The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-10-23

GOVERNOR RENcHER

For the Union
GOVERNOR RENCHER
The appointment Of this distinguished gentleman as
governor of the Territory Of New Mexico has given the
country another Of tho entire fitness Of Pes
dent Buchanan and his advisers for the varied duties i'm
posed upon them guardians of all the great and
prehensive interests Of powerful and growing nation
Gov Rencher is his way to the important
duties Of his position bearing with him the good
WILL esteem and confidence of the country generally He
will western plains under government escort
Perhaps few points in his life and character would
now be devoid Of interest to the country. They
sketched hastily and from memory
He was born in Wake county, North Carolina was
educated the university of his native State where he
graduated with honor in 1922 In his class Bishops
Davis and Polk and others distinguished in law politics
and religion In his graduation effort he portrayed with
much force and beauty .'The character Of Lord Byrots
poetry. Immediately upon receiving his degree he com
menced the study of the law in Hillsborough with Chief
Justice Nash Being admitted to the bar he settled in
Peterborough Chatham county His abilities and attain
ments at threw him into lucrative practice. But
he gave most promising position at the bar
and entered the exciting of politics. Here
too, he met with brilliant
He took the field for Congress, and most aatter
took his the youngest member of the House Of
Representatives in 1929 and served with great popularity
and satisfaction to his constituents continuously until
1889 He then declined reelection by reason of III
health; but again returned to the house In ls4l.
President Tyler appointed him in ls43 charge daares
of the United States Portugal This responsible posi-
ton he filed for four years. dischargng its duties In
alike honorable to himself and the government
he represented Since his return from Europe he has
sided at Green Brook beautiful and
little farm in the immediate vicinity of Peterborough
and model thorough, systematic, and success
full farmer. As member of the Baltimore Convention
in 1852 he took prominent part in framing the platform
which President Pierce nominated, and in the
presidential campaign of the year he served
elector the Pierce and King ticket and it is but little
to say that of his colleagues labored with
ZEAL with ability, and with more than did
he. He twice candidate for the State Legislature in
Chatham county with almost certain prospects Of defeat
before him The odds We're too strong to be overturned
in day All admit his mighty influence in changing
public sentiment in that county to its present tone Of de-
cded democracy His speeches such as to convince
but it required time and the abatement of high political
excitement to remove prejudices
For sound Judgment just and discriminating estimates
of and measures he had few equals and perhaps
superiors in the Old North State As an orator he Is
always interesting, orcble, and vigorous indu
ging in those great boreslong speeches. His compre
hensve mind gsps at the full scope of the subject
and by bringing strong masculine common sense, plain,
logical and conclusive reasoning to bear directly upon
the point at ISSUE fails in producing decided effect
Seldom does he attempt imaginative fights and never
does he permit metaphor, trope, figure to impair his
argument During his congressional he char
acerize for his punctuality and diligence working
rather than speaking member. He seldom addressed
-rr-
portance, and his pointed arguments and wclldefncd
opinions failed to command most respectful and
consderate hearing His speech upon the contested ele
ton which up from the 9Th congressional district Of
North Carolina exhibits great beauty of expression
strength Of thought and compactness Of reasoning.
His circular letters to his constituents written in
terse manly STYLE and contain staesinanlke views OF
the administrative policy OF government and are ex
ceent rfsm<s of domestic and foreign relations at
the time No constituency kept better informed
of the dongs in Congress and the general state Of the
government than were HE.
IA politician, Gov. Renchcr is unassuming honest
and moderate yet bold and fearless He is incapable Of
anything little or mean and no quirks and subteruges
of the demagogue soed his escutchoon Where duty
and patriotism lead there does he follow regardless Of
personal consequences. When new issue is sprung,
he is not the to stand aai5us oc to catch the
first whisperngs of the popular breeze his opinions on
public affairs always taking their shape from adherence TO
princples--never from policy.
Governor Rencher, like most public men Of strongly
marked characters has not escaped the vilifcaon and
abuse of enemies but neither designing hypocrites
INSCRIPTIONS political and personal enemies have
been able asten him any derclicon Sinking Of
duty, or much equyocation. But time and
the cessation of high political excitement hays brought
him many honorable amends for wrongs done during the
times and by OF such excitement.
In all the relations of master neghbor friend, hus-
band and parent Mr. Rencher is kind, hosptabe, open,
generous and aectonate character always inspiring
respect and esteem but familiarity As business
he is punctual exact and reliableseldom, ever,
failing to meet business engagement himself he has
little patience with those who do
Governor Renchers long experience in public life, his
uncommonly sound Judgment his incoruptibe integrity,
and administrative abilities give to the coun-
try of an able administration of the affairs Of the Terri
tory of New Mexico Chatham county has lost its star
North Carolina OF IFS abIest, trnest, and most re
able men but the general government has gained an eh
Gent officer New Mexico we'll suited 10 be her
governor and the present administration has done honor
to itself in honoring this son Of North Carolina
ocroBKR 10, 1851.
San Domingo letter says that General Santa Anna