The Washington union., 1857-04-21

ornOr FLOYD, the pTeseht peSie'aiJ " ''"i' w."
greatest pleasure II is from the pen OF one oil the
n,ost gifted men Of the day Besides setting iorth
in the most graphic language, the talents and merits
Of tbe distinguished head of the War Department,
Il abounds in the most eloquent reflections upon the
position, duties, and principles OF The democratic
marty; and describes with indignant PATRIOTISM, the
character Of those who oppose it. We commend 1t
10 the careful perusal of all:
THE SECRETARY OF WAR.
ne father Of this eminent statesman himself an
,,on nerson and figured widely on the public stage
He filled the Office of governor OF Virginia during te III
tted peliOd Of service under the former cohsttuto
ami after that constitution amended ne was again
lcd 10 the Office the duties of which he always con-
ducted with honor dignity and ability lie was before
hat member of Congress- where his irmness, useful
ness and patriotism endeared lnni 70 the FA.on.
He was AN attractive sample OF that lofty and conr-
,aons race of upland Virginia gentlemen whose doors
were open to Distress who loved their friends who served
their country and defied its foes In early life he united
10 the culture OF the mind those manly exercises which
mnart grace TO the body and vgor and activity to the
muscles His manners gentle; his affections Kind
He was tender and sweet TO those who loved him but
ly and sour to all who dared to abuse the natural be-
neyolence of his disposition.
While in Congress, he pontei out the lnghty import
anee of opening our communications to the Pacific and,
as prelude, OF taking military possession OF Oregon lie
repeatedly urged Congress, but in vain TO appropriate
advance of other men, his project condemned as ro-
mantle and chimeric Yet the reasons and arguments
which he advanced have been since used In affecting that
public policy which he planned but never lived to per-
tct He died full OF honors, and deeply regretted by
mourning multitude
The mother Of the present Secretary of War was
daughter of General Francis Preston, OF southwestern
Virginia distinguished member OF leading and heroic
family and sister of VIM c. Preston the statesman and
orator Of South Carolina Thus both lines of his descent
impressed upon the present Secretary of War those he
reary traits which inspire the possessor with land-
able desire to pcrpetuate his family renown. Charles
James Fox loved the ennence Of Lord Holland, and
usped to srpass IT, Vim. Pitt was the ardent and indie
tirabc mtator Of the glory Of Chatham, and modelled
his reputation upon it, And the younger Floyd--the
snbiect OF this imperfect notice has successfully aimed
TO cserye and to pepetuate his family title to elnence
and horliTs.
Both the father and the were born and reared in
that delightful region of Virginia commonly called the
southwest and sometimes Little Tennessee; and by their
counsels family connexions and influence have widely
opened that prolific section OF our country to active cap
tai and competition.
father was in Congress- and to give the former the bene
fits arising from the wisdom and experience OF the latter
the son was placed ut Georgetown College, where ms
father could often and counsel him, and where he
compcted the usual OF academic studies On MS
return home to begin the active business OF life, young
Floyd had to select theatre suitable to his genius ana
aspirations In this country the eorrlscatos OF genius
like the northern light closely confined to tc polar
circle of law and politics They sometimes iumlnc the
battlefield sparkle in the closet medations OF phiio
sophica science. knowledge Of this prompted young
Floyd to study law and politics in successful compm
tion; and in these united pursuits most OF ms aborious
efforts have been fairly spent.
The promise of young Floyd to fill the of his
fathers fame was hailed in western Virginia with exulta
lion and delight. Gifted with precocy with eioquehce
and conscious power he began to argue law ques
tions with Judgment and success and to discuss among
the people the public questions which sorely divided po
itica parties He early took his stand upon the doc
t,n and
tended for construction Of the constitution according to
the spirit and agreement OF the parties to It, From this
honest creed he has sweryed and will, no
matter what the alluements OF power and the tempta
tions OF ambition may present for his acceptance.
In l8iG be took the field against General HARRISON
and showed by the cearest evidence that the doctrines
and principles which the General espoused were at open
war with the constitution and the sovereignty OF the
States and must unless resisted and crushed out, end
either in consolidation in dissolution OF the Union,
with all the drefi,l calamities of civil war With the
speeches of the General before him, he addressed the
people wherever he could collect them and by the
power of reason the blaze of eloquence and personal adj
dress he carried for the democratic party southwestern
Virginia by the precise majority which saved the Com
monweath from that dsgraceul pageant and hardclder
flood which swept the country and drowned the senses in
the deusions OF folly.
Since those stirring times which tried the metal OF
public men, he has been prominent in most Of the con-
ventions and debates which have marked the progress OF
politics and politicians.
In 1919 the Virginia assembly elected him governor of
The State, when the credit of the Commonwealth, in
Suancial aspect exhibited downward tendency, to an
aa.mng extent But it very began to revive un-
der te auspices of the statesman who placed upon
sure anu sod foundation ghe first message which Gov
FLOYD penae and submitted to the assembly displayed
knowledge of ionce and funess of resources which
must stand as lasting monument of genius, patriotism,
and sagacty And when the governor retired from ONCE
the credit Of the State Royer more solid and COM
msnding. Her public stocks scarcely saabe before al
any price, rose to H. A pat Of his message to the
legislature advised system Of nSspal improvement by
the several States most deeply ntcresd in the measure
10 begin at tide-wacr in Virginia. running through 'e
centre of the State crossing the Ohio, to bo bded AT
Louisville crossing the Mississippi in the same manner
at Grand Tower and reaching thence to California This
measure which he alone had the sagacity to compre-
bond and the readiness to propose has since been warm
ysupported aud the author deseryody commended for
his patriotism and penetration.
IN this gigantic and comprehensive system OF national
unity and welfare, shall ultimately behold the Genius
OF Commerce mmovaby seated her lofty throne diff
usng riches and sendor and power boundess seas
crowded towns and cultivated plains and leading all
ture out Of darkness into sunshine and Joy.
In 1856 Governor Floyd became convinced that no
other statesman but Mr. Buchanan coub defeat the fused
clements OF the opposition. With TINT foresight and
ankness which denote him truly he told the people So
sud went to Cincinnati aud impressed his convictions
upon the National Convention. He was especially i'm
psye in his mastery appeals 20 the Virginia delegates
20 vote unit and not to divide and DeuiTalize their
power in issne which staked the federal const
tuition and the Uaion itself and all concedc that,
without the standard bearer which the convention Sc
ected Pennsylvania wojd haze grounded her arms, and
hung her the post Under any other lead the
democratic party would have failed Tho demon OF dis