Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-05-20


were necessary to choice.
DEATH OF WILLIAM M. OVERTON.
1t is with sadness and sorrow that we an
nounce to our readers the death of WILLIAM
M. OvERToS, our associate in the enterprise in
which we are engaged-and more than that,
our much beloved friend.
Mr.. OvERroN died on Tuesday morning last,
between six and seven o'clock, at the residence
of his father-in-law, Colonel McCandlish, inI
Virginia, in the thirty-si- >,hI
year of his age. For months past NJ o.
roN's health has been delicate - s.sh,.
He fell a victim to consumpt; !, ,h., a;so. u
which is as insidious md aatter;no 90 i a
fatal.
LAM M. OvERToN we have never
: purer, nobler, and more generous
'-an. We may also say that in the sphere of
our acquaintance, which is by no means mar
row, we have never met with a man of his age|
on whose intellect Heaven had bestowed more
of its choicest gifts. Endowed with mind as
clear as sunbeam, he also possessed taste
giant in his views, he was as simple as al
child in his feelings. In his heart there was|
no guile; in his manners, no hypocrisy. As al
politician, he wrote and he spoke Just as bel
felt as man. A finished scholar, he despised|
pedantry-a Jealous politician, he abhorred|
demagogueism. While he was the friend oil
all, he payed court to none, and he would have
died in obscurity before he would have sought
advancement by servile meanness or subtle
indirection. As modest as child, he vet had
all the proper confidence of conscious genius
Few knew him as he was known to his Until
mate friends. Few knew how much of courl
age was hid under gentle manner, how much
Of learning was concealed under simplicity,
almost rustic. Few knew how many genial
qualities and how many uncalculating charities
we're covered by what, to the stranger, seemed
an impenetrable reserve. Those who knew
him not, may think that we are indulging:.in
hyperbole. But those who enjoyed his &C
quaintance will readily respond to the highest
estimate that we can place on him. Friend
ship and constant association may, and no
doubt do, sometimes lead to an exaggerated
estimate of the gifts and qualities of others,
but, discarding all such influences, we can say,
and say truly, that we regarded our deceased
friend as one of the abest men that we have
ever known.
Mr.. OvERToS was born in the county of Luz
nenburg, Virginia. After attending the schools
in his neighborhood, he went to Hampden
Sidney College. On leaving this college, he
was sent to old William and Mary, where be
completed his education. His talents and his
high social and moral qualities won him the
admiration and confidence both OF the pro-
fessors and students. The profession he Sc
lected was that Of the law, which he pursued
for several years, first in Petersburg, after
wards in Richmond. Like most Of the young
professional men in Virginia, he early turned
his attention to politics, and in several Presi-
dental canvasses contributed both by bis
speeches and writings to the success of the
Democratic party. Manifesting more taste
and aptitude for politics than for his profession
and although SO young, standing high in the
estimation Of the Virginia Democracy, his
talents both as a speaker and writer were very
often called into requisition. Some Of the
most valuable contributions to the columns of
the prominent political newspapers in Virgins
were from the vigorous and polished pen Of
Mr.. 0yERrox. But his professional connection
with the press did not commence until the
establishment Of the Union newspaper, in this
city, by the venerable and distinguished THOMAS
Richie, who, from bis whole acquaintance
and few men enjoyed an acquaintance more
extended-setected Mr.. 0yERrox to assist him
in editorial conduct Of bis metropolitan paper
The ability with which that paper was man
aged, especially at trying and important pc
RODS, is well known TO most OF our readers,
and Mr.. Richie himself was wont to concede
to our lamented friend large share Of the
credit.
When we embarked in our enterprise-the
publication of the !Sentinel-Mr. OyERroS cast
in his fortunes with us, and although much alb
sent, and for long time i'll, his connection with
us was terminated only by bis untmely death.
he left a wife, two lovely children, and large
family connexion to mourn his loss. His
genius will not soon be forgotten, his many
noble qualities win be remembered, and his
memory will be afectionately cherished by
all who had the privilege Of his friendship.
Peace to his ashes.
Notices from some OF our Exchanges Of
Mr.. Overton's Death.
DEATH OF WV. M. 0vERTos.-It gives us
deep pain TO announce the death Of William M.
0verton, esq, some time since connected with
the Washington Union, but recently one of the
editors Of the Washington Sentinel. He died
yesterday morning, between and o'clock. at
the residence Of bis fatherin-lav, Col Robert,
McCandlisb, in Williamsburg. Our lamented
friend has been in declining health for a long
time, and bis demise was not unexpected. 1t
a -