St. Charles Republican intelligencer. (St. Charles [Charles City], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1857-08-13
Mistsllanu.
Interesting Incidents in the Life Of VIM.
L. Marcy.

The Rev. DR.. Welch delivered an el-
oquent sermon in the North Pearl st.
Baptist Church, on the life, character
and death of VIM. L. Marcy. The
long intimacy which had existed be-
tween the venerable Clergyman and
the deceased, rendered proper that he
should pay this last tribute to his
memory and, notwithstanding the
oppressive heat of the evening, the
house was filled to overlooking.
After a general elucidation Of his
theme-the Appointed duration of hu
man life-the preacher presented Gov
Marcy to his audience as Citincn
Soldier, HushaHd, Father, Statesman
and Christian.
AS Soldier, it was his fortune,
during the last war with England, to
capture the first flag and to take the
first prisoner secured from the enemy.
With his courage, was blended discre-
ton, and with his empetuosity pru-
dence which, if he had continued in
the army, would have made him as
eminent in the field of war as he had
become in the more exalted field of
Diplomacy.
As iurist he was not merely wise,
but singularly conscientious. No man
more desired to Judge wisely and hon.
orable than VIM. L. Marcy.
AS Senator of the United States,
he was looked up to by his associates,
for his wisdom, and by the people, for
his well-known love of country, and
his ardent attachment to the free prin-
ciples which rendered his country the
glory of the whole earth.
As Governor of this great State
to which office he was successively re-
turned by the sufirages of the people
he gave new evidences of his fitness
for places of trust, and added new
dignity to the Executive Chair.
But it was chiefly as Secretary of
War and of State, that his great in
tellectual powers and his eminent
craftsmanship were developed. In
the latter office, he adorned the diplo'
matte literature of his country; and
by the power of his pen and the elo
ouent and irresistible character of his
logic, successively and triumphantly
with the most accomplished diploma
fists of the old world.
Pleasant as it was to recall these
incidents in the public life of his
friend, he would leave to others -
to the statesman, the politician and
the press--the pleasant task OF elab
Grating them for the benefit Of poster
ity. It was with William l.. Marcy
as christian he had to do; and nt
man living had an equal opportunity
with himself to know the inner life o
the deceased. He had enjoyed his in
innate friendship for nearly thirt,
| years and knew him at his firesid'
as well as in his public walks. HI
did not, therefore, speak rashly, with
out reason for what he uttered, wheI
he thus publicly declared William L
Marcy christian. Nor was thu
opinion of him founded merely upol
his singularly interesting social ant
domestic character-upon his gentl
attentions as "a husband, or his play
full tenderness as father. Their
were other evidences of his christian
character, which the preacher remem
bered, and now communicated wit
pleasure.
He had distinct and singularly az
curate perceptions Of the fundamenta
doctrines Of christianity. Nor wa
he ever reluctant to give uttcrance t
these views. He admitted at once tn
sublimity of the teachings OF Chris
and the binding force Of those teacl
ings. He looked upon religion as
matter personal to all men, as indiv
viduals and he conceded that he hin
} self felt the pressing character OF tn
/. obligations which it imposed upon hir
in common with the whole human fal
ily. But he was held back from
public profession of his faith, by fe
lest he should bring disrepute up
the cause Of Christ. For" said /
!. there are palpable defects in \
character which would render it dl
q cult for me to adorn christian p
ID fession nn--defects, said the preach
palpable only to himself , for no m