The Arkansas banner., 1848-05-23

Fequsnily required ts taysse, as Ais circuit. ths whole country which naw forms the State of Ark. ansas, and portions of that included in Missouri. Even for oHo who participated ia them 1t would ts dmcuh so depict the scenss incident to profession. al life, In times and Rudsr circumstances when the law was administered almost without bOoks--the courts oitsn held in the open arths leaih.en thong serving the place of prison walls, and the ready ri
 ae that of the jaiier's key. Then the land had no roads-the streams no bridgss-the country, for many miles between certain points of settlement, was unmarked by human habitations ThrOagh all this, tho course of the ysung lawyer was os.
 ward and uPward-undismayed. unchecked by dif-
 hcuifles, which seemed indeed but to excite to st
 greater activity the strong energies of his nature
 Storing his mind from books whenever the means
 were within his reach. he was ever improving hls
 powers hy those exercises among men, and ia the
 practical affairs of life, which qualify the man of
 onsiness to be useful 10 hs fellows. while giving
 due attention to bis own interests. But it Is not
 necessary that should follow up in detail the steps
 of him would represent. It is of results, and not
 the particular means of their accomplishment, I
 have to speak. And if the results attained by my
 deceased colleague may Do the measure of his
 worth, then, in the success of his exeItions, he
 has established . reputation for wisdom and sagseity which might satisfy the ambition of any man. Devoting himself assiduously te the business of his profession he suffered not the con- tagious example of political aspiring to lure him from the high and holy purpose of making provis- ion for the wants and comforts of the interesting family he was gathering around him. Unti the frosts of more than fifty winters had bleached his locks, find him in the walks of private life, with unaagging industry and unabating vigor raising upon the foundations he had already laid the super structure of affluence for his children He was a. length successful; and as if PrOvidence-eyer pro- pious to those who are laborousin useful pursuits had been watching bis career, SO soon as he had completed the provision for his own household. a station of high public trust-the station he hed in this chamber-was presented to his acceptance.- Although he had long enjoyed high character for ability, and ever felt deep interest in the public welfare, it was not until the month of April, ls44. that he entered actively into the political movements of the country. At that time. a warm party con test was commencing, and his talents were called into the service upon the democratic electoral tick ct of Arkansas. We'll and nobly aid he justify the confidence and fulfil the expectations which had induced his selection. With an activity rarely
 witnessed in one of his years, he uaversed the whole State, through the heats and rains of sum- mer with zeal and power he advocated the prin- cples, and urged upon the people the measures of k:s political faith; and while all confessed his de- iiv Ia4ir in he ka those who most suffered from the blows he dealt so fast and forcbly, the last to be offended at the manner of their infiction. He accomplished one achievement in that canvass, which stands unpar- aleied apprehsnd, in the annals of political con- troveuy. He actually converted from the s.error of his ways" one of the electors on the opposing party tieket-eaused him to withdraw from the con- tsstand enjoyed the satisfaction cf knowing that, in the autumn election, he voted for the democrat ic electors. From this, some idea may be formed of the character of his services. Er pede Heriem. In the month of August of that year, the estinabe Fulton died. Almost all eyes were at once turned to tho accomplished elector as his successor. So, when the General Assembly of the State convened in November, the popular expectation was realized and Coi. ASHLEY was elected to a seat in this body to hli the unexpred term, without any regular op- position, and by an almost unanimous vote In ls46 he was reelected to the same high station for six years from the 4th day of last March. From these demonstrations. an estimate may be formed of the place he occupied in the hearts of his people-of the standing he had at home-in the Territory of which he had been among the earliest pioneers-ia the State he had helped to found, and with whose growth he had grown, and with whose strength he had strengthened. Of his standing and his reputa- ton here, an not competent to speak from per- sonal observation. To those whom address, he was better known. But if may jadge from the distinguished position you assigned him, even as member, in the business of this body it is cer tain that he fully sustained the reputation for ability with which he came here. And from those indi- cations which never deceive, for they are of the heart, 90 abundanty furnished by the anxious throng of his brother Senators about his death bed by the quivering lips and fearful eyes of hosts of friends-by the touching soiemnity of this cham ber-I gather testimonials to his hearts goodness; laares for the crown of his private worth, of far more real value than those which may be commau- ded by the brightest corrus9stions of mere intellect --fas more enduring than "the bubble reputation snatehed from the eanDon's mouth.
 nto be great. man must perform with ability hia public trusts 90. to be good, he must sustain wor,hily his private relations. In my opinion, no man can be wholly unhappy who is surrounded with an amiable family; nor can he be otherwise than good. if he devote himself with fidelity to the happiness or that family. I am aware, sir, that am approaching sacred subjeet-6tter for discus- sion In narrower and less public walls than these. But merely alluded to it in illustration of the finest feature in the human eharacter-I mean do- nestle afectioa-a feature strikingly predominant in the otherwise strongly -marked character of my deceased colleague. Many who now hear me have noticed and admired. as all must respect, this en- aeariag characteristic. IL distinguished him at home. wherever hs was known. But If he loved his family, he was loved by them In return. If his -f Sk. .l,