Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-12-25


topics Of absorbing interest. The leading poll
ticians of that period were men of uncommon
power and large experience, conscious OF their
right to be heard on all questions touching ths
liberties Of the country, and resolute IN main
tanning it.
The connection of the father of Mr.. Dallas
with the founders of the Democratic party,
gained for the son an easy access, though yet
youthful, to the circle of their influence,
whence he gained impressions, which soon
ripened into the principles which have ever
since controlled his public conduct.
In 1912, soon after the declaration of war by
the Congress of the United States against
Great Britain, Mr.. Dallas joined a company Of
volunteers with view to military duty, from
| which he was recalled for another patriotic EN-.
ployment. Albert Gallatn was about to pro-
coed to Russia, upon the mission which termi-
mated in the treaty of Client, and having Sc
lected Mr.. Dallas as his private secretary, his
military engagements were dissolved, and
few days afterwards he left the United States.
| From st. Petersburg he was despatched by Mr..
| Gallatn and j. @. Adams, the Minister of the
| United States at that Court, to London, on
business connected with the mission, which
accomplished, he repaired to Client During
a residence OF several months at the place last
| mentioned, Mr.. Dallas was in daily and init
mate intercourse with the distinguished states
men by whom the negotiations were conducted;
an opportunity of which he made the best ad-
vantage. On his return to the United States,
he was appointed Remitter of the Treasury, an
office which he held about year and halt,
| when he resigned it and returned to Philadel-
pha.
His first appearance in the arena of party
politics, was on the 4th of July, 1915, within q
twelve month after his return from Client. On
| this occasion, by invitation Of the Democratic
party of Philadelphia, he delivered an Grafton,
| in which he reviewed the grounds OF contro-
versy between the United States and Great
| Britain. In this effort, it was easy 10 perceive
the effects of his political training. Regarding
/ this occasion the commencement Of his ca.
reer as politician, his progress hitherto has
Deen correctly described as an exempli6cation
or illustration of the great principles Of govern
| ment settled upon as early as 1901 and thence
| forward adopted as the political faith of the
Democratic party.
| -Four years afterwards, lin 1879 when the
principle of the Missouri Compromise was first
proposed and began to be earnestly discussed
throughout the country, Mr. Dallas formed and
expressed decided opinion against the consti
tutionalily Of that expedient; to which opinion
he has ever since steadily adhered. AS late as
l847, while Vice President of the United States,
in speech of considerable length, publicly de-
livered at Pittsburg, he reiterated and emphati-
cally.enforced the same opinion, declaring his
firm conviction that Congress had no rightful
power to intermeddle in that matter. s
Passing, we must in this address, all mat
tiers of minor moment, we come down to the
year 1924, near the close of Mr.. Monroe's adj
minstration. At that time Mr.. Dallas took a
conspicuous part in promoting the election of
General Jackson. Although he greatly admired
the craftsmanship and abilities of Mr.Calhoun,
who had been nominated in several Of the
States for the office of President, yet, with a
view to unite the whole Democratic party, he
yielded his preference for-the distinguished Ca
rohnian, and with that gentleman's knowledge
and consent, at public meeting held in Phila-
delphia, withdrew his name for that office, and
proposed him as the candidate of the Demo.
cratic party of Pennsylvania, for the office of
Vice President. This movement was seconded
with great enthusiasm throughout the country
Mr. Calhoun was elected to the office Of Vice
President, but General Jackson failed at that
time, of an election by the people.
In the succeeding Presidential election, Mr..
Dallas again took prominent and decided
part in the support of the same distinguished
man. His exertions at that time contributed
in Pennsylvania, and indeed throughout the
country.
In 1881, Mr.. Dallas appeared in the Senate
of the United States as representative of
Pennsylvania He participated largely and
with marked ability in debate, always faithfully
obeying the instructions Of the State he repre-
scented, whenever given.
In 1887, Mr.. Dallas was appointed Minister
Plenipoteniiary Of the United States at the
Court Of ST. Petersbnrg-a mission which he
fulfilled with watchful regard to the interests
and dignity of the country. He was recalled
in 1889, at his own request
In 1874 he was nominated by the Demo
cratic party for the Office Of Vice President of
the United States, and in December of that
year was elected TO that high station. Thus
was be introduced, second time, to the Sen.
ate of the United States, bnt in new relations
and with new functions, According to the
conception Of the trainers of the Constitution.
the Vice President belongs exclusively TO the
Executive branch of the Government he is
present in the Senate as the representative of
all the States; not, however, TO participate in
the debates Of that body, nor even In its acts,
except in the single emergency Of tie vote,
nor then, as a Senator representing single
member Of the confederacy, but to cast the
vote OF the nation.
OF the ability of Mr.. Dallas as a presiding
officer, it is sufficient 10 say, that among the
many distinguished Presidents Of that august
assembly Of statesmen, none has ever enioyed
in larger measure, The respect and confidence
Of lis members, nor impaired greater dignity
to their deliberations by his presence and off,
cial decorum.
1t is well known that the tariff of 1876 was
enacted into q law by bis vote--a measure, the
beneficial effects Of which have been and at
this moment are felt at every Preside in the ma
ton. In casting il, he illustrated controlling
principle Of his political life-obedienc to the
will Of his constituents-under circumstances
which unequivocally tested bis patriotic attach
ment to the Constitution, and the moral firm |
ness Of his character.
1t is not extravagant to say that never, at
any other period, in the political history Of the
nation, have so important, so diversified, so |
comprehensive and complicated interests been |
poised upon single vote. 1t established |
system Of revenue, more productive to the Nd |
tional Treasury, less burthepsome 10 the peo |