The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-07-22

contest between Mr. Clay and Mr. Polk very doubt
full and the democracy the free States held an equyo
cal and menacing attitude Mr. Walkers celebrated 71a,
later appeared He found the question sectional and BY
that mastery argument he made il national The reac
ton instantaneous and electric Mr. Polk became
President Docs this look like infdety TO the South
What better opportunity did politician have TO play
the tFaitortO pander TO sectional flnacSIn. 10 follow
the fortunes of Mr. Van Buren, throw himself into the
of MIR Cayl The whole North disposed to op-
pose annexation the wings Of the South with here and
there an exception under the banner OF their great lead
eF, in against it. southern democrats
statesman occupying the position Of Mr. Walker could
have decided the game against the South Is his fidelity
this great occasion forgotten
Mr.. Polk invited him into the cabinet He selected
the treasury Offering greater facilities for the inrodue
ton OF his avote theories Of the independent treasury
and free tdemeasuTes vital TO the South and long
the object Of its earnest but ahortve efforts New Eng
land and the North had vast capital invested in
factures Pennsylvania DIR. Walkers native State) in
iron and coal and all OF tem, irrespective Of party
cherished the deceptive idea that high duties make high
prices and essential 10 individual enterprise and pub
lie prosperity Even Mr. Calhoun the most sagacious
of his timesin early life had been affected by this
delusion and hence at period the fayorte cand
date OF Pennsylvania presidency Had Mr. Walker
been corrupt vacatiDg r ambitious what better occa
sion to bargain for power N gold Had he been tmid
me-seryer he would have shTunk before the fury
OF the tempest bartered his opinions for tine fvois Of
associated capital. But to his faith and 10 the
South, though draining at that period the very dregs OF
poverty he adlesed firmly free trade sustained by
series of luminous reports and witnessed its triumph in
this country and in Great Britain, where hs famous
gument, motion of Sir Robert Peel MA printed and
laid before Parliament and led 10 the Adoption the
system.
During the trying period Of the war with Mexico when
army of invasion to be nAintained he exhibited
trascendent financial abilities thus demonstrating the
efficacy Of the independent treasury and fixing II forever
an institution of the republic.
Thus sirs have briefly traced the career Of this em
nent statesman He has since been strictly private cit
zen but the pioneer and strenuous advocate Of that great
southern ilrnad connexion with the Paec which the en-
terprse Of New Orleans, think is destined to accom-
pish. Ii lie took course ON the Compromise which
some of us did not approve correctly understood
tit enough for his yindcaon TO say that thousands
of southern men, of acknowledged patriotism, pur-
sued similar course and in full fellowship with
the party.
In the late presidential contest he made distinguished
efforts for Mr. Buchanan whose views upon all great
questions them now well knownwho is for the
South well for the North and it is not to be pre-
sumed that who medtated the robbery of the
South or treason to the Union would have exerted him
self for James Buchanan
When Mr. Buchanan considering the organization
of his cabinet large majority of the southern members
recommended Mr.. Walker.
His position, as understand it, is question OF time
All ask of you is your patience and to hear his expa
nation. Judge him by the future hight toned press
like and your able contemporaries conducted with
great ability and fortressed in the confidence Of the peo
pie may inct irreparable injury upon public character
hitherto unimpeached.
For myself not having seen the Topeka speech, hav-
ing firm faith in whom have seen tried and tri-
umphant through many ordcals of trouble and tempta-
appreciate
Absentem qui rolit anieum;
Qn non deenait alio eulpaute,
He niger est hume ia Romano cavetel
With much respect your friend and servant
J. F. H. CLAIBORNE
SHIELDsBono Miss July 6, 1857.