The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1852-07-29

now listening to this "reminiscences, and to
a feeble tribute Of regard from one WIZ
then saw him for the first time, but wh,
can never forget the impression he produc
ed by the charms Of his conversation, the
frsnkness Of bis manner, and the higl
Qualities with which he was endowed
Since then he has belonged to bis country, !,
end has taken part, and a promine nj
part, both in penco and war. in all the
great questions affecting her interest and
her honor; and though It has been my for
tune often to differ from him, yet believe
he was AZ pure patriot as ever par,icipa-
led in the councils Of nation, anxious for
The public good, and seeking to attain il,
during all the yicissitudes of long and
even,ful lie. That he exercised a power.
fu! influence, within the sphere Of his ac-
ton, through the whole country, indeed,
we all feel and know; and we know too
the eminent endowmen,s which gave him
this high distinction. Frank and fearless
in the expression of his opinions, and in
he performance Of his duties; with rare
powers Of eloquence, which never failed to
rivet the attention Of his auditory, and
which always comma nded admiration, even
when they did not carry conviction;
prompt in decision, and firm ia action; and
with vigorous intellect, trained in the
contents Of stirring life, and strengthen
cd by enlarged experience and observa-
ion, joined wthal to an ardent love of
country, and to great purity Of purpose
thoso thu al a. re h;a ...L
success. And we dwell upon them with
mournlul qualification, now when we shal
soon follow him to the cold and silent tomb,
where we shall commit earth to earth, ash
les TO ashes, dust to dust, but with the bless.
ed conviction ofthe 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 ours.
He has passed beyond tho reach Of hu-
man praise or censure, but the judgment Of
his contemporaries has preceded and pro
nounced the judgment Of history, and bis
name and fame will shed Iostre upon his
country, and will be tondly cherished il
he hearts Of his countrymen for long age,
to come. Yes, they will be cherished and
freshly remembered when these marble
columns that surround US, so often the vii
nesses of his iriumphs. but in few brief
hours, when his mortal frame, despoiled 81
the immortal spirit, shall rest under this
dome for the last time, TO become the wit
nesses Of his defea, in that final contest
where the migh,es, fall before the great
DESTROY er-when these marble columns
shall themselves have fallen, like all the
works Of man, leaving their broken frag-
mrnts 10 tell the stor, Of former maguif
cence, amid the very ruins that announce
decay and desolalon.
! was often with him during his Last in,
ness, when the world and the things Of the
world were fas, fading away before him.
He knew that The silver cord was almost
ooee ned, and that the golden bowl was
breaking at the fountain; but he was re-
signed 10 the will Of Providence, feeling
that He who gave has the right 10 take
away in his own good time and manner.
After his duty TO his Creator and his anx-
iety for bis family, his first care was for
his country, and his first wish for the pres
ervaiion and rerpetuation Of the Cons,itu
,ion nd the Union, dear TO him in the hour
of death ms they had ever been in the vigor
of life; OF that Constitution and Union
whose defence in the last and greatest
crisis Of their peril Ind called forth all bis
energies, and had stimulated those memo.
rable and powerful exertions which he who
witnessed can never forget, and which no
doubt hastened the final catastrophe ma.
ton now deplores with sincerity and una
nimiiy not less honorable to themselves
than TO the memory Of the object Of their
affections And when we shall enter tha,
narrow valley through which he has passed
before US, and which lesds to the Judgment
seat Of God, may wo he able to say.
through faith 10 bis Son, our Savior, and
10 the beautiful language Of the hymn Of
the diving christian-dying, but ever living
and triumphant
"Ths world receeds; il disappears;
Heaven opens on my eyes; my ears
With sounds seraphe ring!
Lend, lend your wings! Imonnt, I fly!
Oh, grave, where 10 thy victory?
on, death, where is thy sting?"
Let me die tho death of the righteous,
and le, my last hour be like his!
Nor AFRAID TO DIE.-In announcing