The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-07-08


anniversary Of our independence far more animated than
usual and which everything seemed to combine 70 render
Joyous and nspiting the het Of the city was shocked
b, the announcement Of the death Of VIVA l. Marcy at
BIlstoh Jhe telerfaFh Offices had been closed during
dag and the Idings Only reached BY the passen-
gers Of the saratoga train n WINS contrrnrd with All
te particulars late in the day. and relatives and friends
fastened 10 tins scene Of death
The a~tl saddennass Of this event was the more i'm
presiYe, the honored statesman had been recently
among 10 receive the congratulations Of HE ieIlew-cti
Eens upon the vigorous health which he had carried
through many arnoas hbors. and 10 such eminence
II PosiSie He had Friday the day before his sah
visited the city and manifested buoysncy a health and
an collaboration Of spirits that promised 70 add many days
Of honor 10 fe already full Of years xnd rich ia fame
These hopes were vain indeed and the next day the
otlec 81 them was destined 10 answer the
rpIl-c 70 which Jefferson and Adams and Monroe had
been summoned to respond the anniversary Of the ma
tignal Independence Few had been so h0nored by
his country; few hsd repaid popularity by such signal
services
He descended from patriotic family of New Eng
land which had served with distinction in the French CO.
lonai and in the struggle for Independence and was
born December IL. I7ss, in stnrhridse triow South
bridge. Massachusetts He graduated Brown Unser-
s. Rhcds Island, IN lsos, and 30 Troy
hsnce the study Of the aw The Of lsl2 broke out
as he preparing To practise his profession and be
volunteered HIS services Gov Tompkns and served
lieutenant in company Of light infantry in which he
served with gaantry and efficiency IT the fortune
81 this company to take the first prisoners and 10 capture
the first flag by the land forces in that war
He was the efficient supporter and the confidential
friend OF Mr. Van Buren, and encounfering the hostility
OF the Cntonans, in Isl removed from the Office
Of recorder Of Troy 20 which he had been appointed by
Gov. Tompkns But he irnme iatcly nominated to
the office Of adutan general and upon the reorganiza
item Of the State under the constitution Of 1s2I he
chosen comptroller In ISIS he was appointed Justice Of
the supreme court which he resigned in order to take
in the United States Senate which place he agnin
resigned in order to accept the post Of governor which
the people had elected him. and which be held for three
terms, and In which he reputation for adinistra-
tive talent and popularity that afterwards assoc
ted his with that office Even his distinguished
the War Secretary Of President Polk and the
worldwide reputation he achieved as Secretary Of State
Of President Pierce did not ciace in the minds of the
people Of New York, the recollection Of his ability as
governor
His talents we're elninenty aini,iistratiye He had
been able Judge and eloquent senator but comp
troler and governor Of this sae and in the national
cabinet, he exhibited mastery II Office vt was equal 10
every emergency.
Ills derarcation Of the financial policy of the State
comptroller, and his messages governor be looked
back to memorials OF his wisdom and foresight
and the most radical Of the democrats who opposed
the Legislation OF the closing years of his State admins
tration find nothing in his messages State papers
which could encourage Legislative departure from the
rigid policy OF his predecessors
The same grasp Of mind and power Of commanding
details which distinguished his career in the State mark
ed his discharge Of the duties of the War Department
under Polk and Of the Secretayship Of state under
Pierce
In the first Of these administrations he was associated
with Mr., Buchanan, but the conduct of the war with
Mexico Fell peculiarly under his direction did the ne
gotatuas for peace under that of his distinguished col
league and the prpanptness yor and com leeness with
which he discharged his office hns perhaps never been
sufficiently appreciated The which the greates
nations Of Europe carried in the Crimea which reveal
ed SO many nperections of home administration and
which led to such inconsderablc resuR has since afforded
as standard 81 admeasnrement and Judged by it the
American cabinet stands far above that Of Europe in its
foresight and ccTrehensiyeness its rigor in action and
Its grasp Of results Nor in the diplomacy which it was
the oce Of Secretary Marcy to preside over under the
administration Of President Pierce did the reputation Of
the country suffer by the comparison with the highest
standards of European statesnsanslip His cnJity was
signal in the administrative arts OF peace as Of war
He was not politician His mind Ind been cast
Ia the larger mould of craftsmanship and he loved to
grasp and handle the great question of governmental in
terests and Of national controversy TheSte papers which
enanated from his pen admirable in style and bear
the evidence Of thcaghtfalness and rigor He was in
earlier Life frequent contributor TO the press and be first
unfoded his talents and obtained his reputation as
writer in the columns of this paper
But he had life apart from the public, 20 which his
family and friends alone had He had hedged IL
around and kept it sacred from intrusion by austery