Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-11-25
AN AMERICAN sTATEsMAN-wM.L L. MARCY.

The New York Journal ot Commerce expresses d
wish that Mr.. Marcy may be retained at the head OF
the State Department under the incoming Admins.
tration. With the construction of Mr.. Buchanans
Cabinet we have no special or personal concern-
The matter interests us only as 1t affects every other
citizen who places the public welfare above the aspi.
rations of individuals.
Still, while scrupulously aba.aining from any at.
tempt to influence the President eec, in the choice of
his Cabinet, either by insdious suggestion ormperti-
nent advice, we may consistently endorse the wel.-
deserved compliment which our New York conteln-
porary pays to the abilities and services Of the present
Secretary of State.
Under the Administration OF President Polk Mr.
Marcy discovered very extraordinary executive ca
pacity. Some people miStTusted. nevertheless, whe-
ther he possessed the breadth of view and funess OF
information essential to the discharge Of the srduous
and multiform duties Of the State Department. How
entirely this doubt has been dissipated, and how
sgnally Mr.. Marcy has illustrated well his pro-
found and comprehensive craftsmanship as his un"p
proechabe power in controversy, we need not attempt
to establish by recital of his achievements within
the last four years 1t is enough to recall his CORES.
pondence with Clarendon, his reply to the PROPOSE
tons of the Paris Conference bis discussion OF Cen.
tral American affairs his triumph in the Enlistment
dispute his conclusion of the Reciprocity treaty, his
decisive blow at the abuse of the Sound and Stade
exactions-it s sufficient to produce these instances
of his extraordinary poemical ab7ity and his faml-
arity with the politics and diplomacy Of Europe in
| support of his claim TO rank among the foremost
statesmen OF the age
The demand for special order of talent
is apt to stimulate its development. But the
complications Of European diplomacy since the
rupture Of relations between Russia and the
Western Powers, has produced 10 statesman who
begins to be a match for our Marcy. In contrast
with the rugged vigor of his grand intellect, how in
fnitesinay small seem the little abilities of Lord
John RUSSELL the arisocratic imbecility OF Claren'
don, the supercious ignorance OF Wnlewski, or even
the nice refnements and unsubstsntal combinations Of
the veteran Nesselrode BY what al immeasurable dis
tance do the stale expediens and the empty common
places Of these European masters in diplomacy, tai
below the rich resources and original powers OF out
Secretary of State. His intrusion, in the matter
of the Danish Dues, among the titled rcksters who
manage the politics of Europe, created precisely such
a CONSERVATION would be produced by ths appear
screamed and scampered and swore that Satan him
self was coming take hand in their game.
men like Marcy conducted the diplomacy Of Europe
the Conference of Vienna would have been somethn!
better than miserable abortion, aud the patch
peace of Paris would not promise so plentiful croI
of intrigue and disputatlon.
That we do not rate our Secretary above the esti
mate of European politicians, any man may satisiI
himself by collecting the opinions of the European
press on the settlement of the enlistment dispute, tn
conduct of the controversy about the Danish Dues
and the reply to the propositions of the Paris Con
gress n respect to certain notifications in the usage
of maritime warfare.
But the highest attestation of Mr.. Marcy's states
manship is implied in the universal confidence whlc
the people Of this country repose in his characte
and ability. Averse from rash counses yet vigilar
in promoting the national interests and resoluse !
avenging national wrongs-csutious, conservative,
ripe experience, interchangeable in labor, and anm'
ted with the trucst spirit Of PATRIOTISM he is sta e
man of whom the country may we'll be proud
least this poor appreciation Of his character is NJ
| inappropriate at the close Di his service.