Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1856-06-20
Hon. william L. Marcy.

Hon. William l.. Marcy.
In an article ON the conclusion Of the
enlistment dispute. the Richmond Enquir-
Ier pays the following just tribute to the
present Secretary of State. Mr.. Marcy is
certainly one of our greatest statesman.
I" Now. If ever any particular policy
was justified by the event. the conduct of
the Administration in the enlistment con-
troyersy is certainly yindicated by the
present posture of the dispute. The least
display of harshness or precipitancy on
the part of this Government, would have
inevitably provoked resentment. and per-
haps have hopelessly complicated the diff.
ficnlty. Mr.. Marcy pursued different
course. Without abaiing the least OF his
demands. or betraying any Impotence of
feeling, he suffered the controversy to fol-
low natural order of development-nei-
Their unduly Fastening nor timidly post
poning the catastrophe. He did not of.
fend the egotism of the British governs
ment by teasing Importantly, nor tiatter
ito presumption by inconsiderate conces.
sion. Throughoutthe controversy he has
displayed courteous, temperate, butin-
exorable spirit. After driving the British
Ministry from position after position, and
discrediting all the arguments by which
they have sought to, shelter themselves.
he returned to his original demand, and
applied the proper remedy in firm. but
respectful temper. 1t was easy enough
to precipitate the conclusion but it was
inconceivably difficult to reconcile the de-
mands of our violated dignity. with the
sensitive scruples of British pride. Mr..
Marcy has accomplished this apparent
impossibility. lie has conducted avery
delicate controversy to a violent result,
without inflicting any shock on the public
mind. or disturbing the repose of the
country. He has achieved the object Of
his exertions, with the least possible sa-
criice Of security. He has satisfied the
national honor without endangeIing the
national interests. Never were prudence,
sagacity, skill frmness. and indeed all
the qualities of perfect diplomacy, so Gig.
nally displayed in any negotiation"
"lf there be man in eminent place, to
whom, next TO the President. the country
is under greater obligations at this mo.
ment than any other person, it is VIM. l..
Marcy. The Administration was inaug>
urated upon an impulse of FilIibusterism
The country was mad with fever of ra.
dicalism. aud seemed ready to precipitate
itself in crusade against the universe
Marcy was the conservative element in
the Cabinet. He set himself steadfastly
against all schemes which had not the
countenance of public law and national
honor. He repressed FilIibusterism.
He enforced the observance of treaty
obligations. In disputes with other gov>
ernments he displayed tile utmost mode.
ration of temper. consistent with an ener-
getic support of American rights. All
violence and precipitancy he opposed with
the counsels OF firm but courteous sa-
gacious craftsmanship. History will &C.
count it fortunate for the country, that In
time of unusual difficulty and danger.
its foreign policy was directed by states
man Of such unsel6sh ambition, and Of
such elevated and far.seeing wisdom. En-
the judg ment of posterity. Marcy will rank
with the most illustrious Of American
statesmen"