American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-06-14
Gcllcrol l)orietn.
From The Pennsylvania Mquirer. ..
TEave Xou NIade Your Will --- n
DUTY too often Neglected.

"pE WISE TODAY"

who with large fortunes and advanced
in years, nevertheless hesitate to make,
by will a proper distribution of their
estates. They postpone from day to
day, and from year to year. until at
last sickness proStrates aud death para.
lysos and thns tho law is compelled to
play its part. a few weeks since n
young gentleman from the South arr-
we'd in Philadelphia, who only a year
before had attained his majority, and at
that time became possessed Of large
property. He was seized with sudden
illness. when a physician was called
in, who announced, to the surprise Of
the few friends in attendance, that his
patient could not live forty-eight hours.
The young man was incredulous, but
at last through earnest solicitations, was
prevailed upon to make his will, in
which he gave a large portion of his
property to his mother. a tow hours
after he died, and but for the will allu.
dcd to his estate would have gono to
distant relatives. and his mother would
have been left comparatively poor.
On another occasion, not long since,
citizen Of Philadelp phia, whose fortune
amounted to nearly a quarter OF mil
lion of dollars, sent for an attorney and
desired him to sketch out will. The
request was complied with, and beques,s
were made to- various benevolent So
cleties To the extent of one hundred
thousand dollars. The rich man, how
ever was not satisfied. and thus he con-
cluded to postpone the final act of his
signature in the presence of witnesses,
until some future day. This postpone
mont was extended from time TO time,
until at last Death became inpatient,
struck u sudden blow, and the will was
loft unfinished. Thus, the good inten
tons ana benevolent purposes that the
intended testator had cherished for years
failed OF being carried into effect, in
consequence of hesitation aud delay.
AT this moment how many are pur.
suing a similar course How MANY
have resolved TO make somo provision
by will, for particular friend, cher
lshed relative, or meritorious charity,
but neglect to discharge the duty p
They mean TO do it honestly and con
scientiousIy, but they prevaricate with
themselves If we may be allowed tho
expression; or foolishly fancy that the
making of will involves the shorten
ing OF life. In brief, they are super
slitious, and thus they are weak and ir-
resolute. In other cases, n strange in
trinity exists against tho distribution of
property, even by will. The feeling Of
avarice is so powerful, that the posses.
sor persuade5 himself that he can re-
tain his grasp upon his gold, cycn after
the vital spark shall have parted from
his frame. There is scarcely one indi-
vidual in thousand possessed of largo
means or even of any considerable prop :
erty, who would not rather have his es-
tate, real and personal, divided, on his
decease, in peculiar way. Heavy OBJ
| legations that have boon accumulatipg
for life may be thus cancelled or re.
Quilted. Old friends have been remom.
bered, early kindness may be reciprocal
ted, and priceless debts Of feeling aud
affection may be acknowledged. The
merest tritie, too, solemnly appropriated
under such circumstances, has mean.
ing and magic, and the gift that is
received after the giyor is cold aud still
IN the embrace of death, speaks with a
soul-like solemn voice, aud rs if from
the depths of the grave itself. "Ho still
remembered me n'-is the natural OK.
clamation. "I still hold place in his
friendship, his affections, and his heart.
lie was apparently cold aud indifferent
while alivej and yet when ho came to
make his will, my image arose 10 the
eye OF bis mind, and my namo was re.
corded among the beings of his love-"
This is the language which is apt to be
uttered under tho circumstances wo
have Described. How importont, then,
the solemn duty, of defining by will, the
| manner in which our property shall be
distributed, when lifo shall bo no lon.
ger. Alas for tho many whose lust
expectations have been disappointed,
whose fidelity aud kindness have boen
unrewarded, whose hearts have been
crushed by some sad neglect on the
part Of a parent, relative, q guardian
or friend. The Courts of Laws q.
bound with melancholy illustratiors.-.-
Cruel wrongs have been penetrated,
property has boon misappropiia,ed, and
life long friends, whose condition might
have been so greatly improved have
been left TO languish in priva,ion, want
and beggary. And yet, we ropeot.
thero ere thousands at this moment,
who have ample fortunes OF their com.
mand, and who still neglect the sacred,
tho solemn, the imperative duty Of
making will LIN such rnomcntous
natter, delay 10 indeed dangerous, for
Doatll IS no respoctor of persons, but
| q