Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-05-05
Remarks. of Charles f. Pope. ESQ.

pose But wish pay M humble tribute OF praise To the
memory of a man, whose generous heart l loved, and
whose genius admired and mingle the gf Of private
friendship with the public his loss. From his
schcolboy days down the tragic close vi his fe-rom
the opening promises OF his youth, the fun maturity Of
his manhood, have known John Il. Peasants with the
intimacy OF BROTHER. He truly Of genius ne,
OF the order of tho bright in intellect but cold hear.
whom compelled admire, but love- but OF
that mpassioned order who, at the time give light
10 paths, and warmth TO cheer animate our
way. Ii Is true. that he had the inherent defect OF
the order which he belonged The zeal and adOur OF
his nature would sometimes hurry him into uansgssson;
but observed to me by gentleman well acquainted
with mankind that be, who bad fire enough carry
him sometimes beyond the mark would fully
up to H. But It his ardent nature would cause him 10
ansgres, his generous disposition brought him back again
with aaOnng repentance tor any injury be had DONE
No pride OF consistency pr JUDGE, malice. could
debsr I'm from making reParaton for any injustice done
by him, whether individuals communities he would
surmOunt all such barriers seek forgiveness those
he had wTonged, a. well pardon from his self
reProyng heart. To the charitable Institutions benevo
enI societies around HIM, no ready contributor both
with his ard eloquent and when the poor
him for aid his compassion seemed always forget his
own wants, and ms own limited means. A. much ad
mrod John II. Pleasants IN public life in private he
TO still more interesting When he occasionally sought
the county, which he loved, respite from the and
din Of the ciiy.-irom the slres of party and the weari
Of editorial abour it often my fortune be with
him Al such times. when wishing him at the family
dence in county, rarely found him in the house but
| had generally seek him in the fields. There | have
found him, either talking his interesting children
IN 81
y enjoying extensive and beautiful prospects which the
elevations about that residence known Command
II such times when his feelings refreshed by
the repose his mind eooured by the beauties OF the
surrounding county, that his various quirements al the
ready command OF mind like his, made delight, pri-
viege. TO be with him, and 10 hear him. He had the pow
OF giving degree of interest topics most homey
and common, which have found in any other man
But all his auence Of mind, there one particle
Ptdsnry sef-conce-but, their stead he had the
moot unaffected mOdesy, and ihat beautiful simplicity of
NJ is nj tha .b..
actesue, is generally the attendant of ntelects of the
highest order. We all, sT-Virgina-Ihe whole Union
knew and felt his power editor. With true percep
cn OF the duties and responsibility Of his position he
would polue his paper with ceutiousness in morals
or politics, but the contrary, earnestly incucaied
dience TO law love Of private aud public vue and that
devoted patriotism, which party ngrattude cannot chill
nor s persecution shake, but which still cings country
IN her disaster in her in her shame a. in her
glory. Entirely free from selshues he hated the dema
Gogne with his love for the dear people bis ps but
sel-loye in his hesron him and the whole Tribe of self
seeking politicians he made open war, and scorched and
consumed them ms burning He loved VIrg
MIA but ne loved her in with the Union and
ably and earnestly by the education of children
and the development Of her great resources carry her
back q the proud elevation conceded to her by her
| sister States. With this view, he recently making
powerful and last successful appeals Virginia on the
vital importance of education and improvement But alas
air. these eloquent appeals, which trumpet tongued were
heard from hill valley, from mountain TO plsn suddenly
csased-ther echoes died away-and the Of Virgins
still responding TO his call passes his grave Mr.
but in justice to The memory OF John H. Pleasauts mus,
say that he fell his postor II no had submitted TO the
public brand OF eowsdee he could held up hs
head again in Virginia community. Vain would have
been the merits Of his public services vain his states
manshP and vain the eoquence Of his mastery pen He
would have been withered by the Of public Contempt
that sneeT which neither the philosopher even the
/ Christian, encounter without shrinking Why our
very maidens would have CURED their lips in beautiful dis
dam at such submission. Will any one question the truth
OF my representation Of public sentiment this sub.
ecR II so, ask who'hss been punished for duelling
| since the foundation OF this Commonwealth Have
laws against it, frsm their enactment TO this time
slept the sleep OF death bOok1 Ave- SIR
they have fallen still born ~ our Halls Of Legislation.
In Kngy Governments laws may be enforced in despite
Of pubic ssniimeni-in government like ours, never
here public opinion Is monarch. II the force Of this
public opinion which carried John H. Peasants 10 the field
there demonstrate by the desperate exposure Of his
life, his undauned bravery Yes sir II public opinion
offered up victim TO the MOoch OF false honour he was
that victim and unless there change IN public sen
tment, the best blood Of Virginia will continue to flow TO
that IDOL and reek Heaven IA accusation against
community. Let not society," then be guilty of tho inus-
ce OF casting bic memory fot his obedence 10
it, mandate. Let II rather and pour ropentsn
tears the grave Of hun Of the bloody shroudof him
Who in the language Of another possessed genius
talent, snd herotm above courage" But Mr.. Chair
! man, am / mised by hope. IN thinking sec coming
change IN public sentiment dueling, foeshadowed by
the deep and general srow al the tragic death Of gift
ed counynan and by the general sion which has
adopted his orphan children s heirs7 May not the in
'crutable wisdom # Him, who brings good Of evil
up, even from he grave over which mourn a spnt ii
Christian reform, which shil 60 forth drive from our
land the surviving Dabary Of dsrk age that human
sacfhco shall be offered up the altar Of false
honour but both the altar and the God shall SIM forever
/ in the dust q"
lSubsfanee Of the remarks made Jy wALrrs D. Lr.rr.
E'q at the meeting Of tie citizens Of GooehEaad eaii,d
fogsir 70 pas SON, Tss0iut0as IN TetersHes 10 the
death Of John n Piedsdais, Esg and Published by re-
gasSt9 ne meeting.
Mr. Charles Pope having addressed Tho meeting, Mr..
! Leake rose and ObseTved
Il was my desire Mr. Chairman, take no part in the
proceedings Of Tins meeting. To Of the more nme-
diate friends n Mr Peassnts who spoke upon the
SUBJECT and desired thai should parcpae IN tho adoption
Of some expression Of sentiments complimentary Of his
services 10 the Staie apau from party politics % he
native 81 my county, Tie Of that Gooohland had
loved and honOred end who buried beneath her soil
and his restOas and trends here. demonstrated
sgainst the pfoproy Of my doing This emonslraBce
DID not proceed from disposition 10 see nothing vsuablo
snd esumabe IN political adyenaryl But from the feel
that Mr. Peasants he'd been known me- and TO the
ny, almost entirely ~ editor u political paper That
advocated measures 10 which was opposed AS abls
zesou ardent enthusiastic editor o tho eading paper IN
tho South Of the parry TO which he belonged snd, 10 his
case. u is cult separato the from tho politician
AID also from The additional fact thst sny token u respect
psd him this way, might be construed nto censurs
upon The other party whore misfortune be arraysd
sRanst Mr. Peasants that dreadful fearful and disastrous
conflict which the whole community regrets; end
sanction any thirR which will have any tendency 70 pro-
duce result Of this sort Nv name, however hss become
connected with your proceedings and that circumstance
connection with he observations which have fallen from
the gentlemen Who has just taken his make my duty
n give utiefance the sentiments which tho occasion
spires.
As the gentlemen who have organized this meeting
DESTROYS Of having considered Of the people, end
not Of party, Of nothing that done is 20 be
gsrded approval Of Mr. Peasants political course OF
principles. Along with msohiy Of the people Of tins
county, have condemned bis political principles. His
course a. editor hiss received my dsappobson. This
oppOston and this censufe have arisen from the
OF my unbiased Judgment snd the Indulgence Of my
own feelings Of ps'rOtsm. Ills course, doubt die
lated BY HE judgment and his love Of country. Divided
and opposed In senmen struggling eaYnesty, wsrmy End
sos tines angiy, for the advancement of respective
Opinions Who 10 90 nneha'able suppose that With the