Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1850-06-07
From Tie Charleston Mercary.
DEATH OF HON. Il. III. ELMoRE.

ming chat Hor.F III. Elmore expired athis
lodgings in Washington on "Wednesday
evening. We believe his death was
caused by that sudden and violent return
of that anguish of the brain, which, with
different degrees of intensity, has been
the most wasting element of his long de-
cline. This news has caused most
painful shock TO the whole community,
and will be deeply felt Throughout the
State. The circumstances are indeed
slngularly affecting. The fceblencss of
his health had for some time secluded
COL Elmore from public occasions and
resorts, when he was. drawn from his sick
room to act ais the exponent of the gen
ernl sorrow OH the reception ofthe news
of MIR. Calhoun's death. The whole as
scmbly was eqally struck with the fee
bleness and waste of his body and With
the patient dignity of his bearing. His
frame was bowed, his voice was broken.
and the shadow of death rested ON his
face; but never did he look more worthy
of re,pcct, md never did his fellow cii-
zens more fully appreciate the elevation
of his character, the gentleness and truth
fulness of his heart, and the commanding
qualities Of his mind. This was his last
public appearance in Carleston, and few
of its citizens saw him afterwards. The
scene appears as of yesterday; the earth
is still fresh on the grave eff Calhoun, and
we are called upon to place beside him
his eulogist, his flicnd, his successor.
We cannot attempt to do Justice TO
Col Elmore's character as public man.
There was in his mind compcxitv. n
mineling of broad and strongly marked
qualities with subtle and elusive intrica-
cies of thought and impulse, that could
only be fairly estimated and explained
by an elaborate analysis such as We
could not attempt, and which would be
out of place here. Bv the consent of all
he has long bcan held among the most
eminent citizens of the State, cnio, ing
in remarkable degree her confidence,
acknowledged to he equal TO any duty,
with every Office in her eift open to his
ambition, and the very highest of th.m
more than once inviting his acceptance.
In regard to public distinction, he has
much more Of it within his reach than he
has consented tolay his hand on. Years
ago he might have been in the Senate
without an effort of his own. When
Mr. Polk entered upon his Presidential
term he Offered to Col Elmorc the Mis-.
sion to England, and urged it upon him
in language of warm personal regard,
such as is not -ofton.- employed ON like 90 !
caslons. Either of these positions would
have given him grcatnnd wide spread
reputation, because the qualities of his
mind and character were peculiarly fit
ted for .hcir duties. His frank and un-
preirnaing address gave him access to
the hearts of men, while the friendly
warm and the dignity of his nature Sc
cured the confidence won by his affabiIi-
ty. No man had greater power over
others in quiet deliberations, while on
great occasions he showed comprehcn.
sivencss of view. a clcaness of detail and
a faculty ofgiving the impressivencss Of
accumulated weight to progressive rea-
soning, that give him extraordinary pow
or as dchater. Earnest and patient in
investigating all subjects on which he
was called on to act, he came 10 the dis
cussion Of them with the amplest mate
rails for their illustration, and used his
knowledge and his powers of argument
Tor the sole purpose of convincing and
persuading, witha an utterabsence of all
impulse to display. To such mind, the
Senate, or the highest walks Of diploma
cy, would have been the natural field
and in either position he could not fail
to win distinguished honor, and wicld a
mighty influence.
We are strongly tempted to speak of
Col. Elmore in his personal relations and
private character. but this can only be
permitted with much reserve. Those
who loved him most deeply. and looked
up to him as therepresentative and guar
dian ofthe dcnrcst relations Of life, can
not share their grief with that OF the pub
lie for the loss of an crninet citizen. Even
his personal friends may not speak f
him here, MS they think of him in thcirin-
most hearts. The large number of those
who sympathized in all his fortunes, and
consnlered his friendship among their
richest treasures, will bear witness to the
gentleness, the communicative warmth
and fnithfulnosc of h;s koorf W. IL -.