Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-07-06
DEATH OF JOSEPH K. IRVING.

| From the Lynehbars virsnian, LIST inst.
In the brief and shocking language Of the telegraph
the announcement has already gone forth that Joseph
Irving no more OF ~ha, disease he died. or how long
he had been m. we have aot yet heard private dis
patch, to the writer Of this "Wednesday night gave the
s, Intelligence Of his another Thursday night
told Of his DEATH Some weeks since, he reached
New York from San Francisco, returning to visit bis
children aud friends in this State. Four years ago. he
was impelled, mainly BY pesuniary embarassmen,s to
which he had been reduced nature posey generous
and inconsderae Of gain, to follow the tide Of fortune
that was setting toward California Pursuing there with
much distinction and lucrative results the honorable pro-
tession OF law, he had accomplished tho objects which
forced him sever the ties Of home, and coming
back, elae aud buoyau to renew associations that
dear to him, and revisit aud places fondy remem
oered was hard aud cruel fate that struck him down
In the hour Of his triumph. and In sight 81 thousand
warmly cherished and uurcalized joys Nor less hard
and cruel may It be to those nearest to him, who
scnce as irrcdeemably sad and dark, could they
have known they would him morc.-
When he died. large and glowing heart ceased to hrob
ana soul that sympahsed with every thing elevated
beautiful good Guided its earthly mission With bis
piring breath the mortal light Of noble intel.
ec and sympahics and suscsptibties stied that
amid all the adverse buetngs Of life had preserved tho
genial quickuees and purity Of childhood. We never
knew moro guleless man-rarcly softer nature-snd
yet with these blended manhood that tolerated no
INVASION oil It's preogatves-and courage that regarded
no consequences, when action demanded. lu him
were united the arllesness OF child, and tho tender
ness OF woman, with spirit that resented insult quick.
~ aud relentlessy, the ancient knight-but from
tves higher aud better. Human itses no had but they
wero such as belong to generous naturcs-nohpg
nothing natow-nothng low. In all the qualities that
make the sterling man, he lacked nothing. lie be-
nevolent in its best aud hoadest sense was LOYAL to
his friends he bad chivsrous regard for woman; he
loved his country and vencTated the memories OF the
great patriots who founded its institutions aud have guild
cd its testines aud he uumndiu OF those more
solemn relations which reach beyond tho portals Of time
Though from early manhood prominent aud active in public
affairs he never held political occ other than the honc-
rAy appointment OF Presidential eector The duties ths
post he discharged IN that the admiral OF
party friends aud adversaries lie successful
and efficient advocate, but his reputation will
" GU his power US forensic orator. In that forum
he had few equals His style impassioned fervid and
ornate With no deficiency Of logical and augmeutav-
proportion his speeches burned aud gowed with paho
anu he had that magnetic power which makes
the true orator the master Of his His nagna
ton was too Ene to be very fertile, and his
iiuluess His Attachments in scholarship considera
be his general reading extensive aud his appreciation of
genius enthusiastic At time, but in irregular and
deSu!tory minuer, he performed the labors Of editor
writing by dictation only and without the discipline
which practice gives his compositions partook much
OF the character OF hspeecheS aud though perhaps
measurable by the ordinary rules Of criticism, they
read with much admiration, and widely copied by the
press Endowed with such qualities and accomplishments
as have ascriDed to him. is natural that he should
have large number Of rends-and that they should
have been ardently attached him. Few ever
had more-none truer His eagerly an,icipa-
ted-the sudden message which tells of his absence for
ever has shot pang into thousands Of hearts Were
to indulge the emotions of personal sorrow which the
suntering OF a friendship formed in boyhood, aud
strengthened and made nesrer by every succeeding year.
cause TO swell within US, know not what bound We
might put to the tribute which love and duty would die
tate But no word vi him from the long
sleep on which he has entered, may We hope to
soothe the anguish of those most dear him, whom
this stiiiction has fallen with crushing weight
Let Us trust that he has entered "the peace which
EnO Elair and tha fad
knowledge that their grefis shared by al! who knew
him.