Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1857-02-12
IN MENIORIAM.


The manifestations Of the public sorrow which
have been made in many portions of the State
are, indeed, grateful and touching evidences of
the esteem and we may say it, the love- with which
the gallant Brooks was regarded by the people of
South Carolina. No common event could have
produced o sensation so profound and all perva-
ding. The public heart is heavy and though all
has been done which our people can yet do in
memory Of the dead, it will be long, very long,
before the burden of lament can be worn away
What beautiful lesson it is-thus taught-that
whatever may be said of other Republics, South
Carolina knows how to be grateful. Let her
children know, and let the world know-and the
cherished memory of PRESTON s. Brooks will
ever bear testimony of the truth-that loyal,
constant and chivalrous devotion to her veal and
her honor will receive its highest reward.
In Charleston and Columbia, and throughout the
District which delighted to honor him and which
he was proud to represent, public meetings have
been held and Committees detailed to attend the
remains of the amented dead to their last resting
place. The meeting in Edgefeld was addressed
by Col. ARTHUR SIMKINs, of the Advertiser, in
terms so truthful and appropriate that we must
give them place in our columns. They are thus
reportel:-
"In the midst of life we are in DEATH" is a
scriptural lesson which every human community
is made to feel from time to time. But it is not
often that its truthfulness is impressed upon the
| bao, ,,o ,l,a al
US, in the sudden and unexpected termination of
the brief but bright career of our common friend
and feow-citizen, Preston S. Brooks
He was here with us, but a short time since, in
all the vigor of matured manhood, full of health,
of hope and of happiness. His cup of joy was so
overfowing as powerfully to affect his own heart
with gratitude and charity. In my very last in
terview with him, remember well there beamed
from his handsome, manly features smile of ear
nest caudor as he said: 81 love my fellow -citi-
zens-I love therna those who have been op.
posed to me, as well rs those who have stood my
constant friends. turn to my God, and pray that
he will help me to deserve all this" There was
look of humility and virtue, which accompani-
ed his language, that shall never forget 1t af-
fected me deeply at the time and now believe
it was the working of that Great Provideptial
mind above US, upon heart which lie knew was
soon to cease its warm pulsations forever.
Mr.. Chairman: I have known Preston s.
Brooks since knew anything in life. We were
children together, boys together. We grew up
together; became men together.
He was noble fellow always, spirited, gener-
GUS and gentle. As boy at school, his right
hand never refused its aid to q school-mate in
trouble. As child at home, mothers blessing
was his first thought at morning. his last at night.
As lad before his elders, he was ever respectful
and submissive.
In his more advanced youth he became, truly,
the "admired of all admirers" "-gallant, intei-
gent, refned,-as ready to atone for an act Of
wrong or injustice towards another, as he was to
avenge one towards himself, his family or his
friend. 1t was at this period of his life that he
became unfortunately involved in personal difficult
ties which created great sensation in this COM
munity, and indeed in our whole State No man
ever bore himself more bravely or more hand
somely through troubles of the kind than did he.
He was neither content with too little nor deman-
ded too much in the way of honorable satisfac-
ton. The promptings of duty led him at that
time, as you all know into conflict Of arms with
one who had been his class mate in the school |
room and his associate in the play ground. How
nearly fatal to both this occurrence came we'll
nigh proving it is unnecessary for me to mention
here, when the facts are so we'll known. allude
10 tue mdtCer Dut 10 ILLUSTRATE tno OF
our friends nature. For happen to know that,
within the last few months of his life, it was
Preston S. Brooks who unsolicited and without
q single motive Of self-interes) procured for the
nephew Of Louis 7. Wigfall, an honorable and IN |
advantageous appointment in the Navy of the
United States.
There is but one light, Mr.. Chairman, in which |
would now view the character of our dead com.
panion His ability as q politician, his frmness |
as representative, his success as man, are too |
generally known to need voice on the present
occasion. But most erroneous impression has
gone into some portions of the country, extracted
mainly from the memorable castigation of Mr..
Charles Sumner of Massachusetts,, that Preston
s. Brooks was but another name for q kind Of
dashing combatancy, always eager for an occasion
to manifest its prowess. l deny that this impress
sion even approximates the truth. AS bold and
lion-hearted as he was, it is false that he ever
sought strife, much less bloodshed. He was
Christian by education and gentleman by nature;
and turned with innate adherence from deeds of
violence or pain. Those who knew him Alright
will feel that speak correctly. Neither his an
ger, nor his revenge, nor any other passion OF his
nature was sufficiently strong to lead him into
mad extremes in violation of the gentler dictates
of his feeling heart. He was impulsve, it is true.
Yet know that speak the truth, and am glad
of an occasion to express myself thus when say
that his course was shaped, in its results, by
the suggestions of a good heart and an honest
conscience.
But eulogy is all vain now,-his noble spirit has
been taken from US, taken from bis country, from |