Anecdotes of public men; by John W. Forney.

ROBERT J. WALKER. 119
fectually aided to bring about the action of the Harrisburg Convention, which nominated the hero of New Orleans for that office in 1824. In the spring of 1826 he removed to Mississippi,
and practiced his profession without taking any political office
until ten years later, when he was chosen a Senator in Congress,
and served until 1845, when he was called to the Treasury Department by President Polk. He excelled as a writer for the
newspapers, and as a popular orator; was capable of prodigious mental toil; had unequaled memory, rare enthusiasm, and
intense convictions. Large reading, polished manners, singular generosity, and simplicity of character completed the qualities of a successful leader. His arguments in the Senate were
masterpieces. He there brought to the discussion of every
question all his peculiar powers. Without considering his freetrade ideas, which are still the subject of animated controversy,
it is simple justice to state that he contributed immensely to
many important reforms in the public service. He was the advocate of a liberal land policy, the champion of public improvements, the antagonist of religious intolerance, the fearless enemy of nullification, and he will perhaps be better remembered
for the part he acted when he reluctantly accepted the position
of Governor of Kansas in 1857. Sent there by an Administration which betrayed the solemn pledge upon which alone it was
elected, he was believed by the pro-slavery men to be in hearty
sympathy with their plans; but sustained by his independent
secretary, Hon. Frederick P. Stanton (still living in Washington, where he was born, and deservedly prospering in the practice of his profession of the law), he soon discovered that he
could not second that betrayal without the loss of his own
honor. He revolted from the unblushing frauds sought to be
perpetrated in the endeavor to force slavery into Kansas. But
what Reeder and Geary had done under Pierce in the same position, he did under Buchanan, with even more courage and
effect. At that time my paper, The Press, was in the throes