Newspapers / Raleigh register, and North-Carolina … / July 12, 1836, edition 1 / Page 1
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
J 'r -" -vf. i3 . -.4' If H 4o M Oun are the plan of fair delightful peace, unwarp'd by party rage, to lire like brothers.' TIHtEE DOlXAItS Per Annum, 'ONJ3 HAIjF IN ADVANCE. 3 5 NUMBER 35. r AMU) KWEOT if rUBtTKHBD VXT TUK1AT, WSy Joseph Gales ff Son TERMS. I could have wished it, and as it would have; been, under more favorable circumstances. The refinements of pwlUhed scholarship It ftt - - nan nardiy been introduced into Tennes ter evidence that Judge White possessed every qualification of the able, profound and enlightened jurist, than that he was afterwards appointed (or would have been Turn. DottA per annom-on h.lf in auvance 8Ce at, 1,'t 7 But of the more appointed, 0 condition of his accepting,) held this office for six years, during which j practice., of Oovernmentra period porten time he was associated with sucli men as! touslvinresrnant with doubtful andslranire IT - ll.ll .u.ll.l..M . . . r I .' 1 -t ThowhodaiwMithcr tube time of sulwTibiiT(; practical, and useful branches of educa- a or ulquently, jfive notice oftheir vvuhtohave tion, such as qualified him for the dis- 0 ha Per 1icnt!nel irt the expiration of the charge of the immediate duties of life, he he seat fipon the Supreme Bench of the United Slates, which distinguished post of honor he declined. When he was elevated will lpTeunietlMdeiringiteonanvwiceaCqU,re( the utmost that the schools of from the bar to the bench, he brought to WAjitounirriRniuru. I that dav amimpfl. IT wac inatntrlpil in I the riifirhnrara nfiia diflirulr I unrtinns. all ill ancient IniKriianrua hv lh v S:itnn . i thf niialtttpa nlrpailv pnil incrnf fl. and an. iSvTrnmcrMfrit 'rG I . . ft"5-V J - - i -"--v :" airi.iJii:jii4iJ ifl vornck, and Mr. alter wards Judge) peradded to the essential attnbules of ju Net exreeilinir ttrtem. line; will he inserted fAreel Roane, gent lemen of no mean proficiency Idicial authority, great mildness and sua nme for Dollar; and t enty-five cent lor eacn hn scholarship. To these attainments he vity of manners vet was he always firm ulfequriit publication tuoje or eater length, in afterwards atlded a course of Maihema- and dignified, and uncompromising, when Zi;:.er Professor Patterson, of Phila- duty demanded. It is supe.Huous to say, i d1al t.l.ll Iuip la nail iviina In. 4l.nfr nii.l I lliot i t mninUin rll.i ai itHlnA luifli nnmi J vril out nl (hurvpil arcriiin'lv vniuiti nc iimii iui mui iiui-imui v' ihumiiuui u uivt mm ijiiiiu pose, in irua, ne leit rnuaueipiiia, tor narity anu respect, ootn nom the people Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he enter-land the bar, is the surest test of no onlin e tlie office of -James Hopkins, an eini ary merit. Spurious talents or sunerficial nent Uwjer.uivJer whose saperintvndence 1 learning cannot be played off, undetected. integrity nf and no ctnin. no that high ami responsible station. By tire w commenceu irowna m imaaiisiatciion, ever gave coior t ..r.l.m. .nil ran h nnr inn n ",v im W'nit'ivili k7U.n, in in. in vivv-ni.-..T ilia lliuiw ill nnr h ritivens of this countrv. the Hon, M?:'rf' M l earI t.-J f HUSJ I- generally remarkab.e for perspicuity and f - ili I. . 1A I l. si T 'W,Tt TTnM.M. iiihin lTII, imreiigni , ami many ni mem aoie speci l.Ldxt Wfor the nublic. as a man. in all 1 ' 1 Pv of present mens of judicial acumen and research. V i - r .a I writer to fellow him iten bv sten.lI1i lone- service- in Ills' indicia! canacilv. vmnft .niinin v niiniinpfi mr iop rir- i -j ' - j T a. . i J m I ill roil frh til Itavpw nf fnrl V MlurntKin I nrsniiir.'d fur him tliA o-iPHlict ruennr t sml cutiiin nT its arcfiMius duties, ine name, r - o ? . j i - . - and iI.p lifp, and the character of Hush , ,,iei M,T cuc" wcl!8Mve Jcar lue siee'" ,ron' ",e ffcnueineii or ine . proies Birraphy of Hugh I White. Tk (irtfk1ir)il mtiirn nf the Prraiden i.l Action, has strain mad it necessary ne voted himtell with great ardor to the upon. the bench. Ihe strict . .. . . t . i i. . lilllilf lit t hi la IV, Ilavinnr pnmn!li I li o I Iml ir VVhttA wna nrnvi-ln . k hnn a fit IIiPCP tlnild SKI J " w ... i. v " " ' , fc.i-,t fr.n tl,mlVi. afierson to fill usu lrJ af,orT Tse, he returned, in partialities of friendship or aff- iii ; n r ii t i i at lr "it a i r a " . a . " " . . o I i -.- . ..r i i i r i ! . .i t fa.n. kan rnsiliA t flw!' auai icf cunjciurias in ciniy muus, i iou, ami cuuicrrcu ia-itnz nunur on me r,Mter nortion -of his countrymen. To a.nu lo 'sc" JutWul .chievements bar of I ennessee. Such r ... .ar Itho nt Amiunw at l b 'i lka 4 n Ia iUm. h a abi rsirn the varum and dim-fl T y ,s-iC'v . iimpte opportuni ties-as were presentel daring twelve years -..u .I..I;. r. li.no .t..! aM t. Inve. I mongn Tu iiheu ingitiv useiui anu inter- experience on the bench, and. especially. for years, been well known, mil duly and e 8t,n mu b,e ,e,t. ,o the affectionate bi- when afterward practiced upon and en- J . . i . t " t OnraHer III ntllfr limp. wbll tm arri. I lunrui! in ilia pnnrco i liic mlil'ir-ul uma- honorabiyappreciaieu. dui uis ppesumeu, i-r "f - ,, , V 7 . . .... r. .1.1. r tU .....nHrv. ami Rnn wmch has called ferth this article rience. must have rendered Judne White ll'iiil uinri i" 'v y , ...... . i ' , . , i I . . .. .......". i .hrlasses of our citizens, the same fa- 8n.r "avf Pa"5u away 5 .anu wnen me uioroug.ny acquainieo wi n ine spirit anu . IIUlliI ItllQlatAS 111 nnitii JhaI I h il.l a-v n A I K. H A M a I I . I M Af l.t, a.mmb .tn'.lUr L-m.w AilirP rti it rnt h'-Tnoctri . l'J ' twuawn.ui 11.tr istMui iu i.uuiiiit. ...-1-r;m h-r.n!not.,l ar.nMiet r Pleasure 111 tieiracimg 110m wen- An interesting anecdote rs 10m ot tins ri.u ..i ! d ntir:hahit i.f earned honors, or in withholding the meed period of his life, quite characteristic of :life, which may have excluded certain por- " " -.,. an u. ir-jm u vir- .is repuo. .u- ....;.. fm,n a r.tna in. "d worth ot tho-ie who have rone be- law came; nun 'ne nMniiii"wi r o..re ... .I . . r I 1 . . . nrtin of the actors unon the wide thea- '"rc; ? " ""S11 auer amtneu ny nun, in orner to ouiam license. tie of public life will afford rational distinguished course readers it almost un- The young man had heard much ol his a- ground for the presumption, and will, at necessary to be said,) that the period l uility and 4earning as a jurist, and expec- thtsame time, lurnisli ample apology lor r VJ jicn t uc muui ciiimnacu m os pic- . . a f l!ll Kill- lalll 0 .tlllv ll'liiti k.i no ...It.l t!lU I . I.... I.-. ' I laiiiifr before Ihe lieonle at lanre. a Driet ojuhj, uiui mmg unucu nun icnce j uui uc uiusictxu tuurajc, viMicu I C3" I . r 7 I I . a I a a a. ikiirh nf hia nublic and rrivate life, and llowcr8 Ul wieueci, naiuraiiy strong ami llus residence, anil on oeing inlorined that -, f ' . . I I I I C I . 1 t ' r jf the various Siimnortant services which iciasiitTruocicu mm conspicuous ior nis4 ine judge was on 111s ian, went ooi anu he has rendered hisxountry The hones-Uttainments in all circles with, which he intercepted a man ploughing, and asktnl .-.1 l-l I I IWal aSSOCiaill. ir. iia llr. KPHI uve Mnr Im ira V lit I nm Iho in j n '7 tv oi ;ne nunrvea Tviucn nave prumpicu iu . - m j-, 1 "- ........ y .. . . . '- 111 naO Jl It (v aiMltAiltli.n Ka -MAtn a aaa f..... ia 1 tL . Xaf T ...t.l. A av I this undertaking, and a uen and just re-4"""","i uccmua, icw mr,. pras me n-piy. - i wish 10 gei licence i a- i i l m a .iiii tu i i.n in i v w ilia i a i a a hi ii iiriifr in iiim i in r rov rirn i a ur m ni u q vt nun tm 1 1 rm ar ari lur ine .awiuaemanus xn cue coin- i . v -..g,... ... w.wp, jmuvv.wv wv niunityon such an occasion, would alike 'ntesiectuai world, than Hugh L.. Uhite. amined. Well, sir, it yu will be good deter us from holdin" up the -aubtect ot " i",.uiiig lu me veiiinHeuiienougii 10 go nown nio me snaue, i win this memtdr in Hie iMit of eulogy. Tht?y ,n ,l luiiest extent we agree with it so tar attend to it with a great deal of plea- aJ.,i wi.t.t ait.mnt to imnose unon the lo auiniI " Hiwiwe appncauon is sure." tie secured nis plough horse, got ' ' " w r a 1 a a . . . I - " I aA a. a. .. a ft a M. 1 . M a I a. geuciaiiy a suit icsi oi genius, ami inai tlvey are seldnin disunited and the achieve ments of Judge White have furnished an other instance to estabHh the ti uMt of the remark. This bold and fearless 2TaDi)linsr with difficulties of whatever nature this of hospitality and politeness, gave him a tietermination, to tto in the uest manner licence. "ti i a . a a i. .a a . vereatensures of an insulted and injured P,,8s,u,e wnaiever ne urKiertooK, has everi in the year he resigned his Judge- people. 'In view of these considerations, uee" ul,e ?l mc imiai uisungwsniiig iea amp, an retireo, in a great measure to impelled alone by the great interests ol ne aiulc.. i ma lami. vicuuurai pursuits nau ai- . . . - . .. I VVllh cnvh f Ii ;i ra tr li a onfi.iawl n 1 M r.. ....... t . .. ...... ration, and a sincere devotion to an un- -.v v,..vim ..v cuici.ru, m wijS umi imwuc wuujidiiun, tych m a 1 aw r ir - 1 a t. t a a a niviiU.!' ' KAiinim. it,- fi end nf J ii dire " "Pnn ll,e piacuce ot his proles- the mntst ot laborious stadies : and he . ..u I O I ... . . . . .1 ... - . .. Whit-would nreaent him to the Dub4ic 8,,,n w,tn prospects particularly auspi- would be frequently tound in he inter notice as he i tlescribe his life and char- c,ou9 ,or ne of his y""-' Ever punctu- vals of wis engagements, ploughing in his acter as they are and have btcn anfl re- jal ln.an cngagewewts, and taithiul to fields. 1 here appears always to have been coum ius services iwsi a inev were vennr- 1 - vvi """""'s - iussiaiiM tv ia;guiHi 5 . .. . i r..i.ii..lu.i i .. l.;U i I l? .1 i i..... fntd, and leave the result to a candid anc j- vmci jjnr, iii&i-unuuu nun- in ine puruirs oi agriculture, v e pre- I A J -alt,l" I 1 a a a. a aaa. esiy, ana menial auimy, which early tend not to divine the philosonhv ol it, t impose upon. public mmd, in matters ol such momen tous concern, or would sacrifice the weigh- 1y interest of a mighty Republic, to the prejudices, and blind partiality of parti sanship, would not only defeat the design intended, but should call down upon the party whicb could be guilty of it, the se- over into the cool young man through shade, and took the a most learned and . f a.t.i rigid examination rouna inai ne was well tiualified, and after inviting him to W home, and showing him every mark intelligent twople. Hugh I. W hite was boro in Iredell enunty. North Carolina, in the year 1775. tie was the son of respectable and influ ential parentage, of Irish descent. His father, James White, was a soldier in our memorable struggle for Independence ; afterward a General of Tennessee Militia, and served with high lHwr and distinc tion in the late Creek war. At the close ef the Re-volution, he removed first to Virginia, and then emigrated to Knox county, Tennessee, when. Hugh was thir teen years of age. At the time of which we sprak, Tennessee was a wilderness ; ami into this wild abode, was the family ot Mr. White ushered, with no defence but peoonal prowess, and no means of sub sistence but what were seized in the late of danger and death. VBut the harships and perils which the early pioneer had to encounter, frwn the natural obstacles ol the unsubdued forest, and its terrific in hubitantshave been too oh en and glowing ly decr. bed,1 And are too well known eyen t mfanry, to need relation h.-rc ; but its tWse dai'gers and perils, the family of Mr White bore jno ordinary share. At the 2e of nineteen, Hugh volunteered as a frivate soldier in the Indian' campaigns. H these dangeiMuft and doubtful cootlicts I mner warlare, he spent the years of lu i-aiiy manhood, wuli others of a kin dned spirit, in defending mothers and ives and daughters from the flames and the scalping knife. In these perilous iies, which put to such a severe test the masculine enemies of the pioneer. IWgti I- White was soon distinguished as a brave, vigilant, and untiring soldier. He possera a constitution peculiarly fitted for such ruad duties a constitu tion which has preserved its elasticity and firmness, almost in primitive vigor, beyond WU boundary ol three-scure years. These f ..I I... . I I r r . iJ ' arfc interesting on th occasion, only, as they were the rough rhol of discipline, in which he acquir- and strengthened those hard r Uoman virtues, which by universal eonsent, have inguied his character throughout his Me public career. , 1 jrhe early education of Hugh L. White m a thorough and extensive at he not marked hwn out as a man to whom the or to determine, as has often been eon- public interests might safely be entrusted, tended, why it is that patriotism exists. I his confidence so early acquired, and al- in so much mora elevated and fervent de- ways conferred without solicitation, was votion, in the retirement of the farm, than never in a single instance withdrawn a in the busy throng of crowded cities, noble tribute to exalted worth, of which Whether the fact be so or not, certain it few statesmen can boast. And the prcs- is that the noblest instances of sterling ent enviable position in which he stands to patriotism and hikh-souled principle that the people.of this great nationproves that have ever figured in the drama of human ibis confidence was never imudiciousW be- action, have been found among those " -1 ' . ... . slowed. I nvost devoted to agricultural nursuits. For the five succeeding years, Judge Hypocrisy and intrigue, which are the ti.'i j j ir.. i . .i 1 . j . r i one uevoieu aimaeii aiiremittingiy tome elements oi coniracieu minus. nave nought . . . . a . - a duties of his profession, and rapidly rose to do in the retirement of the farm $ but to high and honorable' distinction at the 1 far removed from the long catalogue of bar. The science of iurisnrudetice was I human frailties and vices, with which tf I - a his especial study and with such zeal the? are so painfull v conversant in public and ability did he enter into the investU life, the good and the great are gratified gation, that he was selected at the early with the view of the brighter side of hu- ige of twenty-eight, from a bodv of able inanity, and have ihere lo'deal with cha antl experienced lawyers, ttf till the office tractors and actions more congenial with of Judge of tho Superior Court at ihat) the simpilcity and greatness ot" their own tune the highest judicial tribunal in the natures. Lake Jenerson, and Washing State. This seat lie held till 1807, when ton, and Madison, and Jackson, Judge he resigned. I White could be induced to leave his farm a - a As a lawver. Judge White was one of nly when duty, which was the supreme the most distinguished in the early histo-Maw of his nature, demanded $ and when ry ol Tcnnesssee. Nor was the bar ol " was performed, lie lett the rivalries Tennessee, at that time, wanting in men nd commotion of public tile, without a of the first orxler in lers nttniniiipnt regret, to those whose business it was to Such men as Jackson, and Whiteside, and ustcr lheiu- V 9 rm. aaa' .a I aa . . . TO 1F uverton, ana fi. w, campoeil, were then About this time Juage vvmie was an in the prime ot their legal celebrity; and j pointed District Attorney tor the United with such men- was he associated upon (States, which station he soon resigned. the Bench. In legal argumentation. In 1807, he was elected a Senator to the Judge White had but few superiors : yet Stale Leeislature. While a member of ne was always as fair and honest in de-this body, he pei formed many important bate, as he was cogent. He never turned! services to Tennessee, and was the ati- aside to take advantage of quibb'es, and thor of our system of land law for which quirks, and senseless technicalities, bur ITennesseeans who lecollect the frauds built his premise upon the plain and ob vious meaning of the law : and with ab stract truth as hit guide, he seldom failed to carry his point. He viewed every thing like cunning and subtlety; in the plead ing at the bar, with as much detestation as he always has the tricks and manceuv res and intrigues of part politicians. It is hard to speak in just terms of his legal attainments without the appearance of ex aggeration i but there are jet those living who can state, that eulogy has ro part in this description. There nged be no bet- and controversies of the old system, will ever be grateful. The speech in whveh he advocated the measure, was one ot the first which he made as a politician, and was said to have been one of unusual power and cogency. In 1809, the Jadt riarv nf Tennessee was recogoixed, and a.f j hi iviiih.i..v -- . v.-. .... Suoreme Court instituted. In this high est anneHate' tribunal, he was appointed to preside although not a candidate, and was absent from the seat of Govern menttwo hundred miles, when the Le gislature conferred the appointment He J)hn Oserton and G. W. Campbell, and from his faithfulness and ability, acquired the utmost resnect and nonularitv from the people, bv whose delegated authority he had been appointed.! Previous to his resignation in 1815, he was elected Pre sident of the State Bank. Under his auspices, the institution flourished in a high degree, and acquired much character tor the prudence and abi' ty of its admi nistration, and the stability of its onera- tions. It obtained a standing in the west equally honorable to the State and bene ficial to its financial concerns. 'He con tinued twelve years at the head of this institution including the period of the late war a period which will be long re meinbered in the political history of tht United States for nscal distrust, confu sion and difficulty, and uhich, but for the energies of one man, would have render d bankrupt the credit of the whole na tion. But while engaged in, the double duties ot Judge and Piesident of the Bank,' he did not forget his country. During the darkest period of the Creek campaign. when General Jackson was surrounded with difficulties such as would have crush ed any other man, his brave men conten ding not only with savages, but wi'h fa mine and want, and sustaining life on roots and acorns, Hugh L. White left the bench, and with a single companion, the Hon. Luke Lea, started for ihe wilderness hired an Indian guide, and after scvera days and nights of perilous adventure found the General's encampment. H fold the i. Id veteran, that having heard n his difficulties, he had left his business and come to share his toils an dangers It was determined, afier some consults tion, that the Judge should return, through ihe w.ldrrness, to Tennessee, and exer his influence in raisinsr volunteers, ant procuring provisions for the distressed and famishing armv. While absent, on 1 a 9 this expedition he missed several terms ol his court, and bv ihe laws of Tennessee, the Judges were paid only in proportion to duty performed. The Legislature, in consideration of the great services he Jiad rendered General Jackson, passed an or- er, tiiat there should be no deduction of his salarv. But with 'characteristic magnanimity, he declined the offer, anil would receive no more than that for which he rendered actual service. He said that his country was in distress that the aid he rendered, was without the hope of re- waru, ami that he would receive none. In 1817, Hugh L. White was again e'ected Senator, bv a majority approach- unanimi'y, and served with accus tomed "distinction, the period for which he hail been elected. But the abilities of Hugh L. White were I too distinguished, and too well apprecia ted by his countrymen, to be confined within the limits of a sing?c State. He was appointed, in 1820. by Piesident V. on roe, one of the Commissioners under the Spanish Treaty, in conjunction .with Littleton W. lazwelland Gov. King. Previous to this time, his intention had been confined, chiefly, to the laws afi'ec- aa. aa . . . . ting individual rights, and private pro perty. The rights and laws of nations had little connexion with the administra tion of jutice, in an interior State. Bu as the sphere of his operations was widen ed, he was found to possess mental re- a - a a a sources corresponding to the .'increased demand. With such great success did he apply himself to the details of Commercial Maritime, and International Law, that he won the esieem and confidence of his a ble colleagues men who had been expe rienced, and profoundly versed in the science of Public Law. He held this ap pointment until 1824, at which time the Commission expired. In the same year he was again, unanimously, appointed a Judge of the Court of Appeals, but he de clined the appointment. In 1825, Gen eral Jackson resigned his seat in the U. States Senate, and Hugh L. White was unanimously elected to fill out the term. In 1827, he was again unanimously elec ted to serve the next six years"; And yet again, amidst the hottest party rancor. tin Legislature bestowed their undivided suffrage upon .him, for another term of a six years, in 1835. & Wc have now to review the life of Hugh L. White, in the most important and in teresjing'scenes, of the many, in which he has taken part. Hitherto, we have view ed him chiefly as a jurist and a local poli tician. But his life and acts become now identified with national history and national interests. And from the charac ter which he has acquired in this political capacity, from the ability and faithfulness i i i ,i:i .r .i. r 1, wiin wnicn ne nas . maviiaigcu. uie (unc tion, nf the high stations which he has oc cupied, must he stand or fall to the peo ple of the nation. Ten years ago, Hugh L. White brought into our national coun cils, great weight of character, lias he sustained it? At that time he had the un limited confidence of eveK party in thrGo vernment. Has he forfeited,' it? During this era of great achievements in our po luteal historymeirtorao e lor the revotu doctrines, which will distinguish this era of our poli'ieal hist"y for ages to come ! ..11 at f " luung an mis mignry conilict oi pnnci- a a a aw. a . a, ? . . piC llugh L. White has been constantly upon the ground. He bore his part in them all, as friend or foe. He has fear- essly carried the standard into the thick-. est ranks, or checked the sallies of dan gerous rashness by the voice of wisdom and tne weight oi years. ? And now, at the close .of the drama, when the. conflict is over, and the elements nf strife are com posed! into harmony, and the horizon is brightening up, he, stands up before the people, whom he has helped to pilot out of the breakers, and asks to be tried by his actions. Upon the measures there ad vocated, by the opinions. there avowed, & by the honesty and ability there displavetl, let him oe tried Dy a candid and enlight ened people and upon the result, let him stand or tall. Justice and candor de mand no more than this. Let this be done and justice and candor will be sat isfied. This period is too fresh in the memory of all, and the measures too no toiinus to be detailed in this place. But durkig this comparatively short period of his pub ic career, more weighty subjects have been discussed more d-oubtfur pwnts of national policy settled more difficul ties removed from the free adminislralinn of Government more political heresies broached and extenninateri, than in any other period of American history of tin same length. The whole theory of Gov eminent has been subjected to an inquisi tion,' which spared neither the ancient. nor the venerable, nor the strong, nor the weak. In the scales of justice or hones ty, they have all been weighed, and have found the level, or the supposed level, of their merits. Its maritime anil commer cial policy has been tevolutionized. Its banking establishments upturned. The powers of the General Government in In ternal Improvements and Executive Pat ronage, have been scrutinized anil settled. Thejirigin and nature of ihe Federal Com- i "4 - a pact have been discussed with earnestness and ability; and its value has been calcu-, lated, and its fundamental principles ban died about . with the familiarity of toys. These momentous questions have all ben settled, and the people have fixed upon the result the seal of their sanction. The man who can pass such an ordeal unscath ed having borne an active and energetic part in them all, to, say the least of it, does not lack experience in public a Hairs which would fit him for any office in the Government. With what character Judge White has passed through these scenes, is known to every man in the nation. His political doctrines are of the great repub lican schooi. During Mr. Adam's Ad ministration, when the Panama mission was agitated, in which was brought into dis cusio i the powers f the G neral Govern ment" Hugh L. White opposedthe mea sure with unusual ability. As to the Tariff, he has always shown a firm but ra tional opposition to it, both by his vote & upon the floor. In 1826, he. avowed him self an enemy to exfonaive Executive Pat ronage, and the measures naturally grow ing out of it. Internal Improvement by the General Government has never metJ his sanction. When the subject of Exe f ions, but mind alone can command mind. t was great moral and intellectual strength based upon the most commanding civie courage, the lottieu attribute ot mind, that awed the combatant into respect, and challenged their homage, t -J , The intellectual character of Hugh L. White would bear a fair comparison with. the first talent in the Senate. As an o- rator, in the popular acceptation of tho erm, he is not as distinguished At manf members hvthe House of Congress. He posesses little of that rich profusion '"'of imagination, which throws such a charm over the oratory of a Clay, or a Pinckney or a Wirt. But if oratory means the car- r . t a. a;, a - cutive Patronage was again brought lore the House, under the change of Ad ministration, Huh L. White advocated the same principles,'though for his consis tency he has been accused of deserting the present Administration. The man who possesses principles which are too stub born to bend fur office or emolument, for smiles or frowns, cannot be justly.accused of desertion." If there has been a change any where, it is in the desertion of pre sent Republicans from the principles which they held ten years ago. But Hugh L. White is to be viewed in a still more conspicuous light. In 1332, John C. Calhoun resigned the Vice Pres idency of the United States, and the Se nate was left without a presiding officer It was on the eve of that memorable ses sion, when the debate upon the Tariff hud well: nigh severed the Union. The first talent of the nation was there congrega ted, and every man had arrayed himself on one side or the other. The prize at issue was the .Constitution. And the lea ders of the respective divisions came arm ed with the desperate resolution to carry . i t a L their measures, wougn disunion on one side, and civil war on the other, were the consequence. Proud in the strength conscious greatness, irritated by supposed aggressions ol tyranny, and discordant to a degiee that almost banished deliberation, they foresaw that troublous time was not far distant. ' It was seen that no ordinary mind could be able to curb the outbreak ings of passion, and maintain its equipoise through so doubtful a contest. In full view of all these difficulties, Hugh Law son White was elected President of the Senate and how be sustained the exalted expectations f that body and the nation, is now a matter of history. The firmness, impartiality, decision, and dignity with which he presided over the stormy debate, proved Vhat no false estimate had been lionizing of our national policy for thelplaced upon liiscliaracter.r But mildness demolishing oblong csUblishetl anstitu' an lionesty4 atone would not haytbrri tions, and the building of new for bold mandetl respect in so discordant and hos and untried adventures in the theorjr indltUe a body. Virtues may sway the affec- rying of the point, and! the demolishing adverse positions, he has few superiors. As a reasoncr and debater, he has shown Strang1 h and cogencylof argument,on iiioro than one occasion, which would ranic mm . a one of the ablest logicians on the Boor of Congress. His speech upon the Tndian question, which was made too, under cir cumstances in which few men would havo chosen to appear in their seats, was con sidered one of the most powerful efforts ever made in that body, and of the sam character were his speeches upon the Pa nama Mission. In the discussion of the latter, Hugh L. White was particularly, distinguished and the Combatants of that debate were no stripplings in mind and attainments. The profoundesl talent in the nation, and 'the deepest constitutional learning, were brought to bear upon it but the apeech of Hugh L. White , was pronounced to be the ablest exposition of the powers of Government made during the whole discussion, i The character of his reasoning partakes of the dominant qualify or his mind. He never descends Irotnthe lofty position of honqr and self respect, to avail himself of the cunninjg , ' tricks of controversy, or of adroit subter fuges or to avoid conclusive arguments by a stroke of wit, or conceal beneath a flood of idle declamation the falsehood or weakness of his premises. He attacks no subject in theanAr',' but marches up, bold and fearless, to the front, and marks ut Ins positions with such precision, and lays his premises so deep and sure, that he seldom fails to reduce thVtnemyi? This is the order of mind that seems pe culiarly adapted to the discharge of diffi cult and heavy duties. Of our seven Presidents, but one was an orator ; and he was the most unpopular that ever sat in the Chair. In the bold characteristics : of his mind. Judge White approaches nearer Washington, Monroe and Madi son. Every subject which he touched seemed moulded ino the greatness of his own mind and of him it might be sa fely aid, as it was of anojher great man, that he never undertook to prove, what he did not establish ; yet Madison possessed but lew of the charms and graces of oratory. A a statesman, Hugh -L. White hat sustained a character ToC talents equally, honorable to his station" end his countrv, till he was sixty-fwo years of 'age." Jno man ever doubted them. He had grown old in honors ; and envy or jealousy had not breathed a word of dissatisfaction -ho lad held some of the Highest and most re sponsible offices within the gift of the peo ple, and he discharged them as they ner- " er were better, before or since. But in hit ixty-third. year, it was discovered that lit be- the nublic had been deceived that this great debater and profound statesman had no mind, Alas, nolitical consistencv 1 And what increases the wonder of the dis covery is, that those that had ever been,.; readiest to acknowledge his talents and- extol his worth, are the first to mark tho detection,1! Whether the deficiency of talents be as great in the venerable states man, as the want of honesty to the noltti cal inquisitor, we leave to the peopbyto decide. 1 " His consistency as a politician has lonr been proverbiat. A change ofad ministra tions creates no change in his doctrines, throws no new flashes of light upon a ques tion, and brings to view ho unseen excel lencies which before were not known to exist. The waxing and waning, of power bring no tin easiness' or terrbra.to him and the periodical ebbing and flowing of opinions, leave his principles as firm .and unshaken as the ocean rock, while tho empty spray serves but to cleanse them of ' their dross. In the administration or Mr. . Adams, he opposed the extension of Ex -ecutive patronage upton principle. In 1835, these principles had not changed, arid hoi opposed itagaio. Those who thrive and fatten by fawning and sycophancy, and float on the tide of jiarty through every administration, call this adhesipu to prin ciple, desertion of the ranjes." Hugh ; L. White belongs to no ranks, and never did, but the, ranks of the Constitution.- And when man of those who mavbav(B happened to agree in opinion with himt. are found sliding into error,hc asks only to , be permitted to retain his original grounds , out lecnot inesuDjeci De ioo tiuaciy auica, lest it be found that ihis accusers have de- served pnncmle tneX the charge of i neon sistency is more easily imposeupon i9thers than it is shaken oft when truth has fastened it npon Urenf;1 selves.,.-.. ..:'' : ris-l 1 To; the calnvAndjiiulosopbicbterT of the tide of human aftirs, who is oaab quaihted with the moral code, and the; phancy of conscience, of the bumble fr& - ! "Vf- 4 ', 1 1 i : ; 1 t t - W ji I f -X
July 12, 1836, edition 1
1
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75