Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1854-01-17

OF the StatfW dshre; family hoping that the doubts
Of its correclness, hardly more Than the wishes Of
friendship and humanity clingng to slight proba-
bilities, might prove 10 be well founded. But
these donbts have given place to sad cerIainy as
TO the main act. The noble clipper struck Blonde
Rock, south Of Sea Island, near Cape Sable, on
Friday morning, Dec. Both. Fory-iour persons,
including The mates, mostof the crew, and several
passengers, were saved, ii is said, in boats; the
remainder of those on board one hundred and
eighty, chiefly emgrans, went down with the
ship. Among those swept away, in that wildtems
pest-hour, was The Captain, Josiah Richardson.
Personally acquainted with this gentleman, when
ever we saw him we were led 10 respect his active
mind frankness, and chivalrous interest In his
chosen pursuit; but it 10 mainly on the reliable
testimony ofthose who knew him intimately, from
his childhood, that we are prompted TO add our
tribute to the many already paid TO his WORTH
He went to sea, as a cabin boy of twelve years;
and from that time to The moment when the sea
became his winding sheet, his home, with but
few intervals, was on the restless waves. BY de-
votedness, energy, perseverance and intelligence,
he rapidly in his profession, and passed quick
" from the forecastle 10 the quarter deck, (which
he trod every inch a sailor, and never forgetting
the man in the sailor. His SKILL prudence, and
enterprise as a navigator, are confessed by all who
are capable of Judging Of his remarkable merits
in that capacity. As a commander he was firm
and kind: requiring of his crew quick obedience
and fidelity to their duties, but treating them al
ways as fellow beings, careful Of their health and
comfort, and minisiering TO them kindly when
sick; and, by never sparing himself, be set them
an example Of faithlulness. His cabin passen-
gers found him courteous and attentive host,
whilst IN him the poor emgrants had friend who
would not allow even their own ignorance and in
dolence TO endanger their lives or impair their
comfort. Though somewhat celebrated for his
quick trips, he did not make them in reckless
spirit. His recent voyage from the East Indies,
the shortest ever made, might have been accom-
pshed in day less time but for his unWilIingness
torun the slightest unnecessary risk. AS he made
the land, he was quite but not perfectly sure he
was on the right course. Throwing the little
doubt, by strong self control. into the scale of
safety, he ''put about and stood Quit sea" again
to find, the next morning that he might with en-
tire security have kept his favorte Staffordshire
on her triumphant way. The courage and sacri-
fee of such an act OF caution as this, in one as
ambitious as he was, was truly noble and needs
no comment For his private character Captain
Richardson was esteemed and beloved: without
bigotry or austerity his religious faith and princ.
Piles were strong; and it is the memory OF his home
virtues, his generous temper, kindness Of heart,
and genial spirit, that makes his removal sad
sorrow where the stranger may not intrude even
with his condoleuce. If anything save trust in
the yet hidden mercy ofau nscruable providence
could assuage the grief that mourns husband,
father, and friend, ii would be the though. that
ending so sadly, heretofore prosperous career,
be has left so fair professional reputation and
so hlameless name.
Not TO indulge in mere eulogy do we thus speak
of him here, but simply because the heroes of pa
cfc civilization, those who brave death and dan.
ger in honorable caIIings in the service of the best
interest Of mankind, deserve to he held in special
rementrance. Their work is creative and not
destructive. They do not desolale but bless the
homes of the people. They instead of
sunderlng the lies Of fraternity, and promote good
will among men. They toll in behalfof the cause
of philanhrophy, and help 10 spread the light of
truth and the fruitful seeds of goodness over The
world They are helpers of the right progress of
humanity. Let, then, the sailor, who was not
mere sailor, who loved his profession and did so
much TO win respect for it, have the praise that is
due to him. As the imagination family pictures
that fearful scene, sees thestorm dashed waters,
the straning, quverng, laundering ship, hears
the sIrleks of men, women and children, rising
above the noise Of many waters, and the fierce re-
QUEEN ofthe gale, let it not be forgotten that, then
and there, doubtless with firm trust in God, re-
turned TO Him who gave it, the spirit of one who,
though at last he met death terrible in the tenn.
pest, lived long enough to win precious name for
whatever qualities adorn the true sailor and the
Christian man, to prove that the truesl heroisrn
may be shown in devotion to a needed but peril
Gus vocation; and that this herosm, if not COM
memorated with the costly monumental marble,
demands none the less the homage of every lover
of genuine manlIness, every friend of The arts Of
peace, every believer in the coming day,-when
the victories most celebrated shall be the victories
which, according to the divine purpose, are con-
.Oun tho and hn oarth tha horit Of
humanity Christian Register.