Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-08-28
Meeting of North CarolInians.

day.
Meeting of North Carolin,ans
Pursuant TO previous notice. meeting of native
citizens of North Carolina, resident and TRANSIENT
in this city. was held on Thursday evening last
On motion of Dr. r. ]. Powell Hon Jacob Thomp
son was called upon 10 preside,
Mr.. Thompson on taking the chair, made the fol-
lowing remarks:
That he felt complimented in being assigned to
preside this meeting, assembled to do appropri-
ate honor to the memory of Mr. Dobbn for. although
a native of North Carolina, he a resident OF
other State. Yet, wherever he might reside or in
whatever portion of the world his lot might be cast,
he would forget the land of bis brlh the home
of his childhood, and bis heart untraveed fondly
turned 10 the good old State and, although he might
be wandering and even wayward son, yet he felt
towards her all the affection and veneraton of a son
for beloved mother. One hundred and fifty years
ago his ancestors settled in North Carolina her soil
now holds their honored remains; the relatives of
his blood and friends of his youth are still tt ere
He therefore, felt that he had some claim to unite
with North Carolinians in honoring the memory of
one OF their distinguished sons He felt, too, that
this meeting was laudable in its objects In I" these
pursy times" gratitude was more sentiment for
favor to be received than for kindness done. No mo-
tves but pure and noble could have Instituted the
present meeting. Mr.. Thompson stated that he knew
we'll, early and long, the late James c. Dobbn; we
learned A, B, and multiplication table together
We learned to conjugate together, and realized
in life the truth of its afectionate meaning. Togeth-
er we tod the classic halls of Chapel Hil where
separated, prepared for the great battle of life
When we again met it was in the 29th Congress,
1885, and of that distinguished body no one bore
himself more acceptable 10 his associates more faith.
full to his constituents, devoted to his country
than Mr. D. When | next saw him (said Mr..
thompson he filled the high position of Secretary
of the Navy.
declare, with the utmost sincerity, that in all the
relations of life. in every condition or position, never
met any man in any country, of any party, who pos
sessed clearer head and purer heart than James
c. Dobbin. But he has gone Hardly had he
reached the meridian of life-in the fulness of his
fame and usefulness he is taken from US. We de-
pore his loss, admire his virtues, and let US initiate
his example. On so mournfuI an event, when death
by sroke makes such devastation of talent, &C.
qurements, and virtue, although we submit to the
blow, dumb with sorrow; we feel like Burke,
the utter vanity and folly of all earthly pursuits
" What shadows we are, and what SHADOWS
pursue! !"
The ceath of Mr.. Dobbin (added Mr. Thompson)
tell at the time with peculiar sorrow on his heart
He learned at the same time, in the same State, of
the sudden but peaceful death of his venerated and
aged father Together 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
appointed Secretary.
On motion of Hon. John H. Wheeler, committee
of three was appointed TO draft resolutions expires.
sive of the views of this meeting.
Messrs. Wheeler, McCulum, and Cooke were an.
pointed.
Mr. Wheeler supported the following resolutions,
which reported by the committee, by some
chaste and touching remarks. The resolutions were
unanimously adopted by the meeting:
RESOLVED, That the and citizens of North
Carolina, resident and transient. now in Washington,
have learned with sincere sorrow the news of the
death of their friend and felow.citizen, James C.
Dobbin-an event which truly
"Bears hearts in grief
And the whole nation be contracted one brow
We feel that, while we mourn the loss of sine ere
friend the Republic has lost of it's purest patr.
OTIS In all the relations of life where shall find
his superior AS friend be was faithful and Just
as statesman he was pure and patriotic, able and
eloquent; politician firm, yet tolerant, and with
out guile christian sincere and spotless. Those
who but partially knew him in the daily walks of
life may have been TOO the colossus to observe
the perfect proportions of its matchess symmetry
but when in future time the history of the nation
shall be recorded, the services qualities, and virtues
of James c. Dobhin will be acknow lodged and ap-
precated and rank him with the benefactors of his
age-a Roman worthy of Rome in her purest days.
RESOLVED, That we deeply sympathize with Stale
this loss, and with his sorrowing family in
their severe bereavement; and, in testimony of our
regard for the memory of Mr. Dobbn. we will wear
badge of mourning on our left arm for one month
In reporting the resolutions Mr.. Wheeler remark.
ed that the event which had caused the assemblage
OF so large and respectable number of the sons of
North Carolina was one of deep and mournful inter-
est.
" Alter the eloquent and feeling remarks of the
chairman little left to be added
But he trusted that he would be allowed to say from
an acquaintance of than twelve years, part of
which was enjoyed in the most intimate social and
ro1o u;ah NH r.
knew more perfect character, or one in whose ee.
ments all that is lovely and enrolling of our nature
was united. all that was vicious and degrading was
banished-
So A combination and o form, indeed
Where every god did seem to set his seal,
To give the world assurance of a man.
"One peculiar prominent trait in The character of
Mr.. Dobbn was his unaffected modesty and retirine
temper not that affected modesty which, like the nolo
ep1scopari of the English bishop, while declining in
words, honors, and place, in fact invites importantly
and elevation but that sincere, pure. hearted, unaf.
ected Carolina feeling that nstincvely shrinks from
any display or ostena'lon, In honor pteferrng one
another "
Mr. Wheeler then recapituated many incidents in
the public and private career OF the honored subject
of his remarks, 10 show bis devotion to the puoIic
wea his disinterestedness his self sacrificing chat
acter, his popularity and usefulness in Congress- his
successful administration of the Navy Department
and his triumphant christian death
DR.. Powell moved that the Secretary be reouested
to make the record of this meeting as full as posi-
BILE, as to embrace the feeling and appropriate re-
marks of the honorable chairman as well as those
made by Col. Wheeler.
VIM. '. Geffoy moved that the proceedings of this
meeting be published in the city papers, and that The
North Carolina papers be requested to copy
On motion of w. H. Joyner the secretary was in-
structed to send copy of the resolutions to the
family of Mr.. Dobbin.
JACOB THOMPSON, President.
WIN. ]. CowAN, Secretary.