns who
lsd been chosen Governor over veteran Statesman
while Yet Young aud undistinguished-vho had twice az
tervsrd trunpbed by increased msrties able and
esteemed competitors ard had been all bur unanimously
called from the Chief Magstracy of the State to the
YcePresidency Of he Marion while yet in his prime
vas VIGOROUSLY beaten on his old stumpinground only
four years LATER and home disappointed and hu
btd 10 sy down the heavy load of life leaving his rival
il the Governors chair, TO witness the consummaton
Of dis cherished policy in the marriage of the Great
Lakes with the Atlantic, to be twice more reelected
aesns the bterest opposition, and TO die Governor of
the Srate his measures had been immensely enriched
and benefited with the Premiership of the National
Administration 10 full view before him. And now it is
bur simple truth TO say that TOmpkins will be Indebted
10 Clinton for the monument which is TO commemorate
bis virtues and hand down his name to prosperity.
VIA were the essential grounds of this contrast
To our apprehension, the radical difference between
these two statesmen was this Tompkins was through
life blind deyOtee Of Party, aud regarded public meas
ures primarily as helps hndrances to his Partys as
cendsucy He had personal and abstract antipathy
TO the beneicent idea Of Government, as his ardent
and steady advocacy of Protection to Home Industry
demonstrates ard had his party naugura-ed and upheld
the Cana Policy, he would have been one Of that
policys foremost champions. But the party happened
lust then be developing in certain quarters che theory
originating Plantation Jealousy of the activity, intel
lieence and Elasticity of Free Labor that The world
is governed too much The best Government is that
which governs least" &c-calculated 70 discourage
Public Improvements Industrial Diverslhcation, y c.,
as Injurious TO the South because the North alone would
readily conform 10 and profit by them. decided ma
iority of the People of State favored the Canal
Policy but the Democratic party as such d net, and
Gov Tompkins went with the People he consistently
could but with the Party az all events Hence the
cloudy evening OF his career did not fulfil the sunny
promise of its morning.
Gov Clinton on the other and-colder, graver more
thoughtful penetrating-regarded party organza-
tons as means only not endsto be valued and cher
isbed only as they subserved and promoted practical
measures conducive TO Public Good He acted with this
or that party in order advance certain measures al
ready approved by his unbiased judgment, and did not
advocate the measures for the sake OF the party Ihs
course exposed him to temporary mis,oncepon andds'
tru.tto imputations of apOstacy, heartessnes trat
ticking and tsrgiversaontO reproach as althess de-
serter of old comrades and to suspicion on the part Of
new ones-but Time has already indicated and justified
him Faults be doubtless had for he was intensely
bilious and personally above reProach-but he needs
no statue to perpetuate his while the Erie Canal
shall exist and no contemplating the stone that
covers hs ashes will be likely at the grave of Temp
kins. 10 inquire" What was he or did be- that the
" People should esteem and honor him -