The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1857-04-04
Robert j. Walker.

Robert J. Walker.
We find in the New York Times, an able
and ardent Republican sheet, the following
sketch Of the Hon. Robt J. Walker, who has
been entrusted by President Buchanan with
the Goverlorship Of Kansas, confesSediy the
most difficult and trying position in the gift
of the President. Mr.. Walker having fully
accepted the appointment, this sketch viii
be read with deep interest.
Robt. j. Walker, the son Of Judge Walker
one Of the Judges of the Supreme Court
of the United Statcs-was born in Pennsyl-
vania. and, believe, not far from the home
Of Mr. Buchanan. He studied law under
his own father, and practised his profession
at Pittsburgh, where he married daughter
of Franklin Bache, of Philadelphia. ami a
grand daughter of benjamin Franklin. The
first nomination Of Andrew jackson for the
Presidency was made by young Walker,
shortly after he was admitted to the Bar, at
convention of the Pennsylvania Dcmocra-
cy. After his emigration to Mississippi, he
became identified with Texan independence,
but took no leading part in national matters
until the declaration of South Carolina III
favor of notification had excited his zeal in
behalf of the Union. Then succeeded the
famous struggle between himself and Pom
deXter-the latter the RI ght hand of Calhoun
in Mississippi, thro Ugh whom hc hoped to
gain over that State 10 the cause Of seces-
sion, or an unconstitutional States rights
extreme. No Mississippian will ever forget
that famous canvass. nor ought it to 60 out
of the memory of patriots in the North.
Whatever may have been the real causes Of
complaint against Mr. Walker since, lie did
his duty then manfully, triunphantly, and
in q way which caused him to take his seat
as an equal among the giants who composed
the Senatorial body Of that period.
Walker, in the Senate, soon became a CON
fidential friend of Jackson, and took lead
ing part in the annexation Of Texas; ut, be
it remembered by those who dis.rust him on
account of his supposed pro slavery pro-
c!ivities, that he strennous'y opposed Mr.
Calh0un's project cr making all 7tcas siags
territory, and ieas the man instrument Of
making the freedom OF the soil Of tie north
er' 7or'iol 81 orr raescly acquired possess ions
q condition. cr' annexation.
Walker was first requested by Mr. Polk
to enter his Cabinet as Attorney Genera,
that post being deemed most in accordance
with his tastes; but subsequent events trans
ferred him to the Treasury Department He
guished from the 'protcction" tariff system.
and drew up and reported the tariff OF 1916
1t was bold measure, reducing duties more
than one-half, On an average, and that al
time when the country was involved in Il
war, and in opposition to the views Of the
commercial, moneyed, and manufacturing
classes. On the passage Of the bill M
Evans, Senator from Maine, and considered
the financial leader OF the " hrS. declared,
in his place, that the revenue Of the next
year would not be $4,000. 600. Daniel
Webster left 4 memorandum with the Clerk
OF the Senate that il would not produce
SIS, 100000. Abbott Lawrence, and the
banking interest OF this city and New Eng
land, considered the policy as destructive
Walker recorded estimate was that ii would
give, In the first year, $50 600. 600. Il gave
S25,0po,'40 and some hundreds of thou
sands, and has gone on increasing. until it
has reached its present prodgiOuS amount
Walker Is the only Cabinet officer who
has had his reports rcpriated abroad Sir
Robert Peel had them printed for the Uene-
fit Of the House Of Commons, and his = the
honor OF being the only financial minister
5rhons tie rJrLd haS proiu-sd. who has al
vanced government stocks. and maintained
them above par. during 4 foreign war, and
while It was borrowing money daily.
|! this sketch sounds to you Ike a pane
gyrir, it IS because | have cared t. present
you only one side, and Z true one. Of the
character Of a very remarkable man. who
IS about TO be entrusted with the practical
care Of settling tie most important question
which has ac,ated the country for many
years, and VINO, it is believed here, viii do
it to the interest Of the Union, in accordance
with the principles Of the Kansas Nebraska
law, and, i tie majority as is doubtless The
case Of the people Of Kansas are free STATE
men, in way to secure the triumph Of free
dom over slavery.