Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-12-06
The Late John a. rcEweD.

The Late John A. McEwen.
The city ofNashville received. on Saturday
morning, with general sadness. the announce
ment of the death of JOIN A. MCEwEN which
occurred the evening previous at about z
o'clock. We feel at loss for words to ex-
press our own feelings at this truly inscruta-
bic dispensation of Providence In the very
morning of a fresh and vigorous manhood,
possessing brilliant intellect, guided and
controlled by sound and conscientious judg-
nlent, and an inward devotion to morality
and an outward walk of true worth and chris
tian piety, he stood upon the threshold of a
career of substantial usefulness. which few in
deed have before them. and which must have
been as beneficial to his fellOw-men as pleas
ing in the sight of heaven. To us it is indeed
inscrutable, that the heart and head and hand
of such an one, should have been blighted
with the death-chill at the moment of their
highest efficiency and greatest need. But
such is; and it is not for mortals either to
seek the penetralia of the Divine Will, or
complain Of the DEGREES of the supreme and
ultimate court of the Highest. We can only
testify our respect for and commemorate the
virtues of the dead, and submit to the DEGREES
OF the Omnipotent with what of grace and
resignation we may possess-while we may
pour out the libation of our earnest sympathy
npon the broken hearts Of those most nearly
connected and more sorely afflicted by the be-
reavement.
Mr.. MCEwEN was born in Lincoln county in
this State on the 18th November, 1924, and
had just passed his 34th anniversary. His
parents removed to this city at an early day,
and he was brought up and educated here.
Taking broad and thorough primary course
in the schools of the city, he went thence to
the University of Nashville, where he gradual
el with distinguished credit at the age of Is
years. He Immediately became tutor in the
University, and secured alike the love and adj
miration of the students in this new sphere,
as he had done while school companion and
class-mate. A year or two afterwards, he en-
tered upon the study of the law in this city,
and in due course was prepared and admitted
10 the bar. He rapidly rose to eminence, and
for several years past has occupied front
pO-iLiOH, Ut lOI It's JIlluI-
cal ability, dignity and general learning.
But during all his arduous study as a theoreti-
cal and practical lawyer, he never forgot his
earlier attachment to the classics, ancient and
modern and at his dccease was one of the
most thorough and finished scholars of his
age in the country.
Neither did he neglect the current literature
of the day, nor the progress OF the sciences
hut kept up with the advances in both. As if
so make his accomplishments universal, he
devoted proportion of his time to the study
of politics; as a science, however, rather than
ms a means of foisting himself into public
station. OF course talents so splendid and
attachments so varied, could not rust for want
of use. He was always in action. In 1872
he edited, with great success and ability, the
Daily Gazette of this city-and it is no dis
arrangement to its previous or subsequent con-
ductors to say that his editorial management
of that paper has not been surpassed. During
q portion of the time he was thus engaged,
he was at the same time, district elector, on
the presidential ticket in the canvass of 1852,
besides his law practice. His brilliant oratOry
brought him opportunities from various col
leges and committees for speeches and ora
tions, with many of which he complied.
When the new buildings for the University of
Nashville were about to be erected, the Trus-
tees selected him as the orator on the occasion
of the laying of the corner stone of the new
edifice, in which capacity he made a perma-
nent contribution to our Literature.
Subsequently he delivered an address to the
Literary Societies of Union University, the
subject of which was the Drama of Life"
and still later, he was called upon in a similar
capacity by Cumberland University Mt Leb-
anon. which resulted in his last most elegant
and philosophical production, the % Reform of
Social Ranks" which we were happy to lay
before our readers in full, but a few weeks
ago. On the establishment of the Southern
Commercial College, he was selected TO gives
course of lectures to the students of that in
s.itution on Mercantile and general CONNER
cial law, which he did with eminent ability
and success. He was next elected Mayor of
Nashville. which Office he filed with all the
energy his now failing constitution allowed
lie was forced, before the expiration of his
term, to measurably vacate the Office, in ira
yelling for his health.
In the multiplicity of all his labors, he ne
yer forgot the claims of religion, and having |
early connected himself with the first Pre- |
byterian Church of this city, he was pune
tual in his attendance and devout in his SER |
vices at the altar of Christianity; and for
many years, labored in that fruitful vineyard |
O, the Church, the Sabbath School. This
b.ief sketch of his life will show something
of the character of man he was, and what he
did and was capable of doing. His entire life
was round of incessant toll
Though il seem almost impossible his So
cial traits and aptitudes were quite as promi- |
nent and active as any other of his charac- |
teristics He cultivated his convivial pow
ers, naturally great, rs a pastime and |
recreation. yet making them the ligature |
OF a friendship, which with him, was al |
ways undertaking and true, and sometimes |
almost passionate. His manner was ever pO-
lite, genial, and amable and invariably won
the respect and warm esteem of all his ac-
quaintance. We shall not soon look upon his |
like again His death may justly be regard
ed as a great loss, not only to the large and
a.lmiring circle of his Immediate friends, but
to the city and State. We yield him, only as
we yield to the inevitable demands of a fixed
. ID relentless Fate.