Mountain Democrat., 1857-08-08
Death OF Hon. WIN. L. Marcy.

Last night, says the N. Y. Herald Oi
July 9Th, we received the announcement
of the sudden death of Hon. William Lar.
ned Marcy, late Secretary of State, which
occurred on Saturday, the 4th inst, al
Ballston, Saratoga county, New York.
Mr.. Marcy was in his list year, having
been born December IL, 1886, In Stur-
bridge, Worcester county, Massachusetts,
After completing his academic course in
his native town he entered Brown Uni.
versity, Providence, r. l., and graduated
there in 1908. From thence he removed
to Troy, N. Y, and commenced the prac-
tice of the law, having studied in the Office
Of John Russell, Esq, all eminent prae-
titio1er, taking prominent part in poll
tics at the same time as democrat. Du-
ring the war with Great Britain in 1912
and 1914, Mr.. Marcy served as q volun-
teer in the defence of this State. lie held
a Lieutenant's commission and did SER
vice at st. Regius on the Canada frontier.
In 1916 he was appointed Recorder Of the
city of Troy, butiwas removed in two
years afterwards when De Witt Clinton
filled the Gubernatorial office, Mr.. Marcy
having taken sides with Martin Van Bu-
rem in opposition to Governor Clinton's
policy. Subsequently he was appointed
by Gov. Yates to the post Of Adjutant
General in 1921, and removed to Albany,
where he has since resided. On the or
ganization of that potent and secret Or
ganization, called the "Albany Regency" i"
Mr.. Marcy became one of the most trusty
ond oon ,iauf;ol M ovV, horc oOd odu;cnro ~
its head, Martin Van Buren. 10 his con-
nection with "the Regency" Mr.. Marcy
doubtless owed most of the good success
which generally attended him as politi-
cal leader. In 1928 he received from the
Legislature the appointment Of State
Comptroller, which Office he held for sew
cral years. In 1929 he was appointed
one of the Associate Justices of the Su-
preme Court of the State; but i'll 1881 he
resigned that office in consequence Of be-
ing elected United States Senator. He
was in the Senate less than two years,
when he resigned, being elected Governor
of New York, in 1882. lie was twice re-
elected, viz: in 1884 and 1886; but on a
fourth nomination, in 1888, he shared in
the defeat Of the Democratic party, and
William II. Seward was elected over him.
After retiring from the Executive chair,
Mr.. Marcy principally devoted his atten;
ton to his private business, until Mr..
Polk became. President, in 1945. He was
then offered and accepted the office oi
I Secretary Of W az, aHS-was -co7sssiida.a,sss 81
through the four years of his service one
of the most influential members of Mr.
Folks cabinet. The duties of the Wal
Department during the Mexican war were
arduous, and were discharged by Mr.
Marcy with energy and ability. On his
retirement from the Cabinet, after the
election Of Taylor and Fillmore, Mr.. Mar.
cy exerted himself to heal the disscnsions
in the Democratic party in this State
Although decidedly opposed at that time
to the free soil and Wilmot proviso move
ments of Van Buren, and others in the
Democratic party, Mr.. Marcy urged the
union of the party as essential to success
and therefore became separated from ma
ny Of his bunker friends. This feeling
against him operated so far as probably
to prevent his nomination for President
at the Democratic National Convention ol
1862. With large section of the Dem.
Ocratic party in this State Mr.. Marcy was
not popular; but his ability as writer,
tactician and statesman, was generally
admitted.
Mr.. Marcy was for many years of his
early life the editor of the Troy Budget
He was connected with that journal, we
believe, from 1917 to 1928. Previous to
this he was frequent contributor to the
Troy Ar0Ws Mr.. Marcy married the
daughter Of Benjamin Knower, a wealthy
halter Of Albany, who inherited from heI
father Q large estate. 1t is said that Mr.
Marcy had himself acquired considerable
property during late years by land specu.
latiOns in the West, but it is doubtful il
he died rich after all. 1t is probable
however, he did not.
Governor Marcy acquired considerable
reputation as diplomatist and writer o.
State documents from his able letter ir
reply to Gen. Scott during the Mexican
war, while holding the Office of Secretary
of War In Mr.. Folks administration by
his famous letter to Chevalier HulsemaT
on the Koszta affair, and his paper on pri
watering addressed to the government O
the Fmaratime powers of Europe during
his late occupancy Of the Office of Secre
taFy Of State. His last official document
was one addressed to the French Minister
N. Sartiges, IN reply to his application fol
indemnity in behalf of the French resi-
dents at Greytown, who suffered from the
bOmbardmcnt Of that town, not yet pub
Gshed, has been pronounced by those whC
have seen it, mastery letter on so insig
nifcant subject It is said that wher
Lord Napier applied to Mr.. Cass for in
demnity for the British residents of Grey
town, the venerable Secretary sent hin
his predecessors letter to NJ Sartiges a!
his reply. In connection with Gov. Mar
cy's name will ever be remembered thu
famous motto Of his party, as brief anC
as significant as Cesar's celebrated wa,
despatch ch:-"TO the victors belong thu
spoils."
MIR. Marcy was contemplating q visit Il
Europe in August, it is believed on some
important financial business; but th,
hand Of the memorable tyrant, Death, ha.
put an end forever to all his schemes, po
litical and financial.
Mr.. Marcy paid visit a few weeks ago
to the scene Of his early career CTroy)
where he enjoyed a pleasant reunion with
the friends Of his youth-Hon. Thomal
B. Carroll, Hon. Thomas Cloves, and ia
cob Lane, his former law partner. Thei
conversation was lively and full of anec
dotal matter, referring to the early events
Of our political history, when the strifi
hAfZaAn the rennhlicans and fadaraliaA,