Mountain Democrat., 1858-01-09
xFsm Tie Natio.s IHtsEiigeneer.
49,. a.-.~A.- nwuNr

death Of this geptleman on the 18th of
duly last, were not sufficiently in cXtcn
so to do his memory justice. But
"Can storied urn osGnfmated bust
Rack 70 its mansion call the heeting breath!
Can hOuor's voice provoke the silent dust,
Or nattsry 0OOthe the duh cold ear Of death!
So far from Rattery soothing the dead,
justice to them often offends the living; |
bat surely something is due to those who |
have 6lled distinguished space in the |
public eye, and risen by the force Of their
own genius and talents from Obscurity to |
distinction. 1t is not only due to them,
but It is also due to the rising generation |
as . stimulant to exertiOn.
General Rusk was no ordinary man. -
A son Of an Irish cmigrant, who settled
in South Carolina, and without the ad |
vantage Of fortune, or friends, he cdu-
Gated himself studied law, and ut an ear
ly day married in Georgia and settled in
Texas, then province Of Mexico, and at
the time of her declaration of indcpend-
ence we find him Secretary Of War
Just before the battle Of San Jacinto, and
upon the invasion of Texas by Santa
Anna with 1000 Mexican troops, the
choice of his army, and whilst the bal
ance Of the Texan cabinet fled towards
the sea.shOre for safety, RuSk joined the
army of independence under General
Houston. His presence was hailed with
enthusiasm, as "his voice was still for
war; and, ut the consultation Of officers
previous to the battle, General Houston
observed to RuSk, "You think we must
fight; think so too; "and this led to the
battle of San Jacinto and the Independ.
ence Of Texas. The result of that battle
Is before the world as a matter of history,
but in that battle, one of the most extra
ordinary and glorious OH record, either of
ancient or modern times, General Rusk
commanded the left wing, and, upon the
commander-in.chief being desperately
wounded and taken to the rear, the com.
mand deyolved upon Kusk; and just at
that momentous crisis, upon which hung
the destiny of the nation halt was made,
but Rusk spurring up at the moment, his
loud clarion voice was heard amid the din
Of battle, On boys, on, now or never"
And on they went following him to VIC
tory or death. In this battle, stamped
more with romance than reality, he cap
tured in single combat the most gallant
to, and received his sword.
The battle Of San Jacinto has been COM
pared to the battle of New Orleans. But
in the latter the Americans fought with
intrenchments, and acted on the dcfen-
sivc, only; whereas, in the former, the
Mexicans fought within entrenchmcnts
and on the defensive, and were all cup
tureG or killed.
After the battle and capture of San
t. Anna, such was the torture Of Gener-
al Houston's wound that he found it ne
ceSsary to leave the army and visit New
Orleans for surgical aid; and in his ad-
dress to the army he used this language.
General Rusk is appointed to command
Ahc army for the present. confidc in his
valor, his latriotism, and wisdom. Ills
gallant conduct in the battle Of San ia
cinto was sufficient to seizure your conf
dence and regard. wide History of
Texas.) And such was the unbounded
popularity Of General Rusk that his ap-
pointmcnt was received with acclamation.
Upon the establishment of Texan Inde-
pendcnce, being known as an able lawcr,
he was made the first Chief Justice Of
the Republic, and in that august position
it was his high prerogative to create order
out. Of chaos, aud in that position Of
"'OtiWm cum dignitate" he remained till
annexation, although often solicited to
become candidate for the presidency
He was then elected one Of the first two
United States Senators, and entered on
this new theatre in the 44th year of his
age. Amongst his noble and distinguish
ed compeers he soon attained the front
rank, and was pronounced by one Of them,
Mr.. Webster, as "thc first upon the DEM
ocratic side. " He was not distinguish
cd orator, like Clay, Calhoun, Webster,
Douglas, or many others, but like Wash.
ington, Jefferson, Madison, or Monroe,
he seized upon the strongest points Of the
case and presented them in a manly,
candid, clear, and lucid style, that rarely
failed of success; and was, in this illus
trious body Of great men amongst the
first and universally popular, as he had
always been upon GVcry theatre upon
which he had acted, and took an active
and leading part in oil great national qucs-
tons. He had been three times elected
to the United States Senate, and the last
time unanimously; and was, at the close
of the last session, elected President pro
tenn. of the Senate against his own wish
cs. Few statesmen occupied amore coll
SpicuOus place before the country.
With all the leading and distinguishing
traits of this truly great man, not the
least among them was his mild, retiring,
mcditative, and pacific character. Al
though nn adept with the rifle and pistol,
rendered so by his carly location amidst
the ruthless savages of the western wilds,
and proven so by his exceliing many Of
the best shots in the Union, he has never |
engaged in duel, neither as principal or
second, but had been the mediator i'll ma |
ny q contemplated one. lie was one of
the most hospitable men that ever lived. |
No one in want ever applied to him in
vain. He was friend to the widow and |
orphan, and made it q rule never to charge |
either for any legal advice or services
He was not ambitious. His whole aim
seemed to be to do right and ali the good
he could to every one. He was, too, a
firm believer in the Bible, and read it Of
ten and thoroughly. To the poor he was
an ever constant and warm friend. Many
Q poor person in this city, as in other
places, will miss him, and long remember
with the liveliest feelings Of gratitude
his kindness and unwcarying exertiOns to
help and assist them. During his long
service he never permitted any
one to use his senatorial frank, or to use it
b;uosoJF ovoonf ckr;oflxy in tho dicchorOa |