The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1858-02-03

WHAT HE wAs.-Perhaps we knew
him personally? lived in the same house
with him; had an opportunity OF holding
frequent controversy with him; to enjoy
his counsel; TO learn and truly appreciate
his worth and friendship.
He was so unasuming in his denieanor
and sounobtrus;ye in his ii,timacles that
but few who were not familiar with him
in every day life could fully appreciate
his sterling merits. But, though natural
" ola reserved manner yet the well-spring
of his affections was by no means dried
up. Always kind and considerate in the
expression of his opinions, and merci-
full in his judgments, always tolerant in
his discussions, he would participate in
the stormy scenes of political or financial
excitement without himself becoming ex-
cited or his pas SONS infaned.
He adhered faithfully to his own con-
victions, yet without denunciation of his
opponents; and while others on all sides
warmed as the sharp rivalry of contend
ing sentiments PROGRESSED, he remained
calm and serene. Aside from our own
acquaintance with him we have heard him
favorably spoken of by those who have
previously known him. He has always
been spoken of in terms of admiration and
esteem. He vas always friend to the
poor-their frequent coun elor, and gen.
er5us col t":butor. He had few enemies
for he tresspassed on no mans right and
warred with no mans preferences, but
| faithfully endcavoring to perform his du-
tics in either public CT private life that his
concience dictated-he wished all others
to be equally free to be guided by the
| same influence. In short he seemed to
be a model for a MAN well worthy to be
initiated. Such perhaps has been the
character of some one we have known.
He may now be alive shedding his light
around upon those with whom he associ-
ates, or he may be in public life laboring
| for the welfare of mankind and for the be-
loved institutions of his own country. 1t
matters not who or where he may be, if
we will but pattern after his virtues and
when we consider his character try to ell
cvate ours to it. But unless we do make
practical use of the example he has giAen
us for our own improvement, and earnest
y endeavor to live like him, and die Ike
him, it is but proftless that we have ever
known such man. We are frequently
called to crowd around the open grave,
and hear the hollow, mournful sound of
the clod falling upon the coffin covering
forever from our sight one whom we have
loved. These things ought to admonish
us, that we soon shall follow, that soon ere
we are aware the gates of life shall close
behind us and forever debar us from an
opportunity to repent of our deeds. Then
let us live so that we shall not gladly lie for
gotten. when our decaying bodies shall
have returned to dust and the mourning
willow in the graveyard droops its boughs
over our "final resting place." but may
we SO live that we shall never die in the
memory of those who have known us.
There, whom we are compelled to join, as
we sooner OF later must join
--''"he innumerable caravan, that moves
To thai mysterious realm. here each shall take
His chamber in the silent halls of DEATH
we can leave the world better for our hay
ing lived in it, and with confidence and
faith, go down into ''the dark valley and
shadow of death rejoicing.