Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-11-05
Address OF General Pierce ON the Death OF

| OF the death OF Mr. webster and. as mas Deen al
ready stated under our telegraphic head. town
meeting was held in the Hall of Representatives,
which was crowded with citizens. including large
number of ladies. The Boston Post says that the
chairman, Hon. Ira Perley, after appropriate resolu
tions of respect to Mr. Webster had been read called
upon General Pierce to address the meeting. The
crowded hall became rs still death as Gen Pierce
rose to comply. and with deep emotion, which at
times almost oyercame him, and in calm and impress
sive manner manner suited to the occasion, he spoke
as follows
| Mr. Chairman How deeply have all hearts been
impressed by the feryent appeal to the Power in
W hich our fathers put their trust in the hour of
their weakness and trials And how has that So
lemn impression been enhanced by the last words of
the truly great man, just read by the Rev. Dr. Bou-
ton
| But few weeks have passed since deep gloom
was cast over country by the death of the great
statesman of the West 1t had long been understood
that this light was Pickering in lis socket and must
soon go out. Still the announcement, when it came.
was laden with sadness: and have all since then
been disposed to look with warmer affection and more
glowing gratitude TO his great compeer and associate
the intelligence of whose sudden deccase will fall
like funeral pail upon the public mind throughout
that Union which he gave his best affections and
noblest efforts.
| had met Mr. Webster repeatedly prior to 1888
but my personal acquaintance with him may be said
to have commenced with my first winter at Wash
ingtOn. His attachment to State sngularly
strong. ana circumstance lea TO Sc
ties OF kind acts and courtesies toward me during
the sessions of 1884 and afterward the grateful
recollection of which will never be effaced mourn
for him for friend for whose personal regard my
own heart has given back true and full responce.
Among eminent citizens. of commanding power
and influence while was in the Senate, he stood,
perhaps. pre-eminent. In his rich combination of
qualities orator, lawyer and statesman 1T may
be safely said he had no rival. How forcibly and
sadly reminded of the great men with whom
Eacn oko1s H. oAo No. I.rh.,
preceded him in his transit through the * dark val
| ley!" White, Grundy, Forsyth, Southland, Wall,
Linn, Sewer, Silas Wright, Hill, Woodbury., CAL
houn, Clay-men who left their impress upon the
age-names indissolubly connected with the fame
and history of their country; all like him, whose
death we are now called upon to depore, were links
in the chain which bound the past generation to the
present. and all like him the other side
of that narrow line which divides time from eterni
ty
Upon whom have their mantles fallen Who are
to take their places in the perils through which our
country may be called to pass Who. with patriotic
courage and statesmanke forecast, are to guide in
the storms that WILL at times, inevitably threaten
u.s. in unexampled development of resources a
nation almost fearful progress our position of
amazing responsibility the great, confederated
self governing power of the globe These are ques-
tons which will press themselves upon all minds
but who, alas can satisfactorily answer them
To speak Of Mr.. Websters genius his varied and
solid attanments his services would be to discourse
of matters as familiar, even TO the children of his
native State as household words Besides this must
be left to vigorous pens and eloquent tongues after
the first gush of grief and the oppressive eff
loss shall, to extent. have passed away. 1t is
and long has been, my firm conviction that Mr.. Web
ster had hold upon the minds and hearts of his
countrymen, which will fail to be justly estimated
only because there has been full opportunity to
measure it. You. Mir. Chairman, have truly said
that Mr.. Websters greatness of that rare char
acter which no earthly position could exalt. He
to official stations, he approached all SUBJ
jects presented TO bis mind their superior and their
master. He has reared for himself vast pillar of
renown, which will stand in undiminished strength
and grandeur when the work of mems hands, erect
cd to bis honor will be like Nineyeh and, fear
when this Union may have shared the fate which
was tile dread of his later years. few years ago.
when the distinguished brother of the deceased was
called in an instant from time 10 eternity, in the
court in this place, with the last word of per-
feet sentence lingering upon his lips, another citizen,
most eminent and beloved, (the late amented George
Sullivan exclaimed. What shadows We are-what
shadows we pursue" How these emphatic words
como back to us here, if by echo. How mere
earthly honors and distinctions fade amid gloom
like this; how political asperities chastened
what lesson to the living what an admontion to
personal malevolence, awed and subdued, as the
great heart of the nation throbs heavily at the por
tails of his grave.
| have no heart to speak to contemplate the
extent of the loss we have sustained. AS perso-
nal friend-as a of New Hampshlre-as an
American citizen shall be, with thousands, sim
mourner at his obsequies.
Lesson for Sunday, November 7.
The Character OF Lydia.
And certain named Lydia seller of purple, of
the city of Thyatra, which worshipped God, heard
whose heart the Lord opened that she attended the
things which were spoken of Paul."-Acts xvi. H.
What bold champion for the truth the Apos-
tie Paul he was constantly employed either in ex-
gloring fresh ground which to erect the standard
of the cross visiting and watering the churches
that were already planted. We find on his separa-
ton from Barnabas he takes Sias; they meet with
Timothy at Derbe; Luke joins them at Troas and
they all set out for Philippi. They were not per-
mitted to teach in the city, so they assembled the
people without its walls. Here is remarkable in
stance of in the conversion of Lydia to God
Many things deserve notice respecting it.
It's SUBJECT She is described by
Her name LYDIA What honor to have her
name recorded here Though all saints have not
this honor, yet they have their written in the
Lambs book of life; and this stamps more lasting
dignity upon them than if they emblazoned on
the pages of history, inscribed in the annals of
fame
Her employment.- A seller of purple" She was
not one of those women of whom Paul speaks, g that
learn to be idle, wandering about from house to
house" Religion teaches to be active and indus
trious in lawful avocaons in life, and to abide
with God in our calling. Her occupation was hum
bic, but honest
Her birthplace-'' Thyatira" was city of some
eminence in Asia Minor. and was situated at very
great distance from Phlpp, where she resided.
and carried her trade. We are not told why she
left the place Of her birth but she did
not regret ii, as she could trace the eadings of
kind Providence in bringing her to sit under the