Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1840-12-03
For the EdgcfeM Adcertiscr.l
WASHINGTON Han
University IF HiEgini0

of SOUTH Carolina When the mciauchO!ly in
telligeuce first reached lis place, some faint
shadow of hope. as to its truth, prevented our
giving euiire credemce to the tragical affair.-
But il is now too sadly confirmed and our much
esteemed friend sleeps in deaths cy embrace.
He has been cut off in the spring time Of his
existence, and we are left To weep over the
many generous qualities Of his nature-the bud
was just opening-its promised fragrance was
adding new charms to its lovelinesS-hur alas !!
it has been thus early nipped 10y an unrmry
frost, and consigned to wltler and decay.
"Al that's bright must fade,
The brightest still the fleeiest;
All that's sweet was made.
But tn be lost, when sweetest"
When we reflect that he was distinguished
alike for his benevolent spirit, nobleness of
heart, aud superiority of talents the sympa.
ihetic tear starts to swim the eye and mosten
the cheek, on account of his unhappy fate.
shall attempt 20 pronounce no eulogy OIL his
character. but the s0rrOwcd cuunteuanres
which surround me. proclaim the estimation
in which he was held bv those whose fortune.
it was 10 be associated with him, during his
connexion with this Institution, and their griei'
al his premature end. The distinguished honor
conferred on him. by the Society las, session,
to represent ns on the OCCASION OF our Ami.
versary as Orator is an evidence of onr esteem
for his talents aud virtues, in our corporate
capacity.
Itisa pleasing task to bear testimony to his
surviving relatives. of the inestmahe quail.
ties of him we have mutually lost. therefore
beg leave to submit the following Resolutions,
for the consideration of the Society:
Fes0ired, Tha; we have received with pro-
found sorrow. the lniellgenc" of the deatl, of
Thomas Butler Bird. of ). Carolina our fellow
student during the two past sessions. and an
honorary member of this body.
Rcsolred. That we tender to the relatives of
the deceased onr heartfelt sympathy in their loss
Resoired. That we wear the usual badge of
morning for thirty days, rs testimony of our
esteem for the memory Of our deceased friend.
Resolred. That, Il Committee Of Five be APP
pointed to transmit these proceedings to the
fnthcr Of the deceased.
On the question Of the adoption ofthese Res
oluions, Mr.. Bank had made the following re-
marks. 4 copy of which was requested by the
Society, for publication:
"Mr. President, propose, with your per-
mission, to say few words in memory of our
departed friend, and how sincerely do wish
that some caI,se les, grievolls and less nIean.
wise Agreeable. But however great, and how
ever irreparable to doa,ins parent, and to
many adniring friends. the loss may be yet of
a truth, does it afford us no little pleasure TO he
abb. to bear teStimnnv to the many virtues OF
him who has left us. lie has Been premature.
ly usl,ered into the presence Of just and inds-
ing God. Yes! his noble spirit, uncontamina.
ted as yet by the cold dealings of caous
word-with q heart as yet unhardcned by
aught thai could dciilc it viii, feelings and with
principles az pure as when first lie came among
us-has left this spot where all is evil and car
ried up. on wings Of Christian faith, to Heaven
has been merged into that great master spirit
of which it was apart. A mi ghty spirit is eclip-
sed and it is made our melancholy duty
ITO mourn the vanished beam, and add our
mite of praise"
And with no little satisfaction do we perform
this last sacred duty, for we have known him.
and those many noble traits IF character and
mind evnced so often in our very midst, all
sufficiently Justify IT'S in awarding to him the
merit those resolutions propose His faults,
(if any,) were but few, and the high otli"cs
which, during the two previous sessions. the
Washington Society has seen fit 10 confer on
him. plainly indicates that his virtues were
many.
"But cold in the earth, lies the friend we have
loved,
Be his faults and his follies forgot by us then
OR if from their sn,,bcr, the veil be removed.
Weep over him in silence. and clos il again.
But have you thonght what they have lost
who nursed his infant years? Who, when
they taught their lovely babe to lisp his fathers
name-l0oked with smiling faces and with
L.. G,,tp
that he might yet be spared to bless them for
itilde, TO weep the loss Of one they loved, per-
hans toe we'll And that poor father, doaiing
with paternal fondness upon his beloved son.
is now left desoate. and the hopes of future
years now lie blighted, scattered and DESTROYED
He indeed, may acqniesce with no good grace,
To an Almighty power, that has torn from him
his child He may adopt the beautiful lines of
the poet.
"Twas even thus from childhoods h our,
I've seen ,ny fondest hopes decay;
luevcr loved n tree or flower,
But twas the first to fale away "
There are some of you. perhaps, who knew
him not, but can assure you, that" none knew
him, but 10 love him." Let us then offer to the
bereaved friends of Thomas Butler Bird, our
nearttU SympaIny, Let Us SeHh iorth to me
world this slight attestation made by those,
VINO. from the nature of their intercourse, were
best able TO form an adequate idea OF his COM
n,anding in,elect-his noble heart, and gencr-
Gus dispostion.
Light be the turf of thy tomb.
May its verdure like crneralds be,
There should no, be shadow Of gloom,
IN augbt tha, reminds us Of thee"