Arkansas intelligencer., 1847-07-31
ADDRESS OF THE HON. GEO. W. PASCHiL,
Delivered to the Crawford County Volunteers, on
a .E the 29h inst. .aF-

the 29M fnst. 90
Fellow. CITIZENS ~ u
1t is mistake, but too common with US all. 10
suppose that one, whose professional life often de-
mands of him public defamation, IS always pre-
pared for speech, no matter upon what sub
ject. This may probably be true with some, who
are by nature gifted with fervid eloquence, and
whose minds are richly stored with varied learn.
ing; but even TO these sons of genius, there are
certain occasions, when their rich treasures of
erudition are absolutely burdensome. and their!
deep pa,hos actually a mockery to the strong
feelings of their own n bosoms. If the most accom-.
pshed orators are subject to these embarrass
ments, am sure that one laying no claim 10 e.
oquence, and little gifted in fuency. may de-
mand much indulgence on an occasion, such as
the present.
have been selected by your committee to ton-
der the welcome of the citizens of this county,
to that noble and patriotic band. THE VAN
buren, AVENGERS" who, one year ago, went
forth from among you, to the land where our
country was waging fierce and sanguinary war.
Honored as | feel by the proud distinction thus
conferred. yet freely own myself unequal to the
task. There are occasions, when silence is the
deepest and most expressive eloquence. Who
would undertake to portray, in words, the grief
of that mother who finds her first born torn from
her embraces by the unrelenting mouster, Death?
Who could make us feel the chains and suffering
tho mental anguish-ihe maddened and bro.
ken spirit of the lnquisiIion's captive! Who
tell the phrenzIed JeaIousy-"the damned minutes
counted Ger, OF HIM who doats, yet doubts, sus.
poets yet strongly lowest" Who would wish to
witness. much less to speak of the meeting of
that fond husband and wife, or of those anxious
lovers, who have been sepa arated by years of time
and oceans Of distance? But Of all the passions
which agItate the human bosom, there is none to
describe which language is so much at fault, as
in the attempted expression of really heartfelt
welcome.
The son who has been absent for years-tossed
perhaps by tempestuous ocean, OF wrecked by
more IemPesIouS worid-sutltring some of the ca
lamitles of real life, whether immured in dun
geon, or. like the Prodigal Son, eating the bitter
fruits OF toly-rePentanI at last, W hen driven by
necessity, returns to the home of induIgent pa
rents, who have long mourned him rs lone who
is not he passes the play ground of boyhood--.
he treads the floor Of the old mansion where first
he had smiled in infnncy, heard the name of
father, and IIsped the sacred name of mother
his appearance, so unexpected, breaks upon that
aged sire and mother, Ike spirit frHm the skies
In the arms of those who gave hun being, now
trembling upon the verge Of the grave, we may
behold hlml But poor indeed would be the Ian
guage OF eloquence which should undertake 10
portray that meeting.
As 1t is with parent and child so is i, often in
the other sacred relations of life. There are
scenes. sometimes Of Joy, sometimes of woe. from
which none of us would lift the veil. There are
tears she'd for which the truly sympathetic hear:
can only exclaim, in the simple, but truly elo.
quenI language OF the Irish giri-"When SEQ a |
child weep, my heart weeps also" These fire. |
siue PICTURES OF Joy are seen only IN their highest
coIors, when contrasted with The ear,.break k inp
exhibitions of grief.
Some case Of woe, so touching in its nature.
either in the circumstances of the bereavement, /
or the desoIatIon produced by the unexpected shaft
which has pierced the cenlre Of fond anG de.
pendent circle, or the still greater calamity of the
downfall Of loved member of some honorable .
family, is at once SO touching and crwhelming
that tho most sympathetic friend can only shed
the silent tear. aud, with The Stiffness of the .
spirits tread, turn away and leave the mourners
alone.
And as in the joyous or henrtrending scenes
of the family circle, so It is sometimes in a whole
community: Silence Is true eIoquence. remem-
Der no incident 50 touching as the annuncia,ion .
of President Harrison's death. in the city of Phil.
ade pha, on the memorable 4th of April, 1871 /
Thousands had collected about the Post Offcs. /
with eagerness TO learn if a calamity. hitherto
unknown in the history OF Amerca--a demise in
N"o oiiiNC " SAiei hdSlslTute-Was IKE v 10 Oc-
cur. lhe flying engine propelled the cars, cloth. .
ed in the draPery of mourning. over the iron
road, with lightning speed! -
The President is no more'' was proclaimed |
10 the as,onished multitude. The busy throng-I
the thousands usually so eager fos the daily |
news--iurn silently away; no one attempting 10
console his neighbour. Silence was true olo-
quence.
My task to-day, is, in the name of those, feeling
most of the better emotions incident 10 our nature,
10 welcome you, Gallant Volunteers. to homes,
where your absence has produced u loneliness
felt; where your presence will shed a cheerful
ness moro joyous than language can express
In the name of the aged Putrarchs. with whom
the light begins to be darkened. and the kee pers
OF the house to trembe, and the strong men TO
bow themselves, and the grinders 10 be few; and ,
with whom the silver cord is nearly loosened,
and the pitcher broken at the fountain and the |
wheel at the cistern. bid YOU welcome. In the
name OF that fatfer-hmselfi in the strength and .
fulness of manhood-who proudly gave up the
hrst buildings of his hopes; and, looking TO the |
iulure destiny OF that son, has eagerly sought |
each published paragraph and returning letter, to
learn the part which he bore in the din and strur.
gle OF battle, bid you welcome. In the names |
of those mothers, who shed the tears, which only
mothers can weep. when you departed and who !
n n N hFtanr