Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-06-28
DEATH OF THE HON. THOMAS III.
BAYLY OF VIRGINIA.

more He died at Mount Custis," his own
home, in Accomac county, Virginia, on Mon
day morning, the 23d instant, in the 10th year
of his age.
The disease that bore him so early from the
theatre of usefulness in which he moved, EN-.
ployed its batteries upon him in vain. From
his first serious illness he seemed to think
that he too, as most of his family had done,
must yield to its ruthless exactions. His
cheerfulness was not impaired or his manhood
subdued by the contemplation. Like the great
and good, be looked upon it with calmness and
submission.
No common man has fallen! In the event
full cycle Of half century, Virginia has return
ed to the God who gave them, full of years and
ripe with honors, many renowned statesman!
1t was we'll! They had crowned her with
honor and won for themselves in imperishable
history, enduring fame!
In the loss of General Bayly however, while
she may not murmur, Virginia cannot repress,
i'll the fullness Of an overwhelming grief, a feel
il. ii rrlining that this son, 100, was not
spared to fl! The measure Of a glorious promise.
But he has been cut off, In the meridian
Of life-in the season of his usefulness; with
career replete with honor and distinction, and
a reputation without spot or blemsh, incom-
pete only in years Goods ways are not our
ways
But his own State and his own people will
not be permitted to mourn his loss alone.
nd uhnla ,1a hon
row before the blow, and join with them in
garandng his tomb General Bayly was
national man, and man of as much national
reputation as any in the present House of Rep
resentatiyes, of which he was a member. We
doubt whether any man Of his age ever possess
ed the same confidence Of his fellow members.
This he won without effort, for it was a univer-
sal tribute 10 his superior intellect and his
unmistakable honesty Of purpose. He was no
trickster, and would sooner risk the censure Of
his party, than lend himself to an unworthy
strategy. He was one Of the boldest and
bravest public men we have ever known. He
,cas less Of that hateful thing called demd-
gOgue, (unhappily as thick in our land now,
!" as leaves in Valambrosa,") than any one we
!, ever knew. He scorned from his heart every
thing akin to it. In some States this would
have formed great barrier to his success. In
his own, and especially ancag his o,rn people,
it was the reverse.
Like all the public men in his State, his en-
even at SO immature an age, he had made
much mark at the bar in his own section; for
while a brilliant, though very youthful member
Of the legislature, be was elected by that body
the judge of the circuit in which he lived. In
this position he remained, winning laurels
on every hand, by the dignity, fairness, and
judicial wisdom which characterized his career
upon the bench, until the appointment Of his
predecessor in Congress, the Hon. Henry A.
Wise tothe mission to Brazil. Much against his
own will and tastes for we have often heard
him say this was the happiest time Of his life,)
he was forced again into the political arena
His election, of course, was triumphant. We
will not do injustice to his brilliant career in
Congress- during the whole Of which he held
the first positions on the most prominent com
mittees, by farther reference to il in this
heartfelt but imperfect tribute to bis public
worth. We confidently anticipate from able
hands an elaborate and accurate sketch Of his
participation in public affairs as well as
careful revision and publication Of his mastery
speeches and writings, which so richly deserve
10 become a part OF the political literature of
the day, and to take rank with the productions
OF our contemporary statesmen. II is sufficient
here TO say, that as public man, he was able
faithful, and Just He was States Rights
Democrat, Of the strictest school, and while be
observed religiously all the principles Of this
political faith he ever repealed with manly
pride, and disdained any unworthy behest of
his party!
But how shall we speak Of his virtues and
qualities as man2 In his family he was as
little chd-gentle, afIectionate, joyous His
servants loved him-not merely as humane.
generous and familiar master, but they loved
him for himself AS friend, zoe have a right
to say, we have never known his equal. He
could forget himself more entirely in hisfriend
ships than any man we have ever known. No
frown Of power, no fear Of public favor for
feited, no personal or political peril, could make
him desert the fortunes, desperate though they
might be, Of his friend Fidelity TO his friends
was religion With him. lie ,co,ld hare died
before he 'could hare deserted friend!
Such was Thomas II. Baylyi But his spirit
has gonel and his grave is made, as was his
wish, among his own people, and at his own |
home, by the great ocean Our heart goes out |
intearful sympathy to the gentle ones, who have
been 50 sorely beresved. May that God in
whom they trust be their friend and com.
forterl
MEsMERIsN ExPosED.--Some years ago
pretended professor Of mesmerism named Leroy
Sutherland, gave series Of astonishing perform
ances in the Atlantic cities, in which one Frank