The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-07-22
DEFENCE OF GOV. WALKER. LETTER FROM COL
j. f. H. CLAIBORNE

defenders in the South, will be from the fol
lowing letter written by distinguished citizen of
Mississippi aud addressed to the editor Of the Louis
lana Courier:
Editor, Of Louisiana Cburier On my return home yester
day read with much interest in the Courier the Baton
Rouge Advocate and the Aississippan the pointed ami
madyersions the Topeka speech of Governor Walker,
of Kansas. cannot put my hands ON that document,
his inaugural, and therefore have not the means
of Judging for myself But | must believe that when
you hear from Governor Walker in defence of his opin
ions in explanation of his views, your Judgment viii
be less The democratic conventions Of Georgia
and Mississippi with the lights before them have
condemned him, and dare not in the face of such au-
hoty assert that you and your able cotempories
wrong But cherish the hope-nay the fixed and reli
ant aiththa when the whole case with all the circum
stances fairly before you Governor Walker viii
be found faithful TO his anecedens orthodox,
sttutional, national statesman l cannot believe that
great man. with great reputation IN the meridian OF his
intellectual vigor who voluntarily withdrew from public
life when his fame and popularity would have command
ed any station who has refused more offices than he ever
accepted and whose indicates little OF the restless
and Unsuitable ambition ascrbed to him, who did
not seek his present difficult and responsible position but
pressed into it by enlightened Executive familiar
with his and in possession ohs sentiments would
suddenly his opinions and sacrifice his integrity
for the uncertainties Of Interior promotion. The most
desperate political gamester would scarcely hazard his
prospects upon such chance. And surely Robert D.
Walker, whose appointment but yesterday hailed by
the whole South and by national OF every party,
as the most fortunate and udcious, not reducedto
such extremity, though eoncedo that he had fix
cd his eye upon the presidency.
Glance, for a moment his past and let that be the
test of his orthodoxy OF his political consistency and
we may hope, the guarantee of his future.
In 1885 he practising law in the city Of Matches
The democratic party in Mississippi at low cbb,
owing to the detection of George Pondexter John Black
Harry Cage, James G. wilkins, Franklin +. Plummer,
Charles Lynch and other formidable politicians, who
abandoned General jackson the currency question
ft.r hay rted N
the Senate against the administration before the
people candidate for reelection. No in the
United States his superior in debate and there
sound Saterghts feeling IN his opposition that sharpen
ed the sword he welded and rallied around him many
who personally admired General jackson, but finced
him too indifferent to constitutional restraints Judge
Black likewise a senator elected a jackson
and having reputation for integrity his secession gave
color to this apprehension The remark applies 10
Judge Cage, then representative whose secession
ried with it more influence because everybody knew his
personal attachment for General jackson. Col Wilkins
had long been avorite leader of the party. He
great merchant Hundreds of citizens owed their for
tunes to HIM Thousands indebted to him, and still
applied to him. and expected to apply for pecuniay
favors. He and his connexions allied, too, to Mr..
Walkercontrolled the whole banking capital of the
State and in that of expansion and reckless specula
ton this prodgous power especially when exerted
by of excellent abilities and high social position.
Mr.. Plummcr had been for y lnis'r Of years q
spcuous member Of the State nationa legislatures.
He had been elected the in sonation of Jackson
ISM lie resided IN the eastern IGncwuods section oil
Mississippi, then, now, overwhelmingly democratic
Yet hesccing the sweeping tidcthe union of powerful
leadersthe conspiracy of the the clamor of the
press the unanmity and fury of the towns and villages
against the Old Hero abandoned his as hopeless
and went with the crowd He the most adroit tao
tician in the State stump orator uncqualled and
those who only knew him in his decadence defunct
politician and ruined man, have conception of
the influence he exerted with this the fact that
twothirds OF the people of Mississippi in debt that
the epidemic for gambling in wild lands, plantations
and negroes then at IFS height; that the late Hugh
L. White of Tennessee called the Cato of the SEN
ate the opposition candidate for the presidency that
the population of the counties chiefly from that
State and their personal feelings deeply enlisted in his
favor; that Martin Van Buren,, then designated the
democratic candidate for the presidency, only
northern man. but charged with being aboltionist
have General Cass General Pierce, and Mr. Blu
chanan assed with the charge and that time
better authority Consider all this and you have be-
fore you the condition and prospects OF the democratic
party of Mississippi OF that day. Not at all atterng
not tempting to any man avaricous of either fortune
fame.
AT that crisis when Mr. Poindexter and his coautors
careeng the State-when democrats and dem
ocratic printing Offices and democratic meetings
sauted mobbed and dispersed in the principal cities and
villages with violence and bloodshedM Walker then
struggling at the bar for bread appealed to to become
the champion of party His heart and his sympahies
consented against his circumstances and his judgment
and he entered at upon the canvass soldier goes
to lead the foiorn hope He met Mr.. Pondexter Chief
Justice Sharkey the talented umvrate of Yergers Mr.
Prentss the Sheridan of the South and all whom he
met he overthrow. The result is we'll known
When he entered the Senate his first encounter
with Mr. Clay upon the great question of the public lands
and though temporary asperty occurred that most IL
lustrous Of American orators acknowledged the ab
tiles of his opponent and each learned to appreciate the
excellence of the other In the Senate Mr.. Walker
the author of many great essential to the prog
and prosperity of the States and during the dis
cussions on the slavery question then quite exciting
as now his orthodoxy was never controvcrted by the
most ultra of his constituents. His colleague in the
House native of Mississippi and large stakeholder
voted for the reception and reference of abolition petit
ons voted perhaps, in error, but voted with Silas
Wright and James X. Polk, and Franklin Pierce and
james Buchanan and Henry l. Pinckney; while Robert
]. Walker, born in free State, and owning slaves
voted for their instantaneous rejection these things
forgot then 2 II the public judgment condemned the
of his colleague should the record go the
credit of Governor Walker
At this period he performed another service to the
country, perhaps yet divuged. BY perseverng
efforts he induced Gen jackson to despatch agent
TO Oregon and California to ascertain their and
great movement which eventuated in their acquisition.
The assertion of rights in Oregon the extinction of
the British title and the absorption of California
then his arowed projects
Subsequently, when Mr. Tyler by the lamentcd death
of Gen Harrison became President Mr. Walker rendered
eminent services to his country and to the South parc
uarly Circumstances had occasoned great intimacy be-
tween Mr.. Tyler and Mr. Walker and it was mainly |
through his counsel that the former resolved to veto the
bank BILL which had passed both branches of Congress
have in my possession letter from Mr.. Walker
time in advance of that memorable action advising
confdentally of the the Executive would pursue