American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-10-13

ing over our land this hour we were called
upon to mourn the death of 4 fellow citizen,
member of this bar lie had left us with high
hopes and aspirations of the future, and had
yielded up his life for his country's honor We
who once knew him here, shall know him no
more on earth. Death generally comes to US
in a different manner, with weeping irlends a.
round but death had come to him IN the hour
OF victory. In looking around among those
who were on that battle field, we recognized
the names Of many members OF the bar in sister
States, who had volunteered their services to
uphold their Country's honor, 1t was not TO
be expected that when blows were to be found
in the battle field, the lawyer would be out OF
the way but would be found in their country's
ranks. They are found soalways, and always so
may they be found With feelings of mingled
sorrow and exultaton now move, said Mr..
Mem. the adoption of these resolutions:
Resolved That while we participate in the
Joy that gladdens every heart, at the brilliant
and triumphant successes of our country's sol
diers, in the desperate battles which won the
surrender of Monterey, to their courage and
gallantry, we have heard with deep, unaffected
sorrow that Baltimore has again to mourn an
other gallant son, in the death of Col. VIM. II.
Watson, who with his brave companions in
arms, volunteered at the first call of his coun-
try, and noby fell while leading his battalion
TO victory.
Resolved, That while we deplore the loss of
youthful warrior, whose patriotism, cour-
age, and untiring energy, gave the bright
est promise TO his county, we most deeply
mourn the death Of one, who, as member of
this bar, was respected by all for his profession
al bearing, and loved by those who best knew
him, for the warmth and steadiastness Of his
friendships.
Resolved, That we sympathise with his af-
ficted family, in the sorrow of their bereave-
ment, and request the chairman ofthis meeting
to offer them our sincerest coincidence.
Resolved, That as tribute to the memory
of our departed brother and friend, we will
wear suitable badges of mourning, for the re-
mander of the present term.
Resolved, That the proceedings ofthis meet
ing be entered upon the minutes of Baltimore
County Court, with the assent of the Judges,
and be published in tho several newspapers Of
the city.
The resolutions were read and the Hon. Re-
verdy Johnson, arose and seconded the motion
TO adopt them, preiacing his second with the
following remarks;
! have, Mr.. Chairman, but melancholy
pleasure in the privilege afforded me, of Sc
conding the resolutions Of your committee:
With our deceased BROTHER my relations
were most intimate. They have long since
ceased TO be merely professional, if indeed thoy
were ever merely so. They soon ripened into
the closer and dearer ties Of private friendship,
and from first to last, were not only unbroken,
but strengthened. To me, therefore, his death
has been a blow, as heavy as has been felt out
of his own household. But am not without
consolaton-they too, when they come to re-
cover from the agony of the first shock, will not
be without consolation. He has met death when
CALAMITY maintaining his country's honor No
man need covet greater glory No man, if he
does covet it, can earn greater glory.
A citizen soldier volunteering at the very
first tidings Of war, his services to his govern
ment-leaving wife and children in the dis
charge Of that Ell arged duty which embraces
all others-duty to country-With daring intIe-
pidty rushing into the first struggle of arms,
but under the restraint of disciplined SKILL and
dying almost in the hour of victory at the head
of the brave men under his command, can ne
yer 90 unwept or unhonored
Such a death carries with it its own reward
such death creates an inheritance of which
friends and family may well be proud. The
blood of the father so shed saves, if there be
nothing else to save, the widow and orphan
from distress This is our and their pride
this, our and their consolation.
He has, to be sure, gone from us in the very
prime of manhood and usefulness, but yet he
has not gone prematurely. "The last end that
can happen to any man never comes too soon,
if be falls in support of the laws and liberty of
his country
There are other considerations too, not to be
forgotten, in this, our moment of grief The
example Watson and ofthe gallant citizen SOL
diers in the battles of Monterey: their prompt
response to their country's call: their noble dar-
ing: their lnatchless courage: their strict dsc-
pine, gives the world assurance, that as we are
the happiest, and happest, because the freest
people on EARTH 50 are we when our country
needs our vaor, amongst the bravest and best
soldiers who ever trod the battle field.
As long as these are the fruits of our free
dom we need never fear that it will fail us
We need never apprehend danger from any
foreign foe. 1t is know in general idle to look
far into futurity and speculate upon the fate of
nations, but if the generations which are to fol-
low us, are as true to freedom and our institu-
tons as the citizens of the Union now are,
they are destined to increase in power, and to
diffuse social and political happiness till time
shall be no more.
Ofthe many claims upon our personal regard
and friendship which our gallant brother had,
what shall what need | say. Without the
benefit of much education-wlthout the asss-
lance Of any patronage, or any extrane-
Gus help, he yet, by much strength of intel
lect and unsurpassed energy, established for
himself, young as he comparatively was,
most respectable standing at our bar.
In the councils of the State, where he was
several times called to represent this city, no
man could have been more faithful or diligent:
and such was the estimation of his talents and
standing by his associates, that he was soon Sc
lected to preside as Speaker over the delibera-
tons Of our House of Delegates, and by COM
mon consent, as | had every opportunity of