American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1825-08-02
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Profession induced him TO retire from Charleston
to interior district and in this residence he firss
acquired political consideration BY series OF
essays, which he published in q newspaper, on a.
proposed change in the Consultation of the State
He was soon elected into the legislatures in OF der
that he might concur in the accomplishment Of OBJ
jec,s which he had ably discussed. The repua.
ton which he gained on this scene, as speak
er and man OF business, directed TO him The no-
tice OF his constituents in regard to more impcr-
tant province They placed him IN Congress, and
he fulfilled. member Of that body, the highest
ex pecta,ions which they and his other numerous
friends IN the State could have entertained
Soon after the downfall of the Federal party, he
withdrew from Congress, with the intention Of
Stunning the practice of the law 10 South Carolina
and improving the condition Of his private affairs,
which necessarily suffered much during his devo-
lion to public Blu; his marriage wits
the daughter OF that venerable patriot, Charles
Carroll OF Carrollton, who resided in Maryland,
induced him to select Baltimore as his permanent
residence and the chief theatre Of his professional
efforts. His fame as politician and orator attract
ed clients at once and though he had been for
ny years estranged from bis profession, he soon ac
Quilted himself at the bar SO as to divide employ
ment and empire with the mightiest OF his breth
rem.
About the years 1819--20, in order to
away the impressions left upon his own mind and
beloved child he set out for Europe with part Of
his family, and visited IN succession England,
France and Italy. He was absent from home
Ivy two years, occupied in the contemplation OF
scenes and commerce Of society, which most have
yielded rich harvest of pleasure and profit to
understanding cultivated SO largely as his had been
through European channels, and fully nyigo-
'ated by his American training. Peculiar auspices
and his own reputation and merit, procured for him
access to many of the most renowned personages
and brilliant circles both of Great Britain and the
continent. For an American, he travelled with
almost unryalled advantages within the limits Of
space and time which his domestic situation pre-
scribed.
He returned from abroad as all Americans Of
sound mind and heart do, with increased prefer
ence and attachment for the political institutions
and social order of his native land, The love Of
Republican freedom and hatred of all tyranny could
not be vigorous and deeply rooted 10 any boz
som.
In private life General Harper had signal VIC
tues and attractions. His relatives and trends
knew well the warmth and tenderness OF his heart,
and the generosity of his disposition His attach
ments close, and it may lie said almost irwin
cible while his enmites founded in every case
upon the idea of baseness or wickedness, were ex-
empt from rancor and easily yielded to time and
events NO oblIque nor bitter rivalry, no narrow
jealousy, nothing low sordd infested his thoughts
or aCtOnS ne COntTiOutcu hiu, praise anu sym
paihy wherever they were due The lived with eie-
giant hospitality and enjoyed the company of the
! young and the gay. In conversation, of which he
took large. earnest share, he excelled, perhaps
even more than he did in public speaking. He
seemed 10 remember wildly whatever he had SEEM
heard read the transactions and aims OF parties
? and the characters and lives of public men were
wonderfully famlar 10 him; he had the widest and
y the most varied personal acquaintance; he could
speculate and expaate upon all themes-no one talk
ed in more easy terse, correct and connected SEN
fences; and it seldom that he did not meet with
! willing listeners.
If he harbored at any time merely political pre-
iudces against individuals, their force was spent in
latter years - he made liberal estimate Of the
motives and qualities of his old antagonists he me-
yer avoided social intercourse with any SUCH but
. mixed with them in the kindest temper.
. In person, General Harper was above the middle
= size we'll shaped muscular and robust of erect,
firm gait of regular features and expressive coun-
tenance and Of active habitsfiis constitution was
strong. and equal TO fatigue, bodily or mental until
y within the last years after he had undergone a
severe attack of bilious fever. This cnfeebed and
,, extenua,ed his frame, and entaed upon him, or
u was followed BY dangerous affection called angina
pectors, which kills suddenly and when the patient
u may appear and suppose himself to De in good
i health Against this formidable enemy, be en-
&c poyed strict diet and regimen, and much exer
else In the open ar, anu al isp6h oei1reo " We
subdued He pcrsevered, however, in his probes
o, sional Iabors. Being engaged in very important
ID cause in the second week of January n Of the
I'd Baltimore Courts the task OF pleading it before the
re Jury devolved upon him, task which he finishes
% in the morning of the 14th and which he execut
N ed throughout in brilliant manner The nex
~ morning he breakfasted in good appetite and spirits
e. and on rising from table, slnod the fife with
'e newspaDer IN his hand In a few minutes he was
le nerceiyed to be falling by his son who caught him
We in bic arms but ere medical aid could be procured
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