Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-03-11
Cresswsll-" Some have Greatness Thrust
upon Them"
Eron, tha Naw York III araId 9Th.

Cresswell-" Some have Greatness Thrust
upon Them"
From the New York Herald. 6th.l
Contrary to the general impression, a
Southern man has, IN the person OF MIR.
Cresswell, been appointed o member OF
President Grants Cabinet. We say q
Southern man, because in sympathy,
education and characteristics the people
of Maryland are as much Southern as
those of Georgia.
Mr.. CREsswELLs s HOME AND EARLY LIFE
The new Postmaster General was born
at Port Deposit, Cecil county, Maryland,
on the 18th of November, 1928, and is
consequently a man still in the prime of
life. His parents being possessed OF
ample means, be was sent when lad to
Dickinson College, in Pennsylvania,
where he graduated with honors during
the year l848 Returning home he
studied law, and in 1850 he was admitted
to the bar. Born and reared in State
where the institution of slavery held full
sway, and where to oppose it was to be
consigned to political oblivion, it is not
surprising but few men in Maryland
could be found daring enough to avow
their opposition to slavery, or even to
cherish sentime uts antagonistic to the
institution. Whether Mr.. Cresswe!l was
always an abo itionist we cannet tell.
He may have been, but it is certain that
be never took re NIX among the Garrisons,
Summers, Wilson's, and others of the like.
Indeed, he appears to have remained at
home quietly pursuing HIS professional
avocatlons, which were quite onerous by
reason of s.n extensive practice, and ap-
parently t. lkipg no active interest in poll
tics, save as one of many thousands OF
voters. Ne say this because we feel no
certainty as to the political opinions he
held beft IRE the secession of South Caro-
lima. Newspaper correspondents differ
in regard to this, some asserting that he
was firss Wing and subsequently, Re-
publican, although by reason of his sur
roundinigs he dared not avow his politi-
cal preferences. Others state that he
was Democrat, and only left the party
when he discovered that, in Maryland, at
least, it sympathized with the rebellion.
HIS CAREER AS POLITICIAN.
Bv.t whatever may have been Mr.. Cress-
wells political views, it is certain that
he took an early stand in favor OF the
q MON and against secession. His career
s.s a politician began in 1861, when he
was elected member of the Maryland
House of Delegates, and as such ably
opposed every effort OF the majority to
take the State out of the Union. From
August, 1862, to April, 1868. IN served
as an Assistant Adjutant General of his
State. This office he resigned upon being
elected Representative to the Thirty
eighth Congress, in which he served on
the Committee on Commerce and Pen
sions. Throughout the rebellion his
voice and votes were given in favor OF
vigorous coercive policy, nor did he ever
falter in his faith that the Union arms
would be finally successful. In 1864 he
was a delegate to the Republican Con-
yeution held at Baltimore, and which
nominated Mr.. Lincoln aud Mr. johnson
for the offices of President and Vice
President. In 1861 Mr.. Cresswell was
defeated for Congress by Mr. Hiram Nc
Culloch, but during the following year
was chosen to fill the vacant seat in the
United States Senate, caused by the
Qeatu Oh eA-OONtIHOE l. IL iAiSAo'
When the term expired the Republican
party was in q hopeless minority IN
Maryland, and all chances for his con-
tinuation in office by direct election had
ended. At the Presidential election last
year every Congressional district in the
State was carried by the Democrats, his
district leading with majority Of over
5000. Mr.. Cresswell was succeeded by
q Democrat in the Senate.
POLITICAL FAITH OF THE POSTMASTER
GENERAL.
In politics Mr.. Cresswell is Radical
of the most advanced stripe. he fsvors
the reconstruction Of Maryland on the
plan adopted for the ex-rebel States.
During the contest with Mr.. johnson he
never deviated from his sHpport of Con-
eress, although the chances are that had
he pursued the course followed by ex-
Governor Swami and other Republicans,
he would have, like them, been retained
in Office by the Democrats. But remain
ing consistent to his political faith he
sacrificed bis chances Of preferment at
the hands of his fellow-citizens. Mr..
Cresswell is an able politician, and will
doubtless make an acceptable Postmaster
General.