Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1854-07-01
DAILY IIRGINIAN.
SATURDAY MORNING. :. JULY l, 1854.



In the brief and shocking language of the tel
egraph. the announcement has already gone forth
that Joseph X. Irving is no more. of what dis
ease he died, or how long he had been i'll, we have
not yet heard. A private dispatch, to the writer
of this, Wednesday night, gave the first intelli-
gence of his sickness-another, Thursday night
told of his death. Soma two weeks since, he
reached New York from San Francisco, return
ing to visit his children and friends in this state.
-Four years ago, he was impelled mainly by pecu-
mary embarrassments. TO which he had been re-
duced by nature profusely generous and incon-
sderate of gain TO follow the tide of fortune that
was setting toward California. Pursuing there,
with much distinction aud lucrative results, the
honorable profession of law he had accomplished
the objects which forced him 10 sever the ties
of home, and was coming back, elate and buoy
ant, to renew associations that were dear to him,
and revisit scenes and places fondly remembered.
1t was hard and cruel fate that struck him down
in the hour of his triumph, and in sight of a tbous
and warmly cherished and unrealized joys. Nor
less hard and cruel may il be TO those nearest to
him. who would have counted the long hours Of
his absence as irredeemnbly sad and dark, could
they have known they would see him mare.
When he died. a large and glowing heart ceased
to throb, and soul that sympathised with every
thing elevated or beautiful or good ended its
earthly mission. With his expiring breath went
out the mortal ligh; of a noble intellect; and sym
pathies and susecptibilites were stilled, that
amid all the adverse buifetings of life had preserv
ed the genial quickness and purity Of childhood.
We never knew more guileless man--rarely a
softer nature-and yet with these were blended
manhood TINT tolerated no invasion of its pre-
rogati, es-and a courage that regarded NJ con.
sequences, when action was demanded. IN him
were united the artlessness of a child, and the
tenderness of woman, with a spirit that resented
insult quickly and reentessy as the ancient
knght-but from motives higher and better
Human frailties he had, but they were such as
belong to generous natnres-nothng mean
nothing narrow-nothing low. In all the quail
ties that make the sterling man, he lacked moth
ing He was benevolent, in its best and broadcast
he loyal to his friends he had
ohyalrous regard for woman; he loved his coun-
try and yenerated the memories of the great pat
riots who founded its institutions and have guild
ed its destinies and he was not unmindiul of
those more solemn relations which reach beyond
the portals of time Though from early man
hood prominent and active in public affairs he
never held political office, other than the bon
orary appointment of Presidential eector The
duties of this post he disehargedin manner that
won the admiration of party friends and adj
sersarfes. lie was a most successful and eff
cient advocate. but his reputation will rest mainly
on his power as forensic orator. In that forum
he had few equals. His style was impassioned,
feryid and ornate With no deficiency of logical
and argumeniative proportion his speeches burn
ed and glowed with pathos and poetry be
had that magnetic power which makes the
true orator the master OF his audience His
Imagination too fine to be very fertile, and his
taste faultess. Ills attachments in scholar
ship were considerable his general reading ex-
tensiye, and his appreciation of genius enthus-
astic. AT one time, but in an irregular ond de-
snltory manner. he performed the labors of an
editor Writing by dietution only, and without
the discipline which practice gives, bis compost
tons partook very much Of the character of his
speeches, and though not perhaps measurable
by the ordinary rules of criticism, they were read
with much admiration, and widely copied by the
press. Endowed with such qualities aud accom-
plishments as we have ascribed TO him, il is natu-
raj that he should have had large numb ,r Of
friends-and that they should have been ardentIy
attached to him. Few men have ever had more
none truer. His return eagerly anticipated
the sudden message which tells of his absence
forever has shot paug into thousands Of hearts
Were we toindulge the emotions of personal sor-
row, which the sundering of friendship formed
In boyhood, and strengthened and made nearer by
every succeeding year, 10 swell with
IN us, we know not what bound we might
put TO the tribute which love and duty
would dictate. But no word of ours can rouse
him from the long sleep ON which he has entered
nor may we hope-to soothe the anguish OF those
most dear to him, ON whom this affection has
fallen with SO crushing a weight. Let us trust
that he has entered ON 1.-THE peace which passeth
knowledge aud that they may find consolation
in the knowledge that their grief is shared by all
who knew him.
Debate on the Mexican Treaty Apr opiiation
The speech of Mr.. Benton, opposing the APP