Daily National Intelligencer

THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.

We have announced, by authority, the appointment of SMITH THOMPSON to the office of Secretary of the Navy. Designating him more particularly, it might have been stated, that he was, at the time of his appointment, Chief Justice of the state in which he lives, and has always enjoyed the respect of virtuous and patriotic men. What more may be said on the occasion of this appointment, the reader will gather from the following extracts from New York newspapers, of opposite political complexions.

FROM THE NEW YORK EVENING POST.

With no common sincerity, we congratulate the public on this event. We shall not be suspected of a design to flatter, if we say unhesitatingly that, in making this selection, the President will have given the greatest satisfaction to the citizens of the state of New York. Whatever may have happened during the irritations of party feeling, no man alive ever denied to the gentleman now appointed the character of a clear and unblemished integrity. When Pope wrote, "An honest man's the noblest work of God," it was but a poor compliment paid to a negative quality; but now-a-days, as times go, its rarity raises it to the rank of a cardinal virtue.

One serious regret only mingles with the pleasure we should otherwise experience on this occasion; and that is caused by the loss of such a man upon the bench of our supreme court, which, we much fear, such is the state of things, will not be supplied by any one who has nothing else to recommend him than the qualities of competence, probity, and attachment to the constitution of our country. Whether this appointment is, in a prudential view, worth the acceptance of Judge Thompson, we do not know, nor whether he will resign for it his office of chief justice.

FROM THE NATIONAL ADVOCATE.

We are gratified to observe that Mr. Thompson, the respectable chief justice of this state, has been appointed Secretary of the Navy, in the place of Mr. Crowninshield. This nomination, while it affords satisfaction and pleasure to the citizens of this state, and, doubtless, will be approved generally throughout the Union, cannot fail to secure to the country the beneficial services of an experienced, judicious, and able citizen. Judge Thompson is a republican of an orthodox character; and though, from delicacy and respect to his judicial functions, and also to preserve unsullied those feelings of independence and justice incumbent on his station, he has not been a warm or active politician, he has not the less felt that respect and good wishes for the republican ascendency which republican principles merit. Such a citizen will ever claim the esteem of his country.