The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-07-07


the lofty and lowly must all meet at last.
| do not rise upon this mournful occa-
sion to indulge in the language fpanegy-
ric. My regard for the memory Of the
dead, and for the obligations Of the living
would equally rebuke such course. The
severity Of truth is at once our proper duty.
and our best consolation. Born during
the Revolutionary stuggle, our deceased
associate was one of the few remaining
public men who connect the present gene
ration with the actors in the trying scenes
Of that eyentful period, and whose names
and deeds will soon be known only in the
history of their country.
He was another illustration. and noble
one. too. Of the glorious equality Of our in
stitutions, which freely offer all their re-
wards TO all who justly seek them, for he
was the architect Of his own fortune, hav-
ing made his way in life by self-exeriion;
and he was an early adventurer in the
great forest Of the west, then world OF
primitive vegetation. but now the abode
of intelligence and religion, of prosperity
and civilization.
But he possessed that intellectual supe-
riority which overcomes surrounding OBJ.
stacles. and which local seclusion cannot
long withhold from general knowledge and
appreciation. Ii is almost half CEN
tury since he passed through Chlicothe.
then the seat of government OF Ohio, where
| was member of the Legislature, on his
way to take his place in this very body,
which is now listening to this reminiscence,
and to feeble tribute of regard from one,
who then saw him for the first time, but
who can never forget the impression he
produced by the charms of his conversa-
ton, the frankness of his manner, and the
high qualities with which he was endowed.
Since then he has belonged TO his coun-
try, and has taken part, and prominent
part, both in peace and war, in all the
great questions affecting her interests and
her honor; and though it has been often
my fortune to differ from him, yet believe
he was as pure patriot as ever participa.
ted in the councils of nation-anxious
for the public good, and seeking TO attain
it, during all the vcissitudes OF long and
active lie. That he exercised powerful
influence within the sphere of his action.
through the whole country, indeed we all
feel and know; and we know, too. the en-
inent endowments which gave him this
high distinction.
Frank and fearless in the expression Of
nd in nj
his duties, with rare powers of eloquence,
which never failed 10 rivet the attention Of
his auditory, and which always command.
ed admiration, even when they did not
carry convictions; prompt in decision, and
firm in action. and with vigorous intel
ect. trained in the contests of string life,
and strengthed by enlarged experience
and observation, joined withal TO an ardent
love of country and to great purity of pur-
pose; these were the elements of his pow
err and success. And we dwell upon them
with mournlul qualification now when we
shall soon follow him to the cold and silent
tomb, where we shall commit earth to earth,
ashes to ashes, dust to dust, with the bles-
sed conviction of the truth Of that divine
revelation which teaches US that there is
life and hope beyond the narrow house
where we shall leave him alone to the mer-
cy of his God and Of ours.
lie has passed beyond the reach of hu.
man praise or censure, but the judgement
Of his contemporaries has preceded and
pronounced the judgement Of history, and
his name and fame will shed lustre upon
his country, and will be proudly cherished
in the hearts of his countrymen for long
ages to come. Yes, they will be cherish
ed and freshly remembered when these
marble columns that surround us-so Of
ten the witnesses Of his triumph, but in a
few brief hours, when his mortal frame,
despoiled of the immortal spirit shall rest
under this dome for the last time, to be-
come the witnesses of his defeat in that
final contest where the mightiestfall before
the great destroyer-when these marble
columns shall themselves have fallen-like
all the works of man-leaving their bro
ken fragments to tell the story of former
magnificence, amid the very ruins that an j.
DOlnCe utCdy anu ueSOluuUU.
was often with him during his last ILL.,
ness. when the world and the things of the
world were fast fading away before him.
He knew that the silver cord was almost
loosened, and that the golden bowl was
breaking at the fountain, but he was re-
signed TO the will Of Providence, feeling
that He who gave has the right to take
away in his own good time and manner
Alter his duty to his Creator and his ankle
ty for his family, his first care was for his
country, and his first wish for the preserva-
ton and perpetuation Of the Constitution
and the Union, dear 10 him in the hour Of
death as they had ever been in the vigor
Of life. OF that Constitution and UG;oi.
whose defence in the last and greatest
crisis Of their peril had called forth all his
energies, and had stimulated those memo
rable and powerful exertions. which he
who Witnessed can never forget, and
which. no doubt, hastened the final catas.