The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-06-13
THE DAILY UNION
GANsEvooRT NEVILLE.

Though much has already been said by the press
on the death of Gansevoort Melville, yet there
incidents connected with his life and character deep
ly interesting to the young men Of our country,
which deserve more than passing notice.
Ganseyoor Melville, though young in years, with
the disadvantages of self-educatlon, had already
acquired an eminence and reputation given to few
young men Of our republic.
As an orator he was peculiarly gifted His inn
aginalion was rich and brilliant, but strong and just,
combined with that extraordinary command of Ian
guage which gave peculiar power to his burning
thoughts and earnest manner. His heart was warm
and noble, as an orators should be, to move the
masses. He was also endowed with every exter-
nal attribute TO give effect to the fasclnatons of his
mind and manner. His voice was expressive and
yet its deep tones could be distinctly heard by
thousands. His figure was majestlc-some might
say, COLOSSAL his eye, large and black, with the
glance of Webster, and with head and forehead
whereon was stamped, by "the seal of Nature" the
elements of great and commanding character. HIS
mind and heart and personal appearance were alike
calculated to inspire that pride and admiration which
spring from the conviction that he would be worthy
Of the highest destiny which could be awarded to an
American.
In unison with the warmth of his feelings, he
was enthusiastic in his attachment to democratic
principles. During the presidential canvass of 1914
this spirit induced him to undertake a tour to the
southwestern States, to attend the great convention
at Nashville. How admirably he acquitted himself
there, in the presence of such orators as Cass and
Doug lass, Hise and Marshall and before the assem-
bled thousands Of Tennessee and Alabama, we
have the evidence of a statesman who, for twenty
years in the House of Representatives has heard
the first orators of our country, and who now occu-
pies honorable position in the cabinet Of the
President. At that time he wrote, Your friend
Melville made one Of the best speeches | ever
heard" His return through Kentucky, Ohio, and
western New York, gave him an opportunity to
measure his strength with some of the ablest men
Of our country. The large numbers Of people
which gathered TO hear him wherever he went was
an evidence that he had already foothold among
the masses of which an older statesman might be
proud.
Soon after the Inauguration Of President Polk, he
was rendered by the President the secretaryshlp of
the legation to England in a manner 80 frank and
kind, that he induced to accept 1t, against the
advice of some Of his most trusted friends. That
he acquitted himself in his honorable mission IN a
manner worthy OF himself and his country, Is one
Of the nobest consultations 10 his mourning friends
But It was beautiful TO see Mr.. Melville IN the fam
lily of his mother and sIsterS. He was not loved
but rather Idozed with love passing that Of
EARTH" and he reclprocated that attachment with an
intensity few "can wot Of"
From intimacy Of years, we may say that an
ihecuonate son, most devoted brother, a warm and
true-hearted friend, earnest politician with sa-
SacIty worthy of ripper years, gifted orator, ma
ture chivarous and lofty IN It's impulses, an amb-
tIon noble IN its objects, loving power and place but
his country more, with every attribute Of external
interest, constituted the person and character of
Ganseveort Melville.
When such men die in the sprlng-time of life, we
may mourn their loss, not alone for their friends
and family, whose anguish is
Past all wounds the quiVering flesh can bear"
but for their country. In this case the affection il
the deeper, as Gansevoor Melville gave every prom
se of career of elevated usefulness honorable dis
tincton, and devoted patriotism, such as republic
needs from her sons. c.
Waterford Saratoga CO., N. Y.