Holly Springs gazette., 1843-01-20


llS43, for the purpose of paying some tribute
of respect to the memory of HARDY H
WHITAKER, Esq who departed this life on
the evening of the 10TH
On motion, Gen. A. B. BRApFoRp was
called to the Chair and J. w. CLApP ap
pointed Secretary
The object of the meeting was explained
in some pertinent remarks from the Chair,
after which JAMES NJ. GREER, Esq. address
sed the meeting as follows
Mr.. Chairman u have long been on
terms ofthe most intimate friendship with the
decd, and cannot.let this occasion pass with
/ out paying my humble tribute of respect to
his memory. | regard his past life as hav-
ing been one of singular and unbroken mer-
it. He was modest almost 10 the fault OF
timidity. / have never known him express
his opinions upon any subject, unless they
were tacltly or ayowedly called for by 9TH
ers. He invariably shrank from opportu-
ties that others sought for display. That ur-
banity and dignity which SO adorn the life of
private gentleman seemed intertwined
most happily in his very existence. 1t SEEM
ed to lend charm but rarely met with, TO
his intercourse with his friends.
He was a most laborious and untiring
student; he went deep into the hidden
founts of lore, and gathered there those mys-
terious gems of learning that SO highly a
dorm the human mind and heart, which he
shed In profusion upon the circle of lis
friends. who partook with him in spirit and
feeling. Though he had but little of that
tinsel fancy, which may be termed frost
work, that frets itself away in fne-spun
dreams, yet his Imagination was by no
means dead to the beautiful thoughts Of the
inspired bards This culture of his imagi-
nation was known 10 bu: few, for he had
too long accustomed his mind to travel the
rugged path of Juridical learning, to care
for the summer-day compliments that were
won by brilliant fancies. Truth and philoso
ply were sufficiently eloquent in themselves
to win his most fervent admiration He
sought the one by the aid of the other with
that indefatigable labor and earnestness that
subdues the mind and heart down to all that
is kind, tender and amiable.
Though his perceptive powers were suffi-
clent to discover the different bearings of
subject, yet he always peferred to analyse it.
and arrive at his conclusions through the
severe rules of logic. He had in so eminent
degree what is termed legal acumen,
among the profession that he ranked with the
oldest and most distinguished of this enlight-
ened Bar, who will long lament his early,
and l may add. unt;mely death.
1t was prophetic maxim among the an
clients that Those whom the Gods love,
die early" In this more enlightened age
may we not more properly say the very ills
of life incident to existence ITSELF are calcu-
lated in their nature TO chafe away the soon
est the purest and most refined spirits. The
decease of our brother but too sadly corrob-
crates the above image. The delicacy and
sensibility of bis frame of mind induced
those severe labors that closed his life in
the bloom of his youth.
There is. perhaps, but one thing more
| that should mention in this brief notice of
| departed worth. His clear intellectual en-
dowments and extensive research led him to
the firm and fixed beliefthat there existed
kind and benevolent God. That he had
placed man in this state of being for proba.
tionary purposes, and that he had endowed
him with superior wisdom and reason, that
he might clearly understand his mode ofeA-
istence here, and that it was perfectly ration
al he should convey to him his revealed
will through that revered Instruments the BIZ
bic, as the torch-light to guide him from the
snares and errors of his passage through
Iife He died leaning on this cherished
hope ofthe christian.
1 After the close OF Mr.. GREER's remarks
-.