The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1857-07-18
William L.. Marcy.

room at Ballston at noon yesterday. He
closed his SEVENTEEN year in December last.
In his death the Democratic party loses one
of its ablest leaders, and the Union saga
cious, prudent and incorruptib!e statesman.
He is to be buried at Albany on Wednesday.
William l.. Marcy was born at Sturbridge,
Worcester county, Massachusetts,, Deem
her l2th 1889. His parents were in COM
Portable circumstances, and gave him a good
education, which was completed at Brown
University, whence he graduated with honor
in 1868. lie soon after settled in Troy as a
lawyer, but devoted himself mainly to poll
itics, which were then beginning TO be Of alb
soFbing interest. lmbued with the political
faith of jefferson, be ardcntly supported the
ernor Tompkins werS>ehc leading opponents.
He ardently supported the Declaration Of
War against Great Britain. volunteered to
serve in SAID war, and is said to have cap
tured British flag in some skrmsh on our
Northern frontier. We believe, however,
that his services in council were deemed
more valuable than anything he could rem
der in the field.
In 1916 he was appointed Recorder of the
City of Troy, but, identifying himself with
the "Bucktail' opposition to Gov. Clinton,
he was removed in ISIS. In 1871. the Buck
tails accaded to power in the election of Gov.
Yates. and made Mr.. Marcy Adjutant Cen
eral, from which post he was transferred to
the more responsible one Of Controller in
le23. He thcreupon removed from Troy to
Albany, which city he has ever since consid-
cred his home. He soon became a member
of the famed ''Albany Regency" az nssoca-
ton Of able and energetic politicians, BY
whom the politics of our State were mainly
directed for a number Of years. In 1929, he
was appointed a Justice Of our Supreme
Court, and in 1881 transferred thence to the
United States Senate. wherein he served
with distinction until the close Of 1880. when
be was elected Governor over Francis Gran
ger. at the same time that Gen. jackson was
re-chosen to the Presidency. In 1884, his
election for Governor was opposed by VIII
liam IL. Seward, but he was re- elected, as
he had been first chosen, by about $4,000
majority. In 1886, he was opposed by Jesse
Buel, whom he beat By nearly 10000 ma
jorIty- In 1888, he was supported for the
fourth and last time, but was for second
time, opposed by William II. Seward, who
was now elected by over 10000 majority,
after most animated contest. The election
now turned on the Financial policy which had
eliminated in the Specie Circular. Sub
Treasury and introduction of Small Bills;
and we believe there is no dispute as to the
fact that Coz. Marcy, while he had heartily
co-opsrated in the war on the [. 5. Bank,
would have chosen to stand aloof from these
measures of quasi hostility to the State
Banks. He has not since been candidate
for popular election.
Gov. Marcy returned 10 Office in lSi5, on
the accession of President Polk. who APP
pointed him Secretary Of War. We believe
Il to be generally conceded that be dis {!
charged the duties of this important post
with energy and marked ability, and that he |
signslly contributed therein to the general
vigor and success Of the war on Mexico
He retired of course with his superior on |
the accession Of Gen. Taylor to the Presi- .
deucy. He had supported Goa. Cass for I
President in Isis without sundering bis !
personal relations with the Van Burens. Z
Camhreling, Dix, and other leaders of the ,
Eree-soI Democracy. and be became an
early aud eiEeient negotiator for that re-
gn!9a Of the party which was so completely /.
contaminated In the contest Of ls5e. I
Gen. Pierce IA assuming the presidencv. I
offered him tie portfolio Of the State de- .
par,asai, whieb he accepted. though his .
tastes aEi pursuits had hitherto led him F.
swsy from the Geld Of Foreign Politics.
Probably no gEcanee Secretary Of State es- i
er entered gpaa the duties of thai post. vet !
few o. none ever Rlled il more effectively. /
Several ef his State Papers will long be
treasured and admired. and he may be said +
to have reaSeteSI honor even on the Admin
istrat5an of Tea Pteges~-au achievement 10 ,
which tew men wsaid bare proved equal.
That Ae WAS its good geaias was very gen +
orally realized. That be never approved
nor eeentsaaneasi the violation Of The Ms
sour Compact il hsyansl doubt; and iaiS is
sli the foundation there ever was for the
Southern report that be was about to Join
the Black Republicans" Had be yielded
to ais aataFsa impulses. la 1854. resigned
his SEQ: ID tas Cabinet, and plssed himself
az the bead of the opposition 10 naaglss's
Nebraska pslsey. be aigbs perhaps, have
ds~a Frv~3daas 81 the In4sssa States. Basa
tsey- u. WAS ssssnel 10 tAas ii ssta8sl pos.:.-
cad ses2eai ~hiea halds 7s better Ia &c wrenS
10 the UssEosraSse party than rigas ogs. Of Il,
AID rs lsved aai died IN conformity wisA
that ssrar. h
Ia pe-sn. Gov Y FasssgI saa sssonzsv
essis, tasssga ssooF 10 his Ezis, wiss
sa~aa and fzss walca bore uassis Ably sae ii
sssnp OF pnxsr. HIS manners we're fraax
aai saesrsnanssp. Ne kelievs be leaves
ssissas add sai, krwa..s. Y. TvssHne.