The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-07-29

Gen. Qalexnan.

The New York Tribune published the
following epitome Of the history OF Gen.
QUIrNAN:
Gen. John A. Qutman. We are apprised
by telegraph, lay dying yesterday at
Natchez, and is doubtless numbered ere this
with the dead. He was brave, frank,
honest, high.miuded statesman, in whom,
though as wrong headed as could be, the
country loses noble and true man.
John A. Quitman was born about sixty
years ago, in Duchess County, n. Y..where
bis father was the pastor OF Dutch Re.
form Church. Slavery existed 10 our State
throughout his childhood and youth, and
was one Of the peculiar Institutions Of his
paternal home 80 that we have heard Zen.
q. remark that he never lived in any other
than Slave State. lie migrated in early
manhood 10 the South, and became Mis-.
sissippi planter. He joined in the general
support Of Gen. jackson for President, but
abandoned him with Mr.. Calhoun, and was
for years known as State Rights Whig.'
As such, he supported Gen. Harrison Tor
President in 1910, and we think was once
a Wbig candidate for Congress, or Govern
or, or both. When MIR. Calhoun returned
TO the Democracy, he was accompanied or
soon followed by Gen. Qutman. The latter
shrunk, however, from following bis party
into the gulf Of Reputation. and was run
for high post on the Bond-paying Demo.
cratic ticket, viii h had few supporters.
But though thus repeatedly defeated as u
candidate sor public Office Mr.. Qatman was
steadily growing in the esteem and conf
dcnce of his fellow-citizens.
In 1856, he volunteered for the Mexi.
can War, and was appointed by President
Polk Major General. In this capacity he
was prominently engaged in most or all of
the sanguinary actions which Immediately
preceded the capture of the Mexican capital,
Of which, ON its surrender, he was made
Governor. Though widely differing 10 their
political views, he loved and honored his su.
pcrior, Gen. Scott, in whom his confidence
was fully reciprocated. In the ranks OF the
political Generals who intrigued to deprive
Gen Scott of his command and to tarnish
his proud laurels, Gen. Qutman was not
found.
Returning to Mississippi. Gen. Quitman
devoted his time to his family, bis plania-
ton, and the construction OF railroad, un.
til nominated for Congress in 1888, when,
after spirited canvass he was elected by
about two thousand majority full party
vote and something more. Repairing duly
to Washington, he though new member,
and one of the most ultra Nebraska men,
was designated by Speaker Banks, whose
election be had opposed to the last, for the
important post OF Chairman OF the Com.
mittee on Military Affairs, post of which
he discharged the duties with eminent abill'
". lie was reelected last fall without OPP.
position, and Of course cont nued by Speak
or Orr in the post assigned him by apOliti-
cal antagonist. Ills death OF course vacates
seat in the House and the Craftsmanship OF
the Committee. Gen. Qaitman was but
moderately fluent ~ u debater, but always
spoke tersely and to the point. lie was the
foremost man in Congress OF the " Fire-eat-
ers," or Chivalry,"-o who did not need
to fight dues to establish his reputation for
courage-quiet and unassuming in manner,
universally esteemed by those who knew
him, and the fittest man Of his school for
the Presidency. Unlike majority Of the
DISCLAIMERS for slavery, in Congress, he really
believed 10 it, and hence did not find it neces.
sary to make half so much noise about it az
some others. Ills death leaves void that
will not soon be filled.
The Cincinnati Commercial has the an
nexcd notice Of Gen. Qaltman:
In person. Gen. Quitmsn was rather be
low e medium slze, and slight. But he
was well proportional, and his manner was
winning in its curious and happy combina-
ton OF personal modes,y and u military air
aud carriage that were habItual. lie wore
his beard and though the use OF the razor
was ignored that OF the scissors was not, for
his hirsute ornaments were not allowed To
become struggling AID wild. The Old hero
was too true man to cultivate an advent.
tious appearance Of ferocity. His hair was
as white as wool, and gave his presence a
venerableness, that when you looked into
his calm eye and upon his urrowcd brow,
that looked "a il 1t we're iron, was highly
impressive. His voice was weak, thin aud
harsh, and hence he was not endowed by
nature for debater in the American House
Of Representatives. But when be spoke, he
always had something TO say. and said 1t
tersely and well, and was listened TO with
marked attention. lie was, VIC believe, a
native OF New York. The feeling Of sorrow
at lis death will be universal among bis
couBtrymeD.