Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1857-08-20
THE DEATH OF EX-SENATOR DOBBIN AND
SENATOR RUSX.

THE DEATH OF EX-SENATOR DoBBIN AND
SENATOR RUsK.
The month of AUGUST is yet young,
but it is already marked as a month Of
distinguished deaths. Upon the same
day of last week the telegraph brought
us the intelligence of the decease of the
Hon. James Cochran Dobbn, late Secre-
tary of the Navy under President Pierce,
and of the suicide of Hon. Thomas j.
Rusk, United States Senator from Texas.
Mr.. Dobbin died in the very prime of
his life, being only 43 years old. He
was native of North Carolina, and
studied law at Fayetteville, whaIe he
fixed his residence, and soon rose to dis
tinction in his profession. He entered
public life in 1845 as a member of Con-
gress, and after serving through his term
refused a re-election on the ground of
It's interference with his professional pur-
suits. In l848, however, he accepted
the nomination as member Of the House
of Commons in the State Legislature, and
again served in the same body in 1850,
in the capacity of Speaker. He was cleo
ton in 1852, and selected by the dele
cation of North Carolina as their inter
mediary with the Convention. 1t was his
eloquent efforts which, after several in
etfectual ballotings, concentrated the
Southern vote and secured the nomination
of General Pierce. He was again the
same year elected member of the House
I,,f IL r
his party for the seat of United States
Senator. Owing to the evenly divided
state of parties there was no choice, al
though Mr.. Dobbin was within two votes
of an election. AT his earnest request
his name was withdrawn, and the result
was that no one else could obtain the seat
from which he was excluded.
As an orator, Mr.. Dobbin's elouuence
was of a persuasive and winning rather
than of a striking character. His efforts
at the bar and in the Legislative halls
were distinguished for their clearness
fRa rarely Be- eafedf ne5f Brilliant ID hi pfaaa %
life Mr.. Dobbin's amiability of DISPOSE
ton and urbanity of manners rendered
him a general favorite. In person he
was small and slight, and his features in
dieated by their hue the delicacy of his
constitution. He had been for some time
a widower, and leaves three children to
deplore his loss.
Far more interesting is the retrospect
of the life of Senator Rusk He was, in
every sense, remarkable man. and was
fine specimen of the South Western
Hero Statesman. He was native of
South Carolina, and was but fifty four
years old at the time of his self inflicted
death. In 1885, having lived for some
years in Georgia, he removed 10 Texas,
where he took prominent part in the
revolution, commanded company of
volunteers, and as mark of the appre-
citation in which his services were held,
was appointed Inspector General OF the
Texan forces. In 1886, he was named
Delegate to the Texan Convention, and
received from that body the appointment
of Secretary at War; When intelligence
was received that Santa Anna was cross
ing the Brazos, instead of initiating the
reported pusilanimous conduct of the
safety in flight, General Rusk fastened
to General Houston, and by his presence
and counsel aided greatly in the success
of the COMMANDMENTS Chiefs operations.
At the passage of the Bayou-that criti-
cal moment for the fate of the Texan
forces-these two gallant men distin-
guished themselves for the GOODNESS and
self-possession with which they encount-
cred the perils with which their httle
army was menaced.
In 1887, General Rusk was elected
member of the Texan Congress, and in
The following year be was appointed Ma
lor General, and soon after Chief Justice
Of the Republic. He did not, however,
continue long to exercise his judicial
functions, being desirous of retiring into
private life. On the annexation of Texas
10 the United States, he was elected
member of the Convention TO frame
State Constitution, and presided over the
deliberations of Lhat body. He had the
honor of being elected one of the TWO
and in 1850 was reelected for six years
from March, 1851. He took an active
part in the debates of the senate, and as
Chairman of the Committee on Post-ofli- /
ces and Roads distinguished himself by
his practical views and prompt percep-
ton of the difficulties of the questions
brought up for discussion. After Mr..
Buchanan was nominated for the Presi-
dency at the Cincinnati Convention, the
delegates of the State of Maine nomina-
ted Mr. Rusk for Vice President. The
chairman of the delegation from Texas,
however, withdrew his name, on the
ground that he was reserved for some
thing better. Senator Rusk was Justly
esteemed one of the ablest men of the
Democratic party, and was thought of
several times for the Presidency.-Dub
Republican.