The Port Gibson herald, and correspondent., 1850-09-20
From ths ,Spirft of The Times.

TER;
The death of SargeantS. Prentiss has called
forth universal feeling of sorrow; the con.
seriousness that "a great man has fallen" is
depicted upon the faces ofthe multitude
The eloquent offerings td his virtues and TO
his genius, that every where blow the news Of
his demise, are but slight tokens Of sorrow that
fills the heart of all who knew the gifted Prem
tiss. Having known him long and having had
frequent occasions TO witness exhibitions of his
great mental powers, cannot efrain from pay
ing an imperfect tribute to hismemory.
first met MIR. Prentiss WIN he was in the
full maturity of his power, bull have the pleas
ure OF knowing hundreds wb were well ac-
quainted with his early histoy, and early tri.
nmphs. Volumes of interest hight be written
upon the life of Mr.. Prentiss, ad then his high
sense Of honor, his brave spiri1 bis nobeness
OF soul, bis intense but comme1dable pride. his
classical a:tainments, and his deep knowledge
OF the law, can scarcely be illustrated so univer-
sal and superior were bis accomplishments and
requirements.
In his early career, consiler Mr.. Prentiss
both fortunate and unfortunate, Ihaye often i'm
aglned the shrinking but proud boy, living unno
tlced and unknown among the wealthiest cti-
zens of the South. Buried IN lie obscurty Of
his humble school, he looked out UPON the busy
world, and measured the mighty capacities Of
his soul with those whom societ, had placed
above him. ! think see him broolino over his
position, and longing to be free, asthe suffocat-
ing man longs for the boundless ar Of heaven.
His hour Of triumph came, and surpassed, per-
haps, his own aspira ions. From theschool-room
he entered that of the court: charce offered:
position gained-the law his theme he at once
not only equaed, but scared even ,eyond the
aim of the most favored OF his cmpeers.
The era was one of extravaganza, the virgin
soil OF Mississippi was pouring fto the laps Of
her generous sons untold abundance, there were
thousands Of her citizens, full Of inalth and ta-
lent who adorned excesses Of living BY the taste
ful procurements Of wealth, and tie highest ac-
complishments Of mind. Into til. world Prem
tiss entered, heraded by naught ave his own
genius. The heirs of prinrely fortunes, the de-
scendants OF heroes, men of power and place, of
family pride, Of national associations, were not
more proud, more gallant, than asPrentiss, for
he was reckoned among the mobiles Romans Of
them all''
Each step in his new fortune seemed only TO
elicit new qualities for admiraton-at the forum
hedazzled-the jury and the Judge were confoun-
ded-the crowd carried him to the stump, and
the multitude listened as to one inspired: fair
ladies Wed with each other in waving tiny hands
in token of admiraton-the stoiid Judges of the
Supreme Court, wondered at the mind of the ap>
parent bos-even the walls Of Congress echoed
forth paans to his praise. His course was as
rapid and brilliant as that of themeteor that sud-
denly springs athwart the heatens but he was
human, and accomplished his ask, herculean as
it was, at the price Of an inlur,d constitution.
Prentiss had originally constitution Of iron:
his fame was so perfect in its organization, that,
in spite Of the most extraordinary negligence of
health, his muscles had all the ornpactness CLOS
siness, and distictiyeness of ore who had been
specially trained by diet and exercise. 1t was
this constitution that enabled lin 70 accomplish
so much in so short time. He could almost
wholly discard sleep for weeks, with apparent
impunty; he cond eat or shrve; do any thing
that would kill ordinary mel, yet never feel a
twing of pain. saw him one amidst :remen-
dous political excitement; he had been talking,
arguing, dining, visiting, ant travelling, without
rest, for three whole days, His companions
would steal away at times foIsieep, but Prentiss
was like an ever.busy spiri. here, and there,
ard every where. The moning Of the fourth
day came, and he was to appar before an audi
ance familiar with his fam, but one that had
never heard him speak; an ludiance critical in
the last degree He desifd to succetd d, for
more was depending than hehad ever before had
cause to stake upon such occasion. Many
felt a fear that he would be mprepared. min
ged in the expecting crow: saw ladies who
had never honored the stumIwiththeir presence
| struggling for seats, councillors, statesmen, and
professional men, the elite q great city, gath
cred together An hour before | had seer
Prentiss, still apparently igDrant OF bis engage
ment.
The time of trial came, and the remarkable
man presented himself, the cry picture OF bouy'
ant health. of unbroken rest All this had beer
done By the itnyieldi1g reS2re Of his acnt-hi:
triumph was complete; hish-wrought expecta'
tons were more than realized, prejudice was de
molished, professional Jealousy sllenced. and h'
/ descended from the rostrun, freely accorded his
proper place among the ortors and statesmen o
the 'Southern Metropolis.
But the most extraordinary exhibition OF Prem
tiss' powers of mind anl endurance OF body
was shown while he was mining for Congress
He had the whole. state to anVass, and the mag
nitude was what he desired From what havt
heard OF anecdotes, that canvass must have pre-
sented some scenes combining the hlghes
mental and physical exertipn hat was ever wit
messed in the world. Pnntss was in perec
health and in the first blusho success, and
| cannot be doubted that hsbest efforts OF orator.
were then made, and now live recorded only i
the fading memories Of his hearers. An Incl
dental illustrative of the time is remembered, tha
may bear repeating.
The whole state of Mississippi was alive wit
excitement: for the moment, she !elt her sovei
eign dignity had been trifei with, and that he
reputation demanded the return OF Prenlss
Congress. Crowds followed him from place, t
place; making a gala tine of weeks together
Among the shrewd worldlngs who take adVal
tsge of such times ''to coin money" was the pre-
prietor Of travelling mepagerie, and ne 500
found that the multitude followed Prentss. Ge
ting the list of that remarkable mans 'appon
meuts,' he filed up his own; and it was 500
noticed as remarkable ctincidence, that tn
orator always ''arrived alonE with the other i
ons," The reason of thismeetlng was dlsco'
cred, and the 'boys," decidtd that Prentiss ''neA
time" should speak from the top of the lion
cage Never was the uenagerie more crowdet
At the proper time, thl candidate gratited HI
constituents, and mouned his singular rostrum
!, / was told by persorwho protested to be
eyewitness, that the Shole afFnir presented
mixture of the terrible and comical Prentis
was as usual, eloquentand, as ifignorant OF th
novel circumstances with which he was surrour
dad wont dennlv infofhe matter in hand hi