The Washington union., 1857-11-11
tFosr the s.,,on.l in,elns.nssr
THE LATE sENAfuR ktssk.


gentleman the 2st Of Jyly ast mot sufficiently
In extenso to do his memory justice. But
Cas- sesed animated bast
Bek 10 is mansion eal the nesins breathe
Can bonors provoke The silent dust,
Or na,,ery seobs the dun cold sar of
So iar from nsttery soothing the dead justice 10 them
often oends the living but surely something is due to
those who have led distinguished space In the public
eye, and risen by the force Of their own genius and
talents from obscury distinction II is not only due
TO them but Is also doe to the rising generation slim
ulant TO exertion.
Senerai Rusl- vas no ordinary man. CON Of an
Irish emigant, who settled In so6ih Cafoiiia ard With
out the adycnous aid Of fortune friends he educated
himself studied law, and at early day married In
Georgia and settled in Texas, then province of Mexico
and at the time Of her declaration Of independence
find hn Secretary of War. just before the battle OF
San tacihto aid utoii the invasion of TEXAS by Santa
Anna with 900 Mexican troops the choice Of his army,
and whilst the balance of the Texan cabinet fled towards
the seashore for safety Rusk joined the army of indie
pendenoe under General Houston. His presence MAS
hailed with enthusiasm '.s voice still for !"
and at the consultation of officers previous to the battle
General Houston observed to Rusk, sYou think must
fight think too = and this led to the battle of San
Jacinto and the independence of Texas The result of
that battle is before the world matter of history
but in that battle, of the most extraordinary and
glorious record either of ancient modern times
commander chief being desperately wounded and taken
to the rear, the command devoved upon Rus and just
at that momentous crisis, upon which hung the destiny
Of the nation, halt made, but Rsk squirting up
at the moment his loud clarion voice heard amid
the din Of battle, on boys, on, never And
on they went following him to victory or death. In
this battle, stamped with romance than reality
he captured in single combat the most gallant of the
Mexican generals General Almonte and received his
sword
The battle Of san Jacino has been compared to the
battle of New Orleans But in the latter the Americans
fought within enrencbments and acted the defensive
only whereas In the former the Mexicans fought within
entertainments and the defensive, and all cap
tHed or hHei
After the battle and capture Of Santa Anna, such
the torture of General Houstons wound that he found
it necessary leave the army and visit New Orleans for
surgical aid and in his address to the army he used this
language General Rusk is appointed to command the
army the present conde in his valor, his patriot
ism, and wisdom His gallant conduct in the battle Of
San Jacinto sufficient to your confidence and
| regard = wide History Of Texas And such the
ubounded popularity of General Rusk that his appoint
men. received with acclamaton. Upon the estab-
lishment Of Texan independence being known able
and distinguished lawyer, he made the first Chief
Justice of the Republic, and in that august position ii
his high prerogaye TO create order out Of chaos
till annexation although often solicited to become
candidate for the presidency He then elected
of the first two United States senator's and entered
on this theatre in the 44th year of his age Amongst
his noble and distinguished compeers he attained
the front rank, and pronounced by one of them Mr.
Webster, .sthc first upon the democratic side He
was not distinguished orator, like Clay, Calhoun
Webster, Douglas, many others, but, like Washing
ton, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe he seized upon
manly candid, clear and lucid style that rarely failed
Of and was in this illustrious body of great
men, amongst the first and universally popular he had
always been upon every theatre upon which he had acted
and took active and leading part in all great national
questions He had been three times elected to the Uni
ted States Senate and the last time unanimously; and
at the close OF the last session. elected President
pro ten. of the Senate against his own wishes. Few
statesmen occupied conspicuous place before the
country.
With all the leading and distinguishing traits Of this
truly great man. the least among them his mild
retiring, medative, and pacific character Although
adept with the rifle and pistol rendered by his early
location amidst the ruthless savagcs of the western wds
and proven his exceng many of the best shots in the
Union, he engaged in duel, either prnc-
pal second, but had been the mediator in many
tcmplated He one of the most hospitable and
generous that lived No onein want applied
to him in vain He friend to the widow and orphan
and made ii rule to charge either for any legal ad
vice or services He was not ambitious. His whole aim
seemed to be do right and all the good he could to every
one He was too firm believer in the Bible, and read il
and thoroughly To the poor he constant
and fried Many apoor person in this city, in other
places will miss him. and long remember with the live
est feelings Of gratitude his Kindness and unwearying
eIcrions to help and assist them During his long
atoal service he permitted any to his
atori frank to himself except strictly in the
discharge Of his official privilege In his whole character
he cmphatcally of nature noblemen, ION whom
every god had seemed to set his seal 10 give the world
of man In all the relations of life hus-
band father neghlor friend warrior statesman en-
trcly exemplary towards others; yet there is
perfect no. not one he had his faults and fell 10y his
own hand in a temporary fit of insanity, produced by
excessive grief for the loss of his devoted wife, lady of
excellence and pety, who had married him in early
life and followed his fortunes with pride and devotion in
all his struggles to fortune and fame, and to whom he
was truly devoted Whilst in the discharge OF his public
duties his mind drawn away from his ireparable loss
but on returning home amidst its associations, his
thoughts constantly dwet upon the absent one, which
cast gloom like shadow his whole existence inn
possible for him TO erpel and which ended in insanity
and suicide. But
The boast Of heraldry, the pomp of power
And NIL that beauty, all that wealth gave,
wi alike the inevitable hour
The paths Of glory but 10 the grave"
SAN JACINTo.