The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1859-11-01
nsat}, of Minister Mason.


;.,re of the death of the American Minis
Ter. at Paris, on the 30th of September
,.at We cannot forego the melancholy
duty Of laying another laurel leaf upon
.ho coffin Of the distinguished dead
Dpa,h at all times is startling, and though
We may be daily witnesses OF the wasting
sres of life, and prognosticate the inevita.
hle determination of disease, still, the
moment the goldeR bowl is broken, the
silver cord loosened, we are awakened
moro truly to the desolateness of our stu
alton. Aud how much more are we
shocked at the Intelligence of the decease
ofourdear ones, whom in the same thought
we associate perfect health with the cold
reality of the sepulchre. So sudden has
this announcement come upon us that it
we're hard for any one to realizeit, still the
melancholy fact leads us to the RETROSPECT
ton Of the deceased life.
JOHN Y. Mason was born in the State
Of Virginia, and graduated at an early
age at the University of North Carolina,
with distinguished honors, and after fin
ishing his collegiate coarse, he returned
TO his native State ard commenced the
study of law. Mr.. Mason became identi-
fed with politics when they were in their
most complicated state-ddriDg the Madi.
son administration-and he arose into
notice as political elere Of the true Jack
sonian type. In those times when it was
adelicate matter for the youthful aspi-
rant for political honors to distinguish
between the bogus and true Democracy
Gf the nation, we fluid that the subject of
this sketch manifested his good Judgment
by pursuing the strict conservative prin.
eiples of the Democratic party. In des.
pite of the demagogues and factionists Of
that day, though his fidelity and capacity
were tried to their utmost margin, be rose
into public esteem and confidence by
those gradua! stages which always mark
the career of the patriot and statesman
For period of years he was a member Of
both branches OF our Federal Legislature,
and his course in those bodies was marked
by a calm and unbiased thougltfulness
on all the agitated questions of the day.
Upon Mr.. Folks accession to the Pres-
dehtial chair, he was appointed Attorney
General, and for the short time which he
performed the duties OF that responsible
trust, be proved himself a distinguished
Judge of law and gave satisfaction to
those who were the best judges in the
premises, but during the same year he
was transferred to tiae head OF the Naval
Department and to his efforts, it conceded
that we are indebted for the early intro
dnction Ct steam into our little Navy. IN
1853 Mr. Mason was appointed Minister
to France by Presjdenf Pierce, and iti
were needless 10 speak Of tie very able
manner in which he has managed our re-
lations with THAT country, as they are, and
will be, . matter OF diplomatic history.
Mr. Mason was a gentleman of the
parcst stamp. Unassuning but digniiied,
cordial without being familiar, aid ar
baae without austerity, he at oncemadc
his way into your heart, and rmlaiaal
there. His plainness and disgust at os.
sen,ation are amply verified in the fact
Of his abolishment, as unbecunlillg q re-
preventative of "a simple aud economical
republic, Of the gaady, be-tinseled Court
dress which our former representatives.
we're wont to wear at the 5ais aiplomatYues, /
IN the TuiIleries. Mr. Mason, in his gen
tlenlaDly black, carried with him the re
Spect aud admiration of all who ap.
preached him at those lerms, and though |
alone in his garb, the halo Of dignity and
esndor with which he surrounded himself
placed him far above the remarks of those
who grid at republican simplicity. We
aeel sure that no American traveller who
has availed himself Of an opportunity to
visit the American Embassy at Paris,
within the LASTLY years, could fail to be
impressed with the generous bon hommic
OF Mr. Mason and his interesting family.
10 those who claimed citizenship with I
mn he offered what is so grateful to the
traveller, rememhranees of our country
and Of home. Indeed, his easy and gen
lily hearty greetings to his .countrymen
we're proverbial, and seriously will he be
missed by many poor American medical
Students, in the Quarter Letau, to whom
he was a friend aud adviser. The Demo.
cratic party has lost in him faithful and