The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-08-11
Death ofHon. &c. Dobbin

Death OF Hon. j. C. Dobbin.
On Wednesday last the painful intelli-
gence of the death of HON. JAMES
COCHRAN DoBBIN reached us. He
died at his residence in the vicinity of Fay
etteville on Tuesday morning the 4th inst.
An extra issued from the Office of the
"Fayetteviiie Observer dated August 4tb.
says
cit has been apparent for some weeks
past that his end was approaching. He
was not less aware of it than were the sor-
rowing friends who had So earnestly hoped
and prayed that he might be spared to
them, to his State, and to his country. He
was prepared for the awful change. A life
of purity is closed by triumphant death.
The honest and conscientious statesman,
the true friend, theupright man, has passed
from the scene of his earthly honors, to his
reward aboVe-ths "well done" of the faith
full servant.
Mr. Dobbin was born in 1914, and was in
the 44th year of bis age. He was gradual
ed at the University of North Carolina in
1882; read Law in the office Of the late
Judge Strange; was eminently successful
at the Bar; was slected to Congress in 1s45,
and declined re-election; was elected to
the Legislature from Cumberland county
in lS4S and 1856: was Speaker of the House
of Commons at tAe latter session; and final
ly entered the Cabinet as Secretary of the
Navy in 1858, serving through the entire
Administration Of President Pierce, which
he did much to render successful and pop
ular. His devotion to the arduous duties
of that station cost him his life. He has
passed away, but his memory will live here
in q community which both honOred and
loved him, and for whose prosperity his last
public letter breathed the most ardent de-
SIRE"
A meeting of the citizens of Fayetteville
was held and suitable arrangements made
for testifying their respect for the memory
of the deceased. The Hon. Warren VIM
slow prefaced the introduction of appro-
pirate resolutions with a handsome and elo-
quent eulogy ON the character of Mr. Dobbin.
He was buried on Thursday, 9th inst.
The corpse was conducted from the
family residence by committee of citizens,
and met at the town line by the three Mill
tary Companies, members of the Bar, and
citizens generally, and escorted to the Pres
byterian Church, where the Rev A. G ilchrist
pastor of the deceased) delivered q feeling
and eloquent sermon. After which the pro-
cession accompanied the remains to their
last resting place.
Business was suspended in the town, and
the bells toled during the funeral obsequies.
Tho 4,cr- tho Custom, Honca on1
Shipping at Wilmington were displayed at
half mast on the receipt of the news at that
place. On Friday the Departments in
Washington were closed in respect to the
memory of the deceased.
In the death of Mr. Dobbin the Editor of
this paper has lost a warm personal as we'll
as political friend. From our earliest
recollection we have been Impressed with
the purity of his character and the sinceri-
ty of his friendship. Being a native of the
same town, and having enjoyed the honor
Of intimate political relations with him, we
had an opportunity of knowing his worth,
and can testify that we ever found him
actuated by principle and what he CON
ceivcd to be his duty. Bold and fearless
in the nsaiaiainance of truth and principle,
undauntcd in the hour of trial and conflict
he was also endowed, by that Being who
is
Lord of the lion-heart and eagle-eye,"
with mild and gentle Opposition; cautious
and prudent, rendering his counsel and
experience invaluable to the young as well
as beneficial to those more advanced IN
years than himself.
His life was a beautiful and truthful com
mentary upon the meeknesS. cheerfulness
and gcntlcness of the Christians faith
Does one ask how the good man meets
his fate :" Rather ask how he lived Ask
life of integrity and devotion to duty, to
the interest of his fellow men. to his coun-
try. lie was no idler along the highway
of life. He lived to a good purpose, and
we know his end. The messenger found
him ready and waiting for his change, and
with the blessed hope
THAT when the mighty caravan,
That haIts one nighttime i'll the vale OF death,
Shall strike its white tents for the morning march,
He shall mount onward to teternal hills,
With feet unwearied and his strength renewed
Like the strong eagles for the upward flight"