The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-08-15
MEETING OF NORTH CARoLINIANs

city was held ON Ihnfsday evening ins'
On motion Of Dr. R. J. Powell Hon Jacob Thompson
was called upon TO preside.
Mr. Thompson, ON taking the chair, msde the follow
ing remarks
That he felt compnented in being assigned to preside
over this meeting assembled 70 do appropriate honor "a
the memory of Mr.. Dobbin for, although native Of
North Carolina he resident OF another State Yet
wherever he might reside OF In whatever portion Of the
world his lot might be cast, he would never forget the
land of his birth the home of his childhood aud his .ea
untrayeed fondly turned TO the good old State and
although he might be a wandcrng-and even wayward
SON yet he felt towards her all the affection and yener
ton of a son for beloved mother. One hundred and
fifty years ago his ancestors settled in North Carolina
her soil now holds their boDored remains the rela
tiyes of his blood and friends of his youth s there
He therefore felt that he had some claim TO unite with
North Caronans in honorng the memory OF one of their
distinguished sons He felt too, that this meeting was
audabie in its objects In 'these pursy times gratitude
was more sentiment for favor to be received than for
kindness done. No motives but pure and noble could
have instituted the present meeting Dir. Thompson
stated that he knew we'll early and long, the late james
G. Dobbn we learned A, b, and multiplication table
together We learned to conugate limo together and real
lied in life the truth of its afeconae meaning Together
we trod the classic halls Of Chapel HILL where se
rated prepared for the great battle OF life. When we
again met it was in the 10th Congress, ps45 and Of
that distinguished body one bore himself more accept
able to his associates faithful to his eonsuent
more devoted to his country than Mr.. ID. When Inext
nm tsalu MI lhcmpsOnl ne Hllce tiie hlsh
ton of Secretary OF the Navy
declare with the utmost sincerity, that in all the na.
lions OF life in every condition position, never met
any in any country, OF any party who possesseda
clearer head and purer heart than James c. Dobbin But
he Is gone Hardly had he reached the meridian of life
in the fulness of his fame and usefulness he is taken
from We deplore his loss, admire his virtues and
let us initiate his example On so mournful an event
when death by one stroke makes such devastation
talent requirements, and virtue, although we submit
the blow, we are dumb with sorrow feel like Burke
the utter vanity and folly of all earthly pursuits
" What shadows are and what shadows pursue r
The death of Mr.. Dobbin added Mr., Thompson) fell
at the time with peculiar his heart. He learn,
ed at the same time in the same State of the sudden
but peaceful death Of his veneated and aged father TO-
gether his parent and his friend commenced their journey
to 'that undiscovered country where the weary at
rest, and all sorrows cease.
On motion of j. B, Holderby, Vim. J. Cowan was ap,
pointed secretary.
On motion Of Hon. John II. Wheeler sommittee Of
three was appointed to draght resolutions expressive
the views Of this meeting.
Mcssrs. Wheeler McCullum, and Cooke appointed
Colonel Wheeler supported the following resolutions,
which reported by the committee by some chaste
and touching remarks The resolutions unanimously
adopted by the meeting
Rcsoleod That the sons and citizens of North Carolina
resident and transient in Washington city have
learned with sincere the Of the death of Their
friend and fellowcitizen, James c. Dobbin-an event
which truly
hearts in grief,
the who's nation TO be contracted In brow OF woe
We feel that while we mourn the loss of sincere friend
the republic has lost of its purest patriots In all the
relations of life, where shall find his superior AS
friend he was faithful and just As statesman he
pure and patriotic able and eloquent Asa politician finn,
vet tolerant and without guile As Christian sincere
and spotless. Those who but partially knew him, in
the daily walks Of life may have been too the coos
to observe the perfect proportions of its matches
symmetry; but when in future time the history Of the
nation shall be recorded the services qualities and y
tues of James c. Dobbn will be acknowledged and app
GATED and rank him with the benefactos of his agea
Roman worthy Of Rome in her purcst days.
Resolri, That we deeply sympatze with our State in
this loss, and with his sorrowing family in their
bereavement and in testimony of regard for
the memory of Mr.. Dobbin, we will wear badge Of
mourning on our left arm for one month.
In reporting the resolutions, Mi Wheeler remarked,
that the event which had caused the assemblage Of
large and respectable number Of the Of North Caro-
lima of deep and nlournful interest
After the eloquent and feeling remarks Of the dsin
guished chairman, little left to be added But he
trusted that he would be allowed to say from acquan
ance of more than twelve years. part of which en-
joyed in the most intimate social and political relations
with Mr.. DobbiI, that he knew more perfect
character; or one in whose elements all that is lovely
and ennobling of our nature united all that was Vi
cious and degrading was banished
A n
Where every God did seem to set his SEAL
To give the world assurance Of man."
One peculiar prominent trait in the character of Mr.
Dobbn was his unaffected modesty and retiring temper not
that affected modesty which, like the noo scod Of the
English bishop that while declining in words honos
and place, in fact invites importantly and elevation
but that sincere rehearted, unaffected Carolina feeling
that stnctivcly shrnks from any display osenation
sin honor prefeing another His first entrance in
public life was his nomination by the people of his native
district without any expectation wish expressed on his
part to scat in Congress in l845 to which he was tT
umphantly elected able and active opponent
OF his and career in that Congress distinguish
ed chairman, who served with him. has already informed
1t be disparagement to say that in the dele
cation from North Carolina, composed it was of both
the present senators, the laborous veteran of political
warfare General Mckay, the late distinguished envoy to
Spain, Hon. d. NJ Barrnger,) and others, Mr.. Dobbn
occupied high and distinguished position. His efforts on
the Oregon BILL the public lands and the contested cleo
ons from New Jersey and Florida established his Iepu
ation of the abes dcbates of that distinguished
body. He voluntarily retired from Congress, with the
respect of all who knew him. and with the affection Of his
constituents. Another evidence of his unaffected mode
occurred during the term Of his last Legislative service You
all recocct in the scenes of the legislature of 1852
parties were nearly or equally divided. The old
State had commenced with slow but steady strides her
political revolution United States senator to be
elected. The democratic party, with great unaninl'
ity selected Mr. Dobbn their candidate. The
opposition untring, able, and active After repeated
and animang ballots, the feelings of both parties be-
came excited to the utmost tension often Mr. Dobbm
received within two votes enough to elect him.
and amid all the excitement seemed the only cool and
collected person among After forty or MY
trials he requested that caucus of the party might be
called with cloquence unsurpassed and unaffected
sincerity he withdrew his nnme and besceched that some
other should he substituted IN its stead The party bad