Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-10-20
IRA STOUT'S FAREWELL TO HIS


lf rom the Rochester Democrat and American 1
Below we publish letter sent by Ira Stout
TO his mother. tone Of feeling peryades II
that should indicate the writer as a truly peni-
tent man If Ira is such a one, he is sadly be.
hed; II not ne IS one OF the mostimpudent hyp-
ocrltes alive. 1t will be seen that the letter is
dated Tuesday evening, October IL the even.
ing previous TO Irs's abOrtive attempt to com
NIT suicide-and it was probably written with
the expectation on his part that he would be a
corpse by his own act before another day had
fairly dawned. With this preface we print the
letter:
TUESDAY EVENING, Oct. L.
My Beloved Mother: IL knew name higher
and hOlier, it should be yours Receive nv
kindest and most affectienate farewell in this
world, which has indeed been a troubled one In
us. lou have gained some things, mother, but
lost your son. DOn't imagine that blame you.
because l do not / deeply pity others that
thlngS sho1id De IN position so unhappy; but,
as Tor me, am content. L would be pleased to
live, mother for your sake and others not mine.
but, IN the face of all have suffered and would
have 20 pass through, even il nv life were
spared, will you ask me to live? 1 know what
human promise is; L know what human re.olu-
ton can do l am willing to display all the
regard and snectionate judgment possess in
deciding these things, but in doing This 7 am
driven irresistibly to death
In my younger days, mother you did all n
good mother could do to make me great and
good. My first thought Of God and goodness /
learned from you, and the first prayer ever
said, you taught me. My attachment to books
anu anu knoWiedge owe to you; and my qualities
mat may redeem my character are the result
OF your teaching. All my badness and perver
slon snould rest on father and myself. NV be-
loved mother, how good and eminent might
nave been, had done as you taught me- It is
my last regret that die without making any
return for all you have done for me; but there
Is no hope or prospect Of accomplishing this left
me, mother. You will not mourn too much
over 1t, mother; we must all lie down alike in
the dust -
AMI what matters it, whether we die in the
prime and glory of youth, or the weakness of
age Where shall my grave be, mother? Let
II DC where you and Charlie and Frankly can
visit 1t: But You have another son, mother,
the nOhlest and the best. Our happy Charlie
than whom a better son and brother never
a11rned the carth-Will remind you of the one
you have lost. The hopes wrecked in me NAV
be realized in him. He has all the power of
your tall son, without his terrible experience
and unfortunate associations
And now, mother, you will listen to me more
t6an others. Let Inc say, on the authority of
That immortal book called the Bible there is n
better and a brighter world, where peace and
happiness reign eternally. By sincere prayer
and repentance, q true faith in Christ a pure
and holy life, this world of deathless beauty
and perfection may be attained. Though YOU
have lived, mother, an upright, Christian life,
yet with deeper feeling and q purer interest,
believe more strong the inspired truths of the
Bible, and live nearer the Saviour of the world.
This simple belief and prayer will be your sup
port 'and consolation under all troubles and
cheer the bed of death with a hope of happy
Immortality. And when long years have
rolled, mother, and you have passed IRON earth
may you reach that world of love and light.
and enjoy that peace and contentment which
you have not found on earth Receive the
visits and cOunsels Of our learned Christian
friends, Mr.. Bloss, and Others who re among
GOd 3 best and purest children on earth. In
my last writing l have exonerated you and
Charlie from any connection in this terrible af-
faIr, and also stated other expostions as mat
tiers OF defence, judgment and necessity
And now, mother, fare we'll. As my first
looks OF love and hope were turned to you, 81
take my latest love and blessing
. And il there be some happier sphere
w here fadelesS truth, like ours Is dear
IL there be any land of rest
For those who love and ne'er forget
On, Mother mine, all safe and bleSt
Wen meet in that calm region yetD
am yours in death, as in life, mother,
MARION IRA Srour