The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-04-18

gislalivc body Of his native state, Mary
land, until 1888, when he was elected one
of the United States senators, and contln-
ued for three years TO act in this capacity.
The rest of his time, until he retired from
public life, in 1904, was passed as SEN
a,or of Maryland. In all these capacities
he had lief, behind him high reputation
for integrity. eloquence, and judgment.
1t is usual, with Americans, TO compare
the last thirty years Of his life to the In
dian summer. (what we call the Michael
mas summer, the short summer of the
south of Europe.) sweet as it is tranquil.
and parlaking neither of the fierce heats
of the earlier, nor the chilling frosts of,he
latter season. His days were both clown
ed with happiness, and heightened far be-
You'd the usual period Of human existence.
He lived to see the people, whom he had
once seen 100000 in number. pass twelve
millions; handful OF dependent coonisls
become a nation of freemen, dependent
settlement assume its place among the
first rate powers Of the world aud he
had the delight of feeling tina, to this con-
summation he had contributed his ample
share. AS no one had run so large a risk
by joining the revolution, so no one had
adhered TO the standard of freedom more
firmly, in all its fortunes, whether waving
in triumph, or over disaster and defeat
He never had despaired of the common
wealth, nor ever had lent his ears to fac
lous counsels never had shrunk from
any sacrifice, nor ever had pressed HIM
self forward to the exclusion Of men bet
ter fitted to serve the common cause.
Thus it happened TO him, that no man
was more universally respected and be-
loved; none had fewer enemies and,
Notwithstanding the ample share in which
the gifts of fortune were showcred upon
his house, no one grudged its prosperity.
1t would, however, be very erroneous
view of his merits, and the place which
he filled in the eye Of his country, which
should represent him only as respected
for his patriotism and virtues. He had
talents and requirements, which enabled
him eilectually to help the cause he cs.
poused. His knowledge was various,
and his eloquence was of high order.
1t was, like his character, mild and pleas
ing; like his department, correct and
faullless. Flowing smoothly, and execu-
ting more than it seemed TO aim at, every
one was charmed at it, and many were
persuaded. His taste was peculiarly
chaste, for he was scholar of eXlraordina-
ry accomplishments and few, if any, of
the speakers Of the new world came near
er the model Of the more refined oratory
practised in the present state. Nature and
ease, want of effort, gentleness united
with sufficient strength, are noted in its
enviable characteristics and as il thus
approached the tone of conversation, so.
long after he ceased to appear in public,
his private society is represented as dis
playing much Of his rhetorical powers,
and has been compared, not unhappily, by
later writer, TO the words of Nestor,
which fell like vernal SHOWS as he spake
to the people. In connections, whether
of the senate or multitude, such a speaker,
by his calmness and frmness joined,
might well hope to have the weight, and
to exert the central and mediatory author
ity of him, pietate gratis ct merits, who
"--regit dletis anmos ct pcctora mulcct."
In 1925, on the anniversary of the half
century after the declaration Of independ-
ence was issued, the day was kept over
the whole Union as grand festival, and
observed with extraordinary solemnity.
AS the clock struck the hour when the
mighty instrument had been signed, ano.
Their bell was also heard 10 tol-it was the
passing bell Of John Adams. one of The
two surviving presidents who had signed
the declaration. The other was JelIer-
son; and i, was soon after learned that, at
the same hour, he too had expired in a
remote quarter of The country.
There now remained only Carroll to
survive his fellows, and he had already
reached extreme old age, but he lived we,
seven years longer, and, in 1882, at the
age of 05, the venerable patriarch was ga
thered TO his fathers.