Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1831-10-14
MAJOR BIDDLE.

city
Major Thomas Biddle, whose untime-
| iy death the community are now called
upon to deplore, was in the 4lst year of
ms age at the time of his decease.-
During the last war, Maj. Biddle was an
officer in the army, and served as cap
tain Of the artillery during the severe
campaigns of 1913 and 1914, on the
northern frontiers. He was in q regi-
ment under the command of Gen. Scott,
and acted distinguished part at the
capture of fort George.
Atthe commencement CT the battle Of
ChipPeway, a picket guard under the
command of another officer had been
routed q running away when they were
rallied and led back to their post by
Capt. Biddle, in way which elected
the marked applause of the command
ing general. 1T the battle of Lundy's
Lane, one of the most murderous con-
iilcts Of modern times, he particularly
distinguished himself, by bringing off
the field the only piece of the enemy's
artillery which was retained by the A
mericans, as trophy ofthe hard fought
battle. The identical piece is now, we
believe, preserved at Washington. bear
ing an appropriate inscription commem-
orative of the gallantry of its captor.
AT the siege Of fort Erie, and during
. the memorable period of gloom and des-
Pondency, Capt. Biddle rendered him
self as conspicuous for his persevering
tlrmness and fortitude while Shut up in
the fortress and surrounded by numer-
Gus and eXasperated foe, as he had for
merly done for his active and energetic
courage. His companions in arms still
remember and delight to commemorate,
the efficiency Of his services at that crit
zeal period.
After the conclusion of peace, Capt.
Biddle was brevetted with the rank of
major, which rank he held, together
with the office of paymaster in the u. S.
army, at the time of his decease. Ma
jor Biddle removed to this city MANY
years since, and has ever been consider
ed one of its most active, intelligent and
enterprising citizens. Prompt and deci-
ded in his conclusions, and Justly relying
on the conviction of his own Judgment,
If he sometimes erred, it was the lot of
humanity and few men could Law claim
to more originality ofcharacter and vi
gor of intellect than he. To his honor
as soldier and his fidelity as a friend
his numerous surviving acquaintance
can testify and to his devotion as hus-
band, the sorrows ola heart broken wild
ow bear melancholy evidence.
That such man should fall victim
to those false notions of honor, which
are, alas so prevalent, cannot be too
deeply regretted. And we do most fer
venty hope, that we may never again
witness such another tragedy as that
which has deprived US of the gallant and
lamented BIDDLk.
-7E6Ge-
TIE SoUTm CAROLINA PLANrrR-
The following article is taken from the
Chameleon, paper printed at the Uni
versity of Virginia =
"Ifyou are his guest, he tells YOU that
his plantation is your own, and while Won
remain it is such, in all things but the IT,
tie deeds.-You cannot stay too long. or
take too much of the choice old wines
or curse the tariff too roundly. On this
subject he can swear too, with good EN-.
phasis, and as he believes with good dis
cretion. | am myself no friend to that
system. and | deprecate the disseptions
that 1T causes to rage but cannot while
l wish modification, consider it the
sole occasion ofthe present depression of
property in South Carolina. Were tire
pealed, perhaps the Carolinians would be
surprised that all things would not ensue
to their own advantage The planter is
impoverished, and he feels it deeply for
poverty is to none so irksome, as TO the
proud and generous, or to those who
have once been rich. He sees in New
England neat villages, farms, and gain
Iul employment Of machinery-he con
trasts these with the state of his district
and is willing to attribute the difference
to the tariff, as Andrew Feuservice re-
lerred all moral and political evil to the
sad and sorrowful union. A years resi-
dence in New England village would
give him, Oh these points useful intelli-
gence. Hewould then see that every one
tolls; the sons plough, the daughters spin
and few are idle but those who are CON
tented to be poor. The system Of econ
omy is as rigid as that Of toll and few
OF those sons of frugality will lightly
part with what was slowly and hardly