The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-03-08


sss. where he served with honorable distinction, and
gaiued such we'll grounded popularity. that he was
elected in 1910, when the hard cider mania carried that
State SO hemingly agns the democracy. lie was
then admittedly the leader OF the party In lo42 he
was again elected and was chosen speaker OF the
house over an older and very popular competitor. In
ls43 he elected 70 Congress by majority OF $500
over the most popular leader OF the federal party, in dis
,fet which at the previous election whig maorty
Of 500 He twice re-eecedto Congress- and served
ia Thai body until the 4h OF March, is4e having the fall
before declined another election, In Congress he
placed upon the Committee Commerce, OF which he
was chairman during his last term and the members OF
that committee presented him valuable cane in token OF
their appreciation OF his signal services, ability and in
dusy their chairman. he was distinguished IN Con-
gress for sterling ability. patient industry, aneompIo-
missing integrity and stern hdey 10 ms dqles ana hs
speeches gave proof OF strong, we'll balanced mind,
sound Judgment and great practical Information anu
when he retired from that body all OF his associates oil
all partes felt that the House had lost one oil It's aoies
And most ussIul members Mr. McClelland was mem
Der of the convention called TO revise the consutu-
ton OF Michigan. which met in lS4ei ana lhe SUE
cesding year. $780, be selected AS lhe aelhoeiao
rand;dste for governor of that Stale, 10 winch ounce
he was elected by over 1000 majority IN most eAsiteu
cones, with the combined forces oil whsseiy anu ~
retire at the close Of hs term, but the Stale convention
renominated him last FALL and ne was pre-
vailed upon to accept and reelected IN November Dy
ms;oritv of over 900 The whole career OF Governor
McClelland, of which we have given bGt an Imperfect
sketch, proves him 10 possess The essential
been called-ablty oil high order, unquestloned integ
v great practical Knowledge sound Judgment, and un
common industry We confidently predict that he will
make very able and popular Secretary worthy OF the
administration with which he is connected.
There is moi in the country more competent man for
Secretary of War than Gen, Jefferson Davis OF Mssis
sipp Eminent as statesman and distinguished as a
soider-a man OF superior talents and OF thorough edu
cation Of ss great , sss aad
Rcatons for the position to which ne mas oeen called
Unfortunately have not at hand the materials Tor
full sketch OF his life. He educated at the w est
Point Military Academy, and joined the army as leu
tenant after completing the prescribed course Oh studies
there He remained in the army number o. years, and
rose 10 the rank OF lieutenant colonel we believes when
he resigned his commission He was Afterwards elected
TO Congress- where he served six or eight years lie was
distinguished in Congress for his ability industry and de
yotion to his duties, and was universally regarded
"A one OF the abest in the House lie was IN
Congress when the Mexican war broke OUT ana resigned
his seat went to Mississippi raised shs If
Genera TAYLOR His services in that war are well re-
membered by our readers II is not too much TO that
no officer of that army did more gallant service or won
more deserved honor than JEFF. Davis In the famous
battle Of Buena Vista, in particular, Davis and his gal
liant remen conspicuous Tor their daring courage
and aYecution and contributed immensely and probably
decsyey to the triumphant result OF that hard fought
battle, as the official reports abundany testify In that
battle he received severe wound which rendered MN
cripple for a long time Soon after, he was appointed
brigader general by President Pok but The severity OF
his wound prevented farther active participation IN the
war Soon after his return in lS47 ne was elected TO
the Senate out expIred term, BY nearly
unanimous vote of the legislature oil his State and was
reelected for six years in 1850 In that body he was re
garded as very able and valuable member He resigned
Els seat in the Senate in 1851 His experience soldier
has made him familiar with the entire organization
OF the army, It's mperfechons and It's wantsan lnds-
pensable qualification in efficient head OF the War
Department which has been sadly wanting there during
the last four years. Combining this qualification with
his admitted capacity as statesman his great energy
and decision of character and his well known devotion
10 most rigid economy in the national expenditures, his
administration of the War Department will be found most
sgnaly effective the reformation OF existing abuses
and in the development OF the highest degree OF practical
efficiency.
Hon. James C. Dobbin, the Secretary OF the Navy
was born in Fayetteville North Carolina IN the year
1914 Ia therefore thirty nine years Oh age being The
Youngest member OF the cabinet. His father was Tor
many years an emineny successful merchant OF that
place, and his mother the daughter OF Hon. James
Cochrsne. distinguished and orthodox democrauc mem.
Der Of Congress during the war OF lsl2-'i4 Mr. Dob
bin graduated the University OF North Carolina in
1884, and entered Immediately upon the study OF the law
in the Office OF the distinguished statesman, Hon. Robert
Strange Upon his admission to the bar he entered upon
a lucrative and extensive practice, declining all political
prefeLnent until ls45. when he was unanimously NOM
mated for member of Congress by the democratic con.
venlion for his district and was elected by majority OF
over 1000 votes In The succeeding Congress Qhe 29th)
he proved himself able and Jealous supporter OF Mr..
Folks administration. His speeches upon the Oregon
question, the Florida contested election and the policy oil
the administration, enduring monuments oil his learn
ing. ability vigor, and sta,esmanke requirements AT
the close Of his he peremptoly declined Ie-eec
OD preteTng 10 return 10 tne Pacce Oh MS profession
His business was large, and his professional pursuits
far coDgenlal to his tastes and wishes than
political life. On his return TO his profession he was
emnenly successful-od clients returned TO him. and
brought new with them, and he achieved solid
and enduring reputation theatre where men OF weak
inellecs never succeed But he was not allowed TO re-
main in private life when the interests OF his native State
required his services elsewhere. North Carolina had
reached critical period in her history; her credit was
nearly ruined; she had lost large sums OF money; all OF
her internal Improvement, schemes had proved unsuc.
cessiul, and the public mind had become excited 10 a
fearful extent regard 10 her domestic affairs Al this
juncure MIR. Dobbln called 10 the popular branch OF
the legislature and there he fearlessly and successfully
the occasion. and originated and pressed through
He introduced and effected the passage of the first plank
road BILL and entire system OF improvements which has
proved OF ncacuabe advantage TO that State After this
Mr. Dobbn reelected a number OF times, and was
chosen speaker AT the late he selected the
democratic candidate for United States senator, but
defeated by the facous course oil va much TO the re-
great and disappointment of the entire democracy OF his
State Mr. Dobbin was at the head OF the delegation
from his Stale the Baltimore Convention, and probably
il ia not too much say that IN that body did
much towards harmonizng the excited and conflicting
elements which at period threatened It's dissolution
without making any nominations. On the asth ballot
General Pierce had but SIS votes, the largest number he
had received The 4eih ballot commenced and Twelve
States had voted with but changes from the previous
ballot Then the Stale OF North Carolina called,
Mr. Dobbn rose and in most eloquent, beautiful, and APP
propate little speech touched the very heart OF the
venon, and sent electric shock through il which
changed the spirit Of dscord and strife into cordial and
nthusasc union and secured the triumphant nomna-
ton Of General Pierce upon that ballot After auding
the votes of the North Carolina delegation foI other
candidates, he said
Z w Il A., ,ha all,