Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1824-08-10

medicine, compounded oil sulphur and
balm of Giiead. He could make long
prayers, or no prayers at all, as occasion
required. He was troubled with dis
ease called yank eeism, which made him
run dog-mad at the sound of african
freedom and 6iue laws, but could cure
himself again by taking a large dose of
Billipgsgate. Many have doubted the
capacity of his optics to discover truth
from talsehood. II was great listener
TO political conversations, and always
appeared arrectiS aurtbns. His tongue
was very musculous and subtitle; and
the facility with which he could twist it,
even up into his nose, is wonderful
This faculty was most apparent, when
he was tipping in groceries and grog-
shops-a vice TO which he was much
addicted, especially with low company.
As to his understanding, it is extreme
ly difficult to speak of it With any degree
OF precision, or intelligence. His intel
lectual powers were SO perfectly unique,
that / is impossible to refer them to any
known S andard. AS an evidence of the
poverty OF his mental endowments, he
was not able to comprehend some of the
most obvious truths-such as that all
men are born free and equal. He could
never be made 10 understand the first
sentence IN the declaration of American
independence. Great pains were taken
to teach him mathematics and ari,hme-
TIC. Indeed scarcely a day passed in
which he was not exercised IN the sci
ence oil numbers by counting his friends !;
but with all his training he seems to have
been perfect doIt in this branch Of
knowledge. He committed the gross
est plumbers in notation, by callng tens,
hundreds; and in simple addition he was
equally stupid, for he reckoned up twelve
acknowledgements for four hundred friends.
1t is the impression of some OF the
Sam, Clalriies, that white living in Ca
hokia, Ius, before his death, he contract.
ed fondness for Missouri voters. /
am sorry 70 relate that his character for
truth and fairness stands lower in tia,
county than IN any Other. Perbaus il
may arise from being better Known
IL
have the best Evidence of his being a
'p1snacions aninal,' having displayed,
while there, exuaold lnary pusiiislic
powers.
/. Is remafkahle that all his name
sakes we're retailers oil s,rooy drink
some ol whom have CONE 70 ,heir end,
II Is feared, by .nttmpe;aace.
HIS only child vas a daughter, name,
Dlseordia, and il affords me great nles
sure 10 announce that she died last Ss.
tnrday evening, INST after the mail can,
~, OF despair had many friend,
and enemies, hn they all lndiscrimina,e
~ followed her 10 The lonely mansion
and buried their niutuai anrnosl,iss il.
one eot"fnoh gfaVe--and hope, so deep
they viii never experience q res,Iryec
ton Ehis circumstance deem yood
omen; and lhink a rr.onume with
suitable inscription, oneh' to be prepar-
cd al the public expense, co,nlnemors.
tive OF the happy event.
Such is the vanderbilt individual. wh.j
Tor toe last two years, has attracted ,be
attention OF The public. have writer
this brlaf sketch OF his character, witt
The hope that 10 wight OF an historian
VIII presume to give more detailed
account OF his percentage, birth, life, aoe
death. A more Difficult, piece of biopra
>phy was never undertaken. No per,na
ncnt record of his existenee. should he
suffered tc remain, and the few brief me.
morals, which have mere cmbodjcc
Tor publication, in The fugitive form of 3
newspaper, viii not go down to noste.
riiy. his name and memory, | hope
VIII be baried IN the grave OF obliv ion
with all the d!scord ne has cngendered
and that not even stone VIII raise its
front to tell the world where they lie
lie has passed of the stage With so little
reputation 10 himself, and been so com.
pieiely toiled in the object for which he
came among US, there is no danger o.
hls re-apps'ring Tor the same purpose
10 secore perpetual friendship between
those whom he has placed in hostile ar
ray, and mutual forgiveness and forget
fu'ness OF what is past, propose thai
the Legislature pass law, prohibiting
every person from mentioning his name
@ithn the limits of the state, under The
/ penalty OF being made slave. We
have precedent for such an act. Il is
recorded OF certain ancient people, tha
wishing TO eHace the memory of one .
her countrymep, on account of som,
infamous conduct, they passed a law tina
ms name shouldncver be spoken; whic h
says the historian, was the only means o
causing II to be remembered. But a.