The eastern clarion. [volume] (Paulding, Miss.) 1837-1863, 1858-11-20

nave been fOund III the 'front.' rank OF thOSo
, brave spirits who threw the tea overheard
at Boston, and then would have been found
battling side by side with their boldest
men in defence of principle.
The history Of the hard and efficient ser
vice rendered by this tried soldier and ex-
perienced commander in this entire cam
palgn, Is before the country, whose unani-
nous verdict long since given, is but re-
echo ct the high testimonials aiv~n by
Gen. Butler at the storming OF MoIerey.
! When the last hard battle was fought.
/ when our army had taken possession of.
and fortified itself within the walls of the
| Capitaf OF the enemy's country, and il be-
| came necessary in the occupancy of the
| city by military force, by a government
| involving military, judicial and civil iuris-
| dlctlon, to select and place at the head of
| city government, some one who should adj
minister justice and protect the citizens
! in their persons and property-when the
| exigency Of the occasion seemed to call
for man who blended the qualities of
| the soldier with those of the statesman
a man, sagacious, intrepid, prudent and
wise, and above all, answering in recti-
tude OF principle, and prompt in the exc
cutlon of right, this highly responsible and
honorable station was assigned to Quit
man. The zeal, fidelity, diligence and
ability with which he acquitted himself
upon this occasion, proved him equal TO
the complicated, diversified, and delicate
duties of the station.
But not only do we see in the character
otGen Quitman, as a stateman and hero.
that peculiar aptitude of mind and those
endowments which assign to him a supe-
rlor place in the stirring events connected
with the history of the times, but our ad-
ofa,f ffx.N, - 11-..l l.
moral qualities which present him to our
mind as the finished character, the high
toned gentleman, the urbane citizen, the
charitable friend, the confding compan-
ION, and the unpretending philanthropist.
Ills heart was always full of an expansive
| benevolencc." Throughout his life this
| TRAIT was strikingy manifested in his ar
| dent desire for the success of poor younp
men, who like himself, were compelled to
draw upon the resources of their own
minds and their own energies in making
Their way to fortune and position. 1t was
laVorlte theory OF his, that in this wide
| spreading nation, were thrown across. the
path ofthe youthful aspirant. motives and
incentives 10 both mental and corporeaI
action, stronger and more lasting than the
| world ever witnessed elsewhere or before.
1t was also matter Of gratitude with him
through life, that the power of rising to
distinction and holding an enviable posi-
ton IN the estimation of his country was
not confined to the sons of the rich, veal
thy and honorable, but was brought with
IN the grasp of every one who resolved to
make himself great by his deeds of use
iulness. And in the example presented in
the life of this great and good man, let
every admiring youth stand admonished
Of the fact, that if he desires to stand like
Quitman did in his day-the unspotted
citizen, the pure stateman, the successful
advocate, and profound jurist, ready and
fitted in any and every emergency for the
demand made-he must not be drone-
he must not fold his arms in ease and dream
OF pleasure, but must put forth effort COM
mensurate with the end to be secured
Let hum learn that while there is honor
ahead for all, still no one can attain it who
does not live for it. The institutions of tho
country may be Notwithstanding NAV be
handed out on every hill, without money
and without price, the demand for the
learned professions may be increased ten
fold, and still without action, no station of
| honor or emolument in the church or state.
can ever be reached by any one without
corresponding effort.
| Quitman was man of principIe-yes, a
man OF proud, unyielding principle. He
knew not how TO act the part Of the dem
agogue. His soul of honor and of chival-
| ry, no considerations of policy or expedi-
ency, no prospects of advantage however
seductive, or danger however alarming,
| were able to shake from the infexibility of
its purpose, or from the support and pur-
suit of the right. When in the develop
ments of his country he felt that he was
! called to take his position, either as a pri-
| vate citizen or public functionaTy, he did
not wait to see where the popular breeze
was blowing; with what distinguished
names he would be associated. and what
would be the final result after the verdict
Of the nation had been passed.. No, his
noble soul was made of sterner stuff than
this. The only question to be settled in
his mind was what is right, what position
IS assigned by the prosperity and the con-
stituhon OF my country, and wherever, in
ms judgment, this was to be found, there
stood recorded the name of John A. Quit
man though it had to stand alone and
that too, in direct antagonism with the
name Of every other man. The approval
| of his own Judgment, and the proud con-
scientiousness of having acted according
/ | ly, were worth more to him than all the
: | honors a nation could confer.
p As | see before me to-day number of
, | the Masonic fraternity, ii may not be amiss
! | to call attention to the fact, that Quitman
, | for many years of his life was a devoted
| Mason Like George Washington, the
father of his country, and the brave war
rior and host OF others, who to-day live
! in the grateful recollections of their coun-
: trymen on account of services rendered,
he esteemed it high privilege and an hon.
, or to be called a Mason. He was Mason
in deed and not in word only. Before his
! death he had attained to the 33d degree
: in Masonry, and he held the honorable and
+ responsible position of Grand Master of
the State for y consecutive wears, fact
: unknown elsewhere in the history of the
!, Institution. He was.a Mason on princi.
9 pie. He professed admiration for the
q tenets of the Order under a firm convic.
. hon of their tendency to expedite mans
4, elevation in the scale of social being, and
y to make easy and happy his transition
from the limits of time to the Grand Lodge
: of the Universe where the King of King
4 and Lord of Lords himselfpresides. Ther
let the foul tongue of SANDER and the fptiC
!, breath of detraction and vituperatior
af wherever raised against our noble fraterni
;, ty, learn to be silent and fall powerless be
% fore a recollection of the fact that JOIN
:. | A. Quitman was its patron-that his ele
.d waited rank, his conspicuous station, he'll
II when living in the various and high off
IL ces of the Masonic household, the man
rs important services he rendered by hi
talents and virtues, by his active labor
T., and personal sacrifices, entitle him to th
~ full need of Masonic gratitude and Iov
" everywhere. Yes, am proud to saw !,
=. day he was an ardent, consistent. steadfa,
y Mason. He brought the energy of h
=, gifted mind, the patronage of his immac,
-. late reputation and the weight of his ne
a sonal character as a willing Offering to n
AZ altar ot treemasonry. He has been h,
aeVoted patron through the various yici
81 siIudes which have marked the history
,e. the institution for the last 35 wears. T
,lv WAS the same untiinching advocate whet
est eF IN the midst of the dark rolling torrer
mis- oi uhuef the peaceful sunbeanls of He
on ven. lie was not a silent advocate of q,
M NOBLE principles. 1t was his fortune ,
no several occasions during life, to rive d
lin passionate and faithful exhibition Of the
.ce principles, IN that chaste and captiyatiI
An style, that graceful and easy diction. tb
IN torcible and earnest Language which usu
eat Iy marks the productions of his pen. T
ate services should be esteemed a rich leca
,ep | TO our fraternity, coming as they do. fro
ar an accomplished mind, ripe scholar a
he. an intelligent Mason, and they will G,
fiji meet ms name and his memory with VIII
his ever Is esteemed as dear and hallowad
far- our recolleetions of his amiable virtuas :
on personal endowments-and when the orr
nle grass shall long have mantled his ora
ers and the high places of honor, and eleva
mn. walks OF life, which have known hin,
earth shall have forgotten that there .
~ hYed such man, there is one spot VIII
,aso ,m his memory shall not perish under
~ triumph of the grave. In the Masc
'ii ;aid heart he will be held in undyinr rem,
'EiH Esa brance with the immortality Of the af
me tions. ''o -
~ have now done. | have but spol
tb;s the honest sentiments of my own heart
,anS .nl For many years have marked with
!, " mlTatlon the man whose life l have
= orS - ieebly and imperfectly eulogised to-day
;' "ns' | loved him for his principles--on this
mo mo count love him still.
Ny countrymen, while we pay this II
= el =! ute OF respect to the departed statesnl'
rea' while we admire the fallen hero, lei US
= 10 forget to initiate his virtues. The husosi;
lhe father, friend, soldier, statesman car :
ehce serve no higher eulogy than tins thte :
ana department through life resembles ti~'
rage .J0HN A OuIrNAN.