New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-08-21
LYMAN TRUl(BUIL.

The statesman whose name heads this
article. who has just declined an appoint
ment of the highest diplomatic position in
the gift of the nation, and whose chances
for becoming Secretary of State seem to
be increasing according to special dis
| patches from New York;, can not be sub
ject to the charge which Democracy makes
against the rest of the Cabinet, Of obscu-
rity, whatever criticism the enemies Of the
Republican party may make upon his
character. Senator Trumbull has spent
his life in the public service, and as a Sen
ator of the United States for the last ff-
teen years he has been pre-eminent as one
of the great parents, advocates and guard
ians of Republican principles. His
biography is written in the minds Of the
nation before he has passed from the
stage If he shall be made Secretary of
State, he will be in fact and reality the
head of that department. The President
will be guided by him, not him by the
President. And a filter head could not
be found; and being SO fit, he will be
most fit to be the real responsible agent
of his department. His functions of a
diplomatist will be so nearly allied to
those he has filed as a statesman, that
Mr.. Trumbull will be at once fitted and
ready for his work in the management Of
our foreign relations. The nation can
well trust to the hands of such man the
questions of peace and war.
Senator Trumbull is descendant Of
Jonathan Trumbull, who was Governor Of
Connecticut by annual election during the
entire war Of the Revolution, and whose
wife was great granddaughter Of the
father Of the pilgrims. The son Of Gov
ernor Trrumbull, John, whose portraits
the Senator much resembles, was one Of
the first scholars and artists of the coun-
try, besides having served as adjutant to
General Gates, and aid-de-camp to Wash
ington in the war of the Revolution.
The Trumbulls of this country are a
branch of the Trumbulls Of Scotland,
whose name originated thus: A king Of
Scotland, on hunting party, was attacked
by bull, and his life being in imminent
danger from the animal, young, strong
and dexterous peasant seized the bull by
the horns, turned him aside, and saved
the sovereign's life. The king commanded
the hitherto obscure youth to assume the
name of Turnbull, gave him an estate,
still in the family, and coat Of arms
three bulls heads, with the motto, Fortuna
facet oudaci-which, when heraldry was in
fashion, remained the bearings Of the
American branch Doubtless President
Grant had this in his mind in selecting
Minister to Great Britain-he wanted
statesman who, in the settlement Of the
Alabama claims and other questions,
would not be afraid to take the Bull by
the horns.
Lyman Trumbull, besides being an
erudite scholar, with great legal attain
of the State of Illinois before he was
elected to the United States Senate fifteen
years ago, to fill the place made vacant
by the expiration of the term Of General
James Shields. That was about the time
of the birth of the present Republican
party. The nation, generally, is only ac-
quainted with Mr.. Trumbull's overwhelm-
ing parliamentary arguments of his Sena-
torial life, which are printed. But his
last speeches, delivered in Illinois in the
Fremont. canvass in 1856, along with
Abraham Lincoln. David K. Cartier, John
NJ. Palmer and others, are among the
most effective he ever delivered He was
the master-spirit Of thsf exciting time on
the stump. he wm, % lalected to the
Sena te for six years fr6fm 81 nth Of March,
1861, and again for the ssi BoaWFssod from
fourth of March, 1867, Y Berhil 1874.
During all this time he has BBi rh politi-
clan just so far as the duties n a pure and
patriotic statesman go; and in all his do
nestle relations he has sustained through
life an exemplary and spotless reputa-
tion-as a husband, father and citizen.
If honest politicians are rare, Mr.. Trum-
bull has strong claim to rank in that
class. Lack Of space forbids review of
his course in the Senate; suffice it to say
that the country regards him and ranks
him as one of the prominent and leading
statesmen of the age.