Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-09-18
From Correspondent Of Southern Literary Messenger
III. -. LEGA IRE,
LATE ATTORNEY GENERAL or rnE UNITED STATES

observe with sincere satisfaction in the last number of
ue Messenger that you invite columns fitting notice
:" e character oi the distinguished man, whose recent o
under circumstances alike imposing and affecting the ma
ton has been called To deplOre IL y homage most anna
Paiely due from the patriotic literature of country =, the
memory OF one who, always Jealous woshipper at it,
shne, mas dome much assert its dgay and lin.
Uae lti usefulness, connection with the hig hest
suns oi sHc1l and active life. The theme demands ,
pei Wh ca mas Other qualifications than those which an
' anu deV bcd friendship alone supply DO Justice
10 MA all the breadth and elevation OF its moral dignity and
s'Ueu'' but there are some reflections growing Of
inc recent death o III. = Lcglre and the national MOURNING
"Sh as lOiowed II, that untuioTed hand under
'he instructive guidance Of the Leart may be excused for
attempting present.
Tho first observation, which occur. 10 the mind in con
'empIaIng this iamenied event. which, out Of the
very dept OF the public alcon has occasioned Lrin.
o' soi encouragement 10 every sincere aud honest pat
nor ana rs iul O instructive lessons the generous and rs
pfIhg youth OF the country. All have remarked and
ny not without SURPRISE te loud and universal acc aim
81 mingled sorrow ana praise which followed TO the tomb
one whose habits and tastes throu "a hfe cherished the
privacy OF tndious retirement-who, far from courng
shulned the public gaze except when an impcrio sense
oil d"y brought him before t-wD never cultivated Do
PuaTy however hs esteemed H. when the reward of viz
tnous uciionsand who from his Utmost heart ,esuisrl IA
!" ms Ioy and burning eoluencc, he was ever wont Il,
T'anu; 'he unworthy arts Of the demagogue. The man
nus honored and lamented his death was neither Ia.
a'ote nor the nursing Of party. lie had, indeed grave
~ offended the spirit OF party more than one occasion
by me independence and the conscientious integrity with
winch nc pursued ihe convictions Of lis own Judgment
where he believed the interests OF his country al stake As
consequence Of this inexoiy of principle as well as of
MS Teting and unobrusiyc personal habits his career
WINE I'lng, had not been attended, degree cores
pohd"s 10 ms rare e"dowments, with all those external
evidences Of public considerations which his friends who
IN inc unreseryed freedom Of private intercourse had been
aoe 10 sound the depths OF his genius and resources well
knew hc uerted such, however the winning pawcr Of
virtue ana talents when separated from the ordinary
accessories oi party popularity, that he daily though
silently growing IN the sober and confidence of the
country; and when length! IA. hand Of death arre.tcd
him IN the noble path of his usefulness the national appr
cauon OF him. which had been lying comparatively dor
iaht ul"Sh all the while warming the hearts of gene
TouS ana enlightened people, suddenly bur, forth in one
general symphony OF lanenation and exalted praise
Let al who engage in the service Of their country with
elevated views and powers Of ueefaness take
courage from this example. Sooner later the reward of
public appreciation and gratitude will nfaiby crown eyer
career winch rests ITS solid and mpcrshabe titles ";e
pursuit oil noble ends by noble means" Let vverish
anA'i tor spurious and fleeing noiorcty lead the aspi
RAM LOT pubc esteem 10 put lis in specous arts s-
Per'cal a,ainmonts accommodating suppeness rs avail
able substitutes for that aborous and various training and
application OF the faculties moral aud intellectual BY which
only genuine and enduring popularity can be won Let
W equip himself tor the stern conflict Of public duty from
e aroy oi knowledge and virtue, where only weapons
oil the uc temper for such warfare be found and
O' 20 oI 10 battle IN the mimic accOuremcnts OF the toy
shop Let him indulge an undue so.icitude Ia orr,Iv
popularity Let his aim rather be DESERVE it, Let hin,
exhibit IN superior knowledge aud acquremens-in the
GiSeni ana unurng cultivation OF ell the capacities of
nsH pubic seulness-n noble and elevated principles Of
dc' Ae authentic credentials oi his mission serve his
country and his country WILL III time. call for and honor
INN, or 1t she does the loss will be hers not his
The example addresses itself with equal emphasis TO the
gHed youth OF the country who have yet tue
arena OF active oxeron, but who looking forward with
generous aspirations from the silence and discipline OF their
aceademc retreats, TO tie part they hereafter 10 act upon
ue busy Stage OF HE The deSpondng seamentaity of
the poetic muse rather the dangerous sophtry OF that
Inprota sirsn desidId, the natural Incidence of man
Is not unireguenty invoked discourage manly and
strenuous ambition, by poruayng in funeral colors
the ultimate vanity and fi,essness Of all human pursuits
We are sometimes asked, in the nsapplied angua, e
OF unessonng elegy, why scJm delights and live abori
Gus days. IN the vain pursuit Of fame seeing that,