The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-03-05


with pistol in each hand, both Of these gentleneu
called loudly upon him to stop, they having deter.
mined to take upon themselves the responsibility Of
suesting the combat. Mr.. Peasants, unfortunately
fors paused only for AN instant, and shaking hi,
head in dissent, advanced TO the attack.
This distressing event has produced the most in
tense excitement in Richmond. The funeral is thus
described by the " Richmond Enquirer" and the
Richmond Timesr'
| ', From the Richmond Enquirer OF Monday
| "We have transferred 10 our columns from the
city papers notices of the late fatal catastrophe,
which resulted in the death Of Mr. John Il. Plea
SAINTS, and which has cast deep gloom over this
community. There are few, probably, who dePlore
this sad event more sincerely and deeply than he
who writes these lines Would TO God that it could
have been ordered Otherwise.
| 1--WE feel that this is not tho time nor tho occa-
sion for us TO go into any particulars IN regard 10
this most unhappy occurrence. We arc restrained
by considerations which will al once suggest them
selves to every liberal mind and feeling heart.
I'VE deem 1t proper, however, to say, that our
relative and junior partner "a not al present in Viz
ginia What course he may ultimately pursue we
do not certainly know but of this we feel perfectly
assured, that whatever he may have felt himself
forced to do in relation 10 this unfortunate event. he
will return, al proper time, To meet that nyestga-
ton which the laws of the land require"
"FUNERAL OF Ma. PLEAsAsrs.-The funeral
OF Mr.. Peasants took place yesterday from the
Second Presbyterian church. Before IL O'Clock,
the hour appointed for the commencement Of
the services, the church was filed. The dis
course upoa tho occasion was from the Rev. Mr..
s.iss, and va, pp1aes5ed by prayer from the asy
Mr. seier, and followed by prayer from The Rev.
Mr.. Magoon. Mr.. Sules's discourse was from the
text Thou shalt love thy neighbor as myself It
was rePlete with charity and we'll adapted to the
occasion. He awaited himself Of the opportunity to
neuce the asPerity OF party politics, and with the
true spirit Of Chrstianty mculcated the necessity
81 greater consideration and forbearanee from per-
sons on each side for those on the other. Tongues
and pens, he thought should be kept under more
restraint, and greater degree Of moderation evinced
both in words and He delivered himself in a
forcbe manner, well calculated to affect persons Of
either party, whe have at any time suffered them
selves to be betrayed into intemperance either of
language or Of conduct. strong impression was
evidently made upon the numerous and attentive
audiences and none will rejoice more than ourselves
IT. through the fundamentally Of the minister Of God
this sad calamity shall be the means Of working
the good which he 80 piously endeavored to pro.
duce."
From the Richmond Times Of Monday
FUNERAL OF Ma. PLEAsASrs.-Notwithstan
the extreme inclemency Of the weather, the Second
Presbyterian Church was crowded on Sunday with
tend the obsequies Of the late John Hampden Pleas
ants. The sermon was preached by the Rev DR..
Stiles, from the text, Thou shalt iope Thy neighbor
as hySsU' We trust that the lessons he taught as
TO the dreadful private and public consequences of
dsregarding this great commandment may be pro-
ductiye OF lasting good in this community.
"ln the conclusion Of his discourse, when the min
lister came TO speak particularly of the melan-
| choly occasion which had drawn together the nu-
merous assembly he was addressing, he spoke, in
brief but eloquent language oil the eventful and in
fuentIal career Of the deceased assigning 10 him
genius above talent and herosm above courage
He foreibly impressed upon his hearers the solem-
nifty OF the spectacle before them-of such a man
being thus suddenly cut of in the vigor Of his years
and his Intellect. In proof Of the noble emotions
which moved Mr.. Peasants in the last moments Of
his life, DR.. Stiles related two most touching Incl
dents, which, for the qualification of the distant
| friends OF the deceased who may read this notice,
we take the liberty Of repeating.
"But short time before his death, Mr.. Peasants
called to his bedside his only ssn-a manly and in
genuous boy-that he might give him a fathers
parting counsel. After directing his son to kiss
him, he said to him. MY son, be erer honest and
true
"Stl later, when his aged mother came near him,
and asked him, doubling whether he still retained
his reason, if be knew her, he answered. MY moth
az, ,chom here aitoays respected md l0csd~ -
CDR Stiles's discourse preceded and followed
by prayer from the Rev. Mr. Jeter and the Rev.
Mr.. Magoon.
"At the end Of the services very large concourse
Of citizens proceeded from the church, in gloomy
procession to the city burial ground where the re-
mains OF John Hampden Peasants were committed
TO the silent grave"
Speaking of the pathetic and eloquent discourse
of the Rev. Mr.. Stiles, the Richmond Wing of Tues.
day says:
"The speaker next commented upon the anti
,hriQt snrtt in xarhl
generally conducted, as well by the press by pub
lie speakers from the rostrum, and in the halls OF
legislation. lie deprecated in strong terms the evil
consequences OF that want Of forLearance and char
ity which allows no merit in political opponent.
upon the code Of honor, 80 called, the reverend
gentleman commented with much severity. The
melancholy scene before him, enforced his censure
| lie declared the community in which we live
pariieeps erimins In the late tragcal occurrence. He
remarked that it was not his duty to aude to the
particulars OF that mournful transaction, but there
were mitigating circumstances for the parties con-
| cerned, of which he might make mention. They
were born and reared, he said, in community
which tolerated, if it did not encourage resort to
arms, and all the members of that community
were, consequently, more or less to blame.
"When the speaker came TO the special applica-
ton of his remarks, the fountains of all hearts
seemed opened. He observed that it not
his business to discant upon the personal quail
tiles and character Of the deceased. These were
| known at home, and throughout Virginia, and the
nation. But it had been the speakers privilege
to be with him in his last moments and he was
able to say that he died in full belief Of the truth
Of the Christian religion Atthis period of the dis
course, the speaker depicted, in the most touching
terms, the final interview between the venerable
mother and the dying son, As she approached his
bed side, his head being turned the other way, she
asked if he knew herr Fixing his eyes upon her,
beaming with affection, he exclaimed, with great
emotion, 'Oh, yes! the dear mother ,ohom hare al
,oays respected and loved The speaker adverted to
the relief afforded by this dcclarat on, which the
mother received as precious legacy of flia affec-
ton and devotedness. He next spoke of the direc-
ton given by the deceased to his sister, to take a
Testament from his trunk and place it under his
head in his coffin. He described his afTectonate
farewell TO his manly little son, who had been watch
ing by his side, and whom he enjoned with his
dying breath to be throughout life, 'virtuous, hon
est and true
"Never have we witnessed a more general out
break Of deep feeling, and never there sub
jeot better suited to awaken the keenest sensbili-
ties of the heart, and arouse the most serious and
salutary reflections Of the mind.
L IL. Ill.,