Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1857-07-11
WILLIAM L. MARCY.

There could uot have been moro solemn
and impressive event connected with the
Eighty. first anniversary Of American lDde-
pendence than the sudden decease of William
L. Marcy. 1t has been regarded as fortu-
nate incident that three of the great men Of
the early days of the Republic should have
breathed their last on that sacred day. and
the death Of Mr.. Marcy will serve to identify
him with the great event that the whole
nation was rejoicing over at the time he ex-
pired. That the people of all parties will
man cannot be doubted; for he was indspu-
bly, the most able aud the most distinguished
member of the dominant party of the United
States.
William Larned Marcy was born at Stur-
bridge, Worcester county, Massachusetts,
December 18th, l7S6. lie was educated
literally, graduating at Brown University,
Providence, r. L., in the year 1908. lie
studied for the bar and was admitted TO prac-
tice at Troy, n H., and Immediately took a
leading part as Democrat in the politics OF
the day, sustaining the measures of Jefferson
and Madison in regard to our foreign policy.
During the war with Great Britain he served
ns volunteer iu the military defence OF the
State. He was appointed Recorder OF the
city of Troy in the year 1916, but was re-
w
owing to his siding with Mr.. Van Buren in
opposition to his administration. On the
success of the -Clintonian party, Gov.
Yates rewarded Mr. Marcy by appointing
him, in the year 1921, to the Office Of Adju.
tant General of the State, and be then re-
moved to Albany. He was one of the earl
est and most important members Of the
famous ALBANY Regency" which colt olet
for long time the movements OF the Dem
ocratic party in the State, and exercised
mighty influence in the politics Of tht
nation. In 1923 he was appointed State
Comptroller, and in 1929 one of the Associate
Justices of the Supreme Court. The lattel
Office he resigned in 1881, when he was elec
ted United States Senator. He resigned hi
place in the Senate in 1882, having beer
slected Governor Of the State. He was re
elected Governor 10 1884 and 1886, but il
1888, when he was nominated for fourti
time, he was defeated by Hon. William ii
Seward. From that time MIR. Marcy re
mained in private life, until the elevation o
Mr.. Polk to the Presidency, when he wa
appointed Secretary of War performing th,
duties of the Office with signal ability duriu,
the whole term Of four years-a term of unu
susl difficulty, since the responsibility Of tn
war with Mexico rested almost solely upoi
him. After Gen. Taylors accession to th
Presidency, Mr. Marcy returned to NeS
York, where he labored assiduously to hea
the dissensions among the New York De
mocracy, which had almost entirely destroys
the power Of the party in the State. i
his efforts in this behalf he lost many friend
among tho bunker" wing Of the Democrats
and TINS operated to defeat his neminatio
for the Presidency by the Baltimore Conver
tion Of 1852. Franklin Pierce obtained th
nomination and was elected and it was tn
most fortunate thing for his administratio
that he should have selected Mr.. Marcy fc
the Office of Secretary of State-au offc
that he administered with great ability durin
the whole OF the Presidential term.-Phil.
Eg. Bulletin.