Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-08-21


to-day publish below short sketch of his life writ
ten by gentleman of his own county. He died,
it will be perceived, amid the congratulations Of
his friends on his recent reelection. the result
was known to him, crowned with laurels won in
long and faithful pubic life -
Died, at his residence in Bladen county, on the
llth August, 1916, RoBEnr MELv1z, ESQ.,, SEN
ator elect to the next Legislature, from the coan
ties of Bladen, Columbus and Brunswick, m the
54th year of his age.
Whilst his political friends were interchanging
congratulations on the triumphant success Of their
candidate, the fiat had gone FORTH which has mum.
bered him with the dead, the scenes of this world
were then fast receding from bis view, and ere he
had received intelligence of the renewed and in.
creased confidence reposed in him by his fellow
citizens, his immortal spirit as Is hoped and lie.
Iieved had winged its fight to mansions in the skies
Another striking commentary on the emptiness of
earthly honors, and the vanity Of human wishes {!
The deceased was attacked with excruciating
pains in Elizabethtown, on the Sd day of August
where and when he had attended, as Chairman Of
the County Court-a situation which he had long
held, with credit to himself and benefit to the pub
lie. The attack was the effect Of severe cold
caused, no doubt, by exposure in canvassing the
district. Bleeding became necessary, and in con-
sequence of the violent fever which followed, 9th.
er remedies were resorted to, which left him much
enfeebied and debilitated but without any unfavo-
rable symptoms, until his removal to his own
house, on Friday, the day after the election. From
that time, the disease became more aggravated,
and notwithstanding all the skill and exertions of
his attending physician, he sunk under its VIC.
lence and expired on the ninth day after the COM
mencement Of the attack.
In whatever light the character of the deceased
is viewed, he is entitled 20 the highest esteem aud
respect. Selfmade, without advantages of early
education, or any adventurous aids, at very ear
y period of life, solely by the proprety Of his con-
duct, his native good sense and energy of charac-
ter, he had taken position alongside of the most
prominent and influential men of his county. As
we'll as recollected, he was first chosen to the
but few intermissions, has continued to represent
the county ever SINCE in one or the other branch
es of the Legslatufe-in the Senate for several
years before, and with the exception Of one ses-
sion, ever since the adoption of the amended Con-
sitution. AS evidence of the estimation in which
his representative services were held by his con-
stituents, the nalorities by which he has been e.
lected have gradually increased, until it may be
said, with truth, that opposition to him had be.
come useless and unavaiing. Attached to the
Democratic party, there was in him " no change
or shadow of turning" Believing that the cardi-
nal principles of his party were also the great
sentative principles of the Constitution, he never
for moment faltered in his erdeavors to advance
and sustain them 1t was this 6rmncss and con-
sistency that secured for him, as it should have
done. the entire confidence of his political friends
His earthly struggles being over, and his politica
warfare ended it is believed that his opponents
some of whom were in the habit of speaking dis
paragingIy of his qualifications, will now be dis
posed to do justice to the purity of his motives
and the honesty of his intentions, at least. Much
more could be said in commentator of the publ,
character of tho deceased of his eritorious servi
ces as Magistrate. and presiding officer of tn,
Court and in the performance of various o:he
public duties, assigned to him by his feow.citi
zens, but our limits will not permit. Suffice it t.
say, that in addition to his claims as public char
acter he was exemplary in all his private relations
= That he was a dutifui son, an affectionate hus
band and father--the profound grief and sorrow
of his venerable father-the wife of his bosom an.
ten children, and the sympathy and regret of al
entire community, will testify. But above all, h,
was Christian, having been sincere, pious an,
consistent member of the Baptist Church for tn
last Is years. This was the browning glory o
+ his life. Having entire confidence and faith il
the merits of crucifcd Redeemer, it was this tina
carried him triumphantIy Through the vale,
and shadow of death" that enabled him joyful,
TO exclaim to his weeping relatives and friends, a
e he was about 10 be launched into eternity, an
reconced to death, am willing to die, am 20
ing to Heaven, and want you all to meet m
i there" At this the sceptic may smile, and tn
j.. infdel may sheer, but to the Christian and tn
friends of the deceased it will be a source of swee
consolation to reflect that, whatsoever conforms +
the doctrines, and practices the precepts OF Hir
f that spake as never man spake, is preparing fo
himself "a habitation built without hands, eterns
in the Heavens" and if he perseveres, will ever
d tually receive the joyful invitation, " Welcom
: thou good and faithful servant. unto the joys
= thy Lord, prepared for thee from the foundation
IS the world"
Navigation of the Columbia.
A few days previous to the adjournment
Congress, debate sprung up in the Senat