Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-03-12
FROM THE RICHMOND WHO. MARCH ).
TO THE WINGS OFF VIRGINIA.


numbered among the deadi You have heard
the sudden an appalling character OF his death.
You have ieitin his loss a feeling akin to that
which would rcnd your heart, were death 10
invade with his iron hand your own domestic
ciYcle. You mourn with Us over his grave
Together we viii watch over his memory, and
keep his laurels green and fragrant with our
tears.
How often have YOU, how often havewe all,
seated IN our quiet homes. enioyed rich intel
lectual banquet in the brilliant illusions Of his
gifted mind. We have hailed the coming of
the journal which he SO long conducted, as we
would anticipate the visit of an old and cher
lshed friend. We have derived an elevated
and refined pleasure from the labors of his elias
sic pen. AT one moment we have wondered
al the extent Of his historical research. and adj
mired The facility and appropriateness with
which il wasapplied in illustration ofhis theme.
Again, the keen thrust Of sarcasm. or the spor-
i've playiulness Of wit and humor. drove tho
darkness from even the duh eve OF care. and
lighted up lis sad face with pleasant smiles---
Now he would treat a great national question
with the ability OF statesman. and again. some
ordinary topic. utterly devoid ofintrinsic inter-
est, he wouldn't front the dustwhere il had been
trampied BY the feet Of the undiscerning mul-
titude, and transform il, by the magc power
Of genius, into a golden thread ofihought. sus-
pending from il thousand shining gems Of
fancy and Of eloquence. There was about the
writer, as about the man an originality of con-
eeption, freshness OF feeling and expression,
winch at once enchanted all hearts, and gave
the Journal which he conducted the attractive
influence Of fountain in the desert, inviting
the traveller to repose upon its verdant banks.
and sending forth sdeep,pure, sparkling waters
to refresh and charm his thirsty lip.
Bat II is not alone, rs one who has minis
tered to their pleasures ofmind, that the Wings
Of Virginia ere indebted to John II pleasants.
He has been our amor bearer in many long
and angry contest For twenty-five Years he
has been the gallant and uuialterng champion
OF our political principles. Standing in tho
forefront Of the battle, his cleaning sword has
ever indicated the point where the fight wax
ed hottest, and, when our ranks Were driven
back, his cheering cry. falling like trumpet
call upon the despondng heart, has raj
lied us once more TO the '.deadly breach, - and
reused determination to pluck, from the very
jaws OF defeat, the crown of victory In ali
this, andwe tearlessly call upon political friends
and foes alike 10 sustain the assertion, he was
aciuated by no thought Of self disbursements
( lie never dreamed Of spoils, The honors and
ernoluments Of Office exerted no influence up
on his mind. The prosperity and honor his
country excluded from his thoughts and ptr-
poses al considerations self But. even had
he rolled in wealth, his generous nature would
have impoverished princely purse A poor
man never askedhis aid IN vain Ifany other
quality disputed the empire of his heart with
courage aud fidelity, il was the humanity
which soiened the more masculine points Of
his character, and made the brave, strong man.
"a gentle child, eager 70 give up all he had, If
he could wipe away the tear from sorrows
eye, or pluck one thorn from the path Of SUI.
ierag poverty.
WilIthe people ofyirginia hesitate forasingls
moment to make some suitable expression to
the family ofsuch man. of their deep deyo-
ton and enduring gratitude? Shall not his
own good deeds come back in blessings upon
those who Were dearest to bis hearth Shall
not the stream ofhis beneyolenee, poured forth
IN such generous tide, return once more, in
''gende-dews" ofgratitude and mercy, to rnois.
zen and refresh the withered flowers which are
dropping over his grave2 Can you forget his
past services, or the rare disinterestedness Of
his nature When soldier falls, his country
receives his children 10 her arms. She claims
them as her own. The Republic becomes
their mother. Shall we be less mindful of our
Obligations to the noble champion Of republican
principles, who devoted the bloom ofhis youth.
the vgor Of his manhood, the whole energy Of
his soul, in defending the citadel Of constitutions
al liberty
/ People Of the country, the citizens Of Rich
mond are with eagerness maniiesting theirdeep
sense Of gratitude and sorrow. NoblY viii
/ you rival their example. We anticipate with
confidence from the jewellers Of the Last and
{ the West, from the mountains and the plains,
one warm and universal response, rising from
every heart. burning upon every lip, worthy
OF the occasion, worthy Of VTginans, worthy
Of men.
Since the foregoing was in type, the follow
ing appeals have been handed in, showing the
active sympathy which prevails.
II may be well TO state that citizens who
have not been applied TO, but who are dispos-
cd 10 contribute TO the fund now being raised
for the relief Of the venerable mother. aud the
maintenance and education Of the orphan
children ofthe late JoHS HAMPDEN PLRAsANrs.
viii find lists OF subscription at both the Read,
ing Rooms OF the City, and at the Offices Of
the Wing and Star,
No case can well be imagined appealing
more strongly TO this whole community. 4
icllow-citlzen Of the most generous nature.
whose exeTuons were the stay and support OF
his family has been cut or in the yiaor Of
manhood, from false state ofpublic sentiment
in the society Of which he was a member. and
an apathy on the part Of the public in preyen-
ting results which every one should have an
pretended No more proper atonement. Il
seems 70 US, can be made, than for The com.
munity to adopt as its children those who have
been made Orphans through its omissions;
and m this deed Of aionement, so far as atone
ment can be made, il is believed that every
member Of the community viii be DESTROYS Of
uniting, IN proportion to his means.
Extensively admired and beloved as Mr..
Peasants was, it has been suggested thatthere
are probably many persons al distance, both
within and out of the Commonwealth, who
win be happy 10 unite with the People orr
mond in their tribute Of affection such are
advised that any sum which they may be dis.
posed to remit, If enclosed either 10 MI. III. w
Moncure, Henry Ludlam, or Joshua J. Fy.
ofthis city, viii be faithfully and iudiciouslv
applied to its object
There is norancor, no revenge, noselfshness
even, IN the noble spirit which has ceased 10
Breathe; lie fella victim 10 the false sentiment
of honor. and sought his adversary with no