The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1877-03-31
Letter from Washington.

WASHINGTON, u. u, Marcn ZlCn, 1871.
Seeing that you had another correspondent, and
realizing that there was only single prominent
theme connected with national affairs for long
stretch, and that the speculative one of who was
TO be President, have not troubled you with any,
thing for many months.
And now, first of all l must express my surprise
at your inferred inadvertance in suffering so un-
fair sketch of the life of the new Secretary of the
Treasury to pass without dissent, when printing
it, while satisfying yourself with merely referring
to it as Interesting reading" Such, no doubt, it
was to carping Democratic readers, who will cite
its unfair statements, hereafter, the Republican
authority of your journal.
Doubtless Mr.. Sherman, as with other men in
public life has accommodated himself to changed
surroundings. He may have been more or less in
consistent wthal, (no claims perfection for
him. but not so much so really as seemiagly, be-
cause of the constantly shifting course of events
during and since the war. But that he deserves
to be put on record in the Union as "a trimmer"
and as "below contempt as politician" l am not
prepared to agree-indeed / protest against the
verdictas only worthy of packed jury after an
fair trial!
John Sherman has proved himself statesman
of more than average ability. Especially in mat
tiers of finanoe-the leading concern of late years
has he shown himself master of the situation.-
/ say this, although not always able to agree with
him as to what was best for the country. The new
President has also said it in the most emphatic
way by putting the Treasury portfolio in his care
and time, predict, will show the wisdom of the
Presidents cabinet selection in this as in other re-
spects.
| 1t may be interesting news to the younger mem
| bers of the Matthews family in Baltimore county,
whose name is emphatically legion to be told that
! in the truly able man, who has succeeded Mr..
| Sherman in Senatorial responsibilities, STANLEY
Matthew'S that he is of the family stock.
His father the favorite christian name of the
Matthews family, Thomas, and claimed descent
| from the ancestral Oliver Matthews. He some
how other got to Virginia. and resided in earlier
| life at Alexandria From there he emigrated to
| Ohio, where Stanley Matthews, think, was born.
| The elder Matthews was aprofessor in Oxford Col
| lege, distinguishing himself as such in the sphere
| of mathematics. He a very talented man, as
1 have good reason for saying His sons intel
| lectual strength probably came from him. rather
| than his mother, from whom his temperamental
| characteristics no doubt descended according to
| the general physiological law, including his rare
| eloquence-the last named a characteristic which
| in him, as am glad to say, is rather solid than
| captivating
| My personal knowledge of Judge Matthews runs
| back more than quarter OF century, when a
| favorable opportunity was afforded for studying
/ his characteristics. Although then but young
man, he gave the promise of rare degree of abil-
ity, which has been amply fulfilled. His wife is
also talented. She is possessed of other sterling
qualities which am glad to observe have worn
we'll, and which cannot fail to make her very ac-
ceptable addition to the circle here, in which, as
a Senator'S wife, she is destined to move.
| Amongst the gentlemen, whom my relations for
years in the corresponding working place of a
kindred society, have brought to my notice, there
was no one who more favorably impressed me than
| Thomas Gorsuch, late Secretary of that highly
useful institution, the Gunpowder Agricultural
Club. As one come of good family stock he has
| proved worthy of its fame. The renewal of his
opportunities abroad, the desire to do which made
the regretted vacancy in his Office, will no doubt
prove his gain, although the Clubs loss Bon 10Y
age! is the least my feelings could prompt me to
say at his departure, which desire to imply a
safe return voyage also. j. E. S.
[For explanation of the reference to Hon. John
Sherman on the first page of last weeks Union, we
refer our esteemed correspondent to our editorial
columns of to-day.-EDs. UxIoS.]