White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1857-10-08


constantly quoted in Parliament, and referred TO
by writer's on political economy. But they are
not the only enhsions Of Mr.. Walkers which
have made their mark abroad. When Mr.. Pierce
was inaugurated, he desired to avail himself of
the abilities of Mr.. Walker, and offered him the
mission to China, with the title of Commissioner.
Mr.. Walker accepted the offer, and drew up, for
the information Of the Cabinet, statemeEtof
his views regarding the policy which the United
States ought to pursue in that quarter of the
globe. Private respns prevented Mr.. Walkers
departure for China, and he staid at home. But,
by some accident, the note Of his views found its
way into the hands Of some members Of the Brit
ish Government, who Immediately pronounced
it to be the most statesman-like document ever
penned on the Chinese question. 1t struck them
so forcibly, that Lord Napier was specially in
structed to sndeavor to bring about the reap
pointment Of Mr.. Walker As minister to China.
1t is not unlikely that the delay which intsrve-
ned between Mr. Walkers appointment and his
departure for the Territory may be due to Lord
Napier's interference.
The life of Robert J. Walker has been active,
and, like that of many of our distinguished men,
striking instance Of precocious development.
Born in 1901, he was graduate with honors at
1s, lawyer at 90, member Of the State Dem
ocratic Committee at 81, Chairman Of Commit
tee at q, the nominor of Gen. Jackson for Pres
ident at %, and, at that juvenile age, the &C.
knoWledged leader of the Pennsylvania Democ-
racy. Born and bred in the North, allied by
marriage to one Of Pennsylvania noblest fami-
ies-the Baches-Mr. Walker has won his vir-
lie honors as the representative of Southern
State. He was 25 when he removed to Missis-
sippi, and settled down to the practice of his
profession. For ten years he steadily adhered
to private vocation, giving to his party the aid
of his talents when it required them, but refu-
sing political Office. In 1896 he was sent to the
Senate, and his national life began. His career
as Senator is chiefly remembered BY his man
ly efforts in favor of the recognition Of Texas.
The debate on the resolution declaring Texas an
independent State, and the close division-23
for, and 10 against the resolution, (Mr. Buchan-
an, by the way, voted with the noes)-ars well
remembered by those who take an interest in
the politics Of the country. Nor has every one
forgotten the fine answer Of Mr.. Walker to the
Texan ambassadors, when they solicited his
bust for the Capibolof the State of Texas. ain
my own name, and for my poor services" wrote
Mr.. Walker, :" could never accept your prOpo-
sition. Itwa as a representative of the wishes
of the people of Mississippi that I moved and
advocated, in consonance with my own feelings
and judgment, the recognition of your indepen-
dence. Ny name must soon be forgotten in con-
nection with this or any other transaction; but
be it long remembered that it was a representa-
tive of the State of Mississippi who, in the hour
of your deepest gloom and danger, predicted
your success, when not voice in Congress had
been raised in your behalf" At later period,
when he had been nominated for the Vice-Pres-
idency by the Democracy of Mississippi, he
wrote, in reply to inquiries from Kentucky, his
famous Texas letter, which formed the basis of
the policy under which that State was admitted
into the Union. Mr.. Walker may, in fact, be
regarded as the foster-father of Texas; may he
be equally fortunate with Kansas!
One Of the most able and answering advo-
Gates Of the Independent Treasury System, Mr..
Walker wasentitled to seat in the Cabinet
which was offered him by Mr.. Pelk. Of his re-
ports we have spoken already; he was the first
able, outspoken advocate Of free trade in that
position, and beyond doubt be contributed more
largely than any other man to disseminate the
economical doctrines which now command the
assent of majority of the people ofths United
States.
This was his last public service. Deeply i'm
bued with the progressive spirit which marks the
typical American citizen, he embraced the pro-
Ject of . trans-contiueutal railroad with ardor.
He became the chief officer of the Company to
which Texas was TO donate untold acres Of land
in return for railroad to California. When the
Pacific Railroad is actually built--whatever cor
poration performs the wOrk-it may be taken for
granted that the scheme will be carried out in
accordance with the plans laid down by Robert
J. Walker.
Exchanging our Retrospective for prospect
i've glance, what future Mr.. Walker has before
him! He is in the prime Of Efe-just ffty-six;
he can afford to disdain the promptings Of mere
ephemeral ambition; his fortune, we presume, is
ample; his fame is catholic. Let us suppose that
he succeeds in pac:fying Kansas, and plotting il
into the Union on terms which will coincide with
public anticipation, and which alone are consist
ent with the meridian of the Territory. Let US
assume that he win put an end to the sempiter-
nal squabbles Of the Free State men and Pro-
Slavery men, armed invaders and border rufians,
Shapes rifles from the East, and boWie-knives
from the West. And let Us contemplate him
this great work achieved, and the State Of Kan.
sas fairly enrolled among the proud common.
wealths Of Misunderstanding his energies to the
next great difficulty which may beset the Re.
public. and graphing with it in his own bold way
UsE or SrRYcHSrSE n -DIsr1LLKEEs--The
physician of the House of Correction, at Law.
renee, Mass, reports il almost impossible to trsa
delirium tremeus successfully now, in conse
quence Of the utter prostration Of the nervous
system of drunkards BY the strychnine 50 gener
ally used in the manufacture Of liquors.
An editor making speech at recent jubilee
at Keokuk, Iowa, remarked +" that when he Ian
ded in Keokuk, in 1887, ii was nest Of pi