The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-12-27

The Dead Of 1s5e-What They Were and
What They Teach.
We publish to-day, in another column our
usual annual chronology Of prominent men who
have passed away during the year which is now
expiring. Although the List is not so prolific in
mighty names as it has been sometimes our duty
to record, yet ii contains many names of mark
whose voices shall be heard no more
AS the eye runs over the list what varied
scenes and struggles are called up by the memo
ry! 1t seems as though il were of itself On cpl
tome Of life, with all it's sudden changes and
strong contrasts. Havelock and Rachel, Ra-
detzky and Bonpland, Lablache and Osollos,
Benton and Alexis Soyer, pass successfully be-
fore US, each with his troop Of thoughts and deeds
swelling the sum Of human action. Men who
have succeeded in filling space in the worlds
eye have done so because they have been repre-
sentative men, either in an active or passive
sense If in the active sense, they have had some
leading share in the ideas and acts that have
formed part of the development Of the age in
which they lived; if in the passive, then they
have formed the representative mark at which
the weapons Of the age have been aimed.
In this latter sense two names at least which are
familiar to our readers are found in the present
list Eleazer Williams, whether Bourbon or not,
became the passive exponent Of that contempt
with which the present age receives claims to
mere hereditary honors; and bred Scott, though
one of the most ignoran. Of his race, has become
a synonym Of one Of the worlds most bitter con-
ficts.
But turning from the passive to the active list,
how completely do the names we find there re-
present the strifes that are still going on between
the present and the past between civilization
and barbarism With Havelock India rises be-
fore us with all her ensanguinej horrors, and the
gallant defence and relief Of Lucknow tell how
great the physical difference between the civil
lied man and the barbarian. Our own Perry
comes next in tine same struggle of the enlight-
ened West against the dark East. BY him the
gates Of Japan-closed for centuries opened,
and new era is inaugurated for both Radetzky,
Osoilos and Monagas. each in different quarter
of the earth, represent the stubborn defenders
Of the old theories Of despotism against the
assault Of the millions led by such men as
Reschid Pasha in Turkey, Baron Ward in
Parma, and Gomez farias in Mexico As
these pass away the contest lapses to other
hands, and receives new forms, in which
steady triumph of the enlightened spirit Of the
age is observable. Those who cling to the past
no more found their breastworks upon the divine
right of kings, while the aims Of the men of ac-
ton Of the present are extended over continu-
ally widening range.
In science and art, too, how great are the tri.
umphs represented by the names Of last years
dead! With Bonpland comes up the still living
name Of Humboldt, and cosmopolitan philoso-
ply opens to the view. How many secrets Of
nature have they unravelled. How great an
impulse have they given to the spirit Of inquiry
among men. How many fond superstition
have they overthrow In their own way, too,
Lablache, Rachel, AIRY Schafer, Alexis Soyer,
Ida Pfeifer and Robert Owen represent the
worlds advance in social Development The
intellectual and the material schools are repre-
sented side by side, and each name calls up
long list of achievements, each accompanied by
its own partial failure, to teach and to stimulate
men.
Nor Is the list barren in lis lessons of our own
national growth. With Benton we are reminded
of that second race OF giant intellects which
may be called the expounders Of our po-
litical system, and few Of which now re-
main among us. Quitman and Fersifer
smith represent the union Of the civil
and military spirit that characterizes us as a
nation, and which makes our citizen soldiers as
ready upon the field Of battle when our enemy
calls as they are in the forum or amid
the scenes Of every varying life. Larkin.
the first chroniclcr Of gold discoveries
in California, Is the representative Of our
pioneer spirit ever curious and ready to compre-
hcnd. Newton claims kindred with our rncchan-
cal Development, and leads in the construction
Of our river palaces. A hundred other names
win be found in the list, each having az ie-
climate claim to some representative charac-
ter as those we have mentioned but the limits
OF an editorial review renders II impossible for
us TO name them. They have all done their
work In life, and will receive their award from
their fellow men Each has made his impress in
some quarter, that viii 90 on developing the
work they have begun, while they, called to a
higher sphere, will meet an All-wise judgment at
q bar to which we must all come.
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