Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1857-08-19

THE DEATH OF Ex.SEGRETARY DOBBIN.-The death
of Mr. Marcy the eldest member Of President Perces
cabinet, struck the public sense with surprise by
of its suddenness, in the midst of apparent
health and vigor. The death after brief interval of
another member of the same cabinet, and the young
est, Mr.. Dobbin although the long expected result
of gradually wasting consumption, is not the less to
be deplored, Withdrawing from the field of useful
ness and honor another Of the eminent statesmen
of the Union.
Mr.. Dobbin was born at Fayetteville in the State
of North Carolina, in the year 1914 graduated with
distinction at the University of that State in 1882
and in due time established himself in the practice
of the law Fayetteville. In the relations of private
life he at once universal confidence and esteem,
by the amenty of his manners and the sincerity and
amiab,lity Of his character Adding to these quail
tiles finely attempered, but acute and penetrating,
intellect. and spirited, graceful, and impressive
highest rank at the bar and in public affairs.
After the lapse Of few years he was elected q
member of the Twenty ninth Congress, the sessions
of which he traversed with signal success and on
his voluntary retirement from which he was repeat
edy elected to in the legislative assemblies of
his State. The place he had now acquired in the
councils Of North Carolina one, not Of admira-
ton AMI respect only, but Of devoted attachment;
while the nature Of his opinions, and the digniied
zeal with which he maintained them, prepared the
whole country to regard him as one Of the rcpresen.
tative men Of the South
Thus, when President Pierce called Mr.. Dobbin
to his cabinet, and to the charge Of the Navy De-
partmcnt the selection of recognised fitness
in all general respects. But the public mind had
been quite unconscious Of the great and special ad-
illustrative qualities which Mr.. Dobbin was found
to possess as he proceeded, from year to year,
in the sedulous discharge of the delicate and arduous
duties of Secretary Of the Navy. Mr.. Dobbin was
gentleman we'll in the sense Of courtesy Of de-
pertinent in the higher of considerate care
of the rights and feelings of others, and in this re.
spect we'll adapted to be the administrative head Of
body of high bred and sensitive officers. But, in
addition to this he endowed with singular clear
headedness, as it is familiarity caed-that is, capac-
ity of distinct and clear perception Of things and Of
their mutual relations, including personal character
In this quality mind lies the secret of prompt decis
ion and Of sklul adaptation Of means to ends-in
word, practical craftsmanship. This quality Mr.
Dobbin possessed in high degree. 1t rendered him
a safe counsellor and able administrator and en-
abled him. while attentive to matters Of routine, to
20 beyond that and to devise and execute most i'm
portant measures for the augmentation of the mate
rial force and of the personal efficiency of the navy.
| Mr.. Dobbin's strong convictions Of public duty
led him to continue in the Navy Department to the
last under all the difficulties of declining health and
he then retired to the tranquil shades Of his birth place
and home, to linger q few months and to die-pre.
maturely not for his own fame to be sure but pre-
maturely for the love of his friends the hopes of his
country.men, and the service of the nation. For to
know him was to love him and the remarkable
combination of kindness with force, Of the gentle
heart with the strong mind, which constituted the
distinctive trait of his character, marked him out for
| the exercise of wider influence and the accomplish
ment of exalted good If, in the providence of God
he had been spared for the future service OF his State
and the Union. Washington Union.