Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-11-26

1u6I anu nEuy uaue Dy
gentlemen of both political parties on the
ent of his death before the two houses of the Lee
EislGture, so fully and truthfully deIineated his
character as to leave but little be said in his
praise.
The position which he had occupied for the last
twenty years, with but brief interruptions, as the
principal editor of leading Democratic papers in
Tennessee had kept him prominently before the
pnblc AZ any other man in the State. No one was,
perhaps more generally known, personally and by
reputation, to the people of Tennessee It would be
useless, therefore, for to dwell upon his talents
his virtues and his usefslness in the various rela
risns of lite in which he had been engaged His
praise is upon the lips of of every class, pro-
fession and pursuasion. Our own estimate of his
oharater or grief over his sad death, cannot be
pressed in words.
On reaching the city the morning after the
tragic death of Mr.. PORDExTRR, we found our asso-
clkte Mr.. EASTMAN, in the greatest distress We en-
deavored relieve him far possible of the sad
duties connected with the remains of our deceased
brother, and were grstifed to find that it greatly
hghtened the burden that weighing upon his
aPirits and we parted from him Tuesday, to ac-
company the body of Mr.. PoNDExTER TO the place
of its final interment at Clarksville expecting that
he would be able to meet the accommodating respOn-
sibties the sole editor of tins paper. BUTT was
decreed that we should not shed the last tear of af
fiction and sorrow one friend before we should
be Summoned by the telegraph to engage in the
same sad offices the remains of the other.
Maj. EASTMAN was descended from family highly
honorable in the history of his native State; distiD
suished for their general intelligence, patriotism
and high moral worth. He was the son o: TIMOTHY
and ABIGAIL EASTMAN, the former of whom still
lives to deplore his unexpected loss The deceased
was in his forty. seventh year.
Having been the inhereitor to fortune, and de-
pendent upon his own sxertons, he was in early
life apprenticed to the printing business profess
sion of which he was always proud, and the MEM
bsrs Of which be always recognized with fraternal
feeling. Having gone to Washington soon after he
Rad passed the threshold of manhood JAMES K Polk,
whose estimate of men was seldom at fault discoT-
cred in him those evidences of intellect and charsc
Ser which have since won for him golden opinions
with ali hOserable men. Impressed with his ster-
aing qualities and capacity for usefulness Mr.. Polk
EnvIbed him to Tennessee in 1889, and, under the
auspices of that distinguished man in that year he
moved with his family to Knoxville and established
the Knoxville Argus, the publication of which he
dS lHt luOSl path VI
torial career He eYinced a talent for newspaper
discussion of high order. and from that time eonn-
ned the leading Democratic editor in East Tennessee
until Col Polk was elected President; when, to
better his pecuniary condition, he accepted Office
at Washington which he filled with credit and salts
faction His services were soon needed, however,
At Nashville and he was called by the leading DEM
ocrats of the State to take charge of the Nashville
Union, since which time lis history is fresh in the
mind of every one.
During the spirited contests Of lS39-'4i-'13 and
"a be bscame celebrated for the terseness and pun
ssney Of his style and a writer of vigorous and
spirited paragraphs. Strong in all respects as an
editor in this rare Quality he had few sUperiOrs,
and perhaps never equal in Tennessee. But his
principal forte as an editor was his excellent judg
1ent in determining the course and policy of his
paper. His fame will not suffer in comparison with
the most gifted of his profession. For some years
past his labors have been so divided that he was
emily assistant to the editorial duties of this paper
and was therefore felt to the full Of his
ability in this department But for his sad DEATH
his entire time and talent would again have boon de-
voted to editorial duties.
His talents and usefulness not confined to
politics He was the ardent earnest working friend
Of Agriculture and the Mechanic arts. His cola
SOrers in the leading industrial pursuits speak of his
efforts in the highest terms of commentator His
reports suggestions, and papers On these topics
Pabe property and held in high esteem by those
whose interests he thus lsbored to advance. In
deavOring TO advance the Of education and all
the public enterprises Of the city, be had been equally
jealous lie loved TO labSr for the public, and was
proud in believing that his iabOPs appreciated
He was a man of great candor, fairness aud sin
eeFty His political principles matters Of
seispse With him. His democracy was of a charac-
er that many would call ultra He believed in a
plain and republican government and WAS Jealous
in guarding the rights and interests of the people
He had an unbounded sympathy with the masses,
and would favor nothing that be thought might ope
rate to their prejudice
He was remarkable for his eVenness Of temper and
disposition. We can say Of him. what we could say
Of no one else whom we have known long, that
we never knew him positively angry. We have
seen him provoked and annoyed, but it never /
PSsehed the point of positive anger. He had his
dislikes, but incapable Of malice. As friend
he was kind eonfiding, AMI ever true.
In his domestic reations-as husband and father |
words cannot express his tenderness. He APP
when surrounded BY bis wife and doting chill |
drea. There conferred ah his pride and all his |
hopes.
For many years poverty sat heavily upon him, |
snd though at times it depressed him bayond pa
tent endurance it never married the gentieness
Of his disposition But recently he had begun 10
discern the sunlight of prosperity and to cheer him
self with the hope of gathering around him a COM
~. Ill, f1,sl,
pleasure he expressed at the thought of owning for
Che first time house that he could call Lis own. But
alas, he was cut off before the entire consumma-
ton Of his wishes The wife that has so long shar
sd with him the trials of life and his nine helpless
little children thrown upon the world deprived
Of his protection and his counsel. Nay they find
fathers in the hearts Of all those for whom it has
been so oftea his pleasure to perform offices of
kindness.
His death has cast gloom throughout the State,
but nowhere can it be keenly felt in the COM
Euunity in which he died Upon every hand trib-
sites Of admiration and affection have been paid ,
his memory. As 1.-THE crushed flower yields its
sweetest fragrance last the close of the life
q good and noble man calls out those touching .
testimonials to real merit, which lend something
Of sweetness to the bitterness of sorrow itself
Weeks previous, the day of thanksgiving had I
been agreed upon 70 meet around the social board
a the residence Of the writer in Columbia. How :
little thought then that that meeting would be at
his grave. On Monday in his presence. we penped 2
eur last sad tribute to tine memory of our lost !
friend PONDExTKR. And how little thought we that
IN less tnan a week should write at the same IA
be similar tribute to the virtues of him who was
then at our side.
Farewell, most excellent friend, father, husbaRd -
nsigbbor. Adieu, dear, kind, gentle and generous II
partner We will consecrase try memory by striv- e
ing to emulate thy virtues.
OFFICERS OF CONGREss-Lewis Ciephane the See 4
retaoy of the Republican association in Washington,
said 20 be a prominent candidate fer Postmaster
81 the House of Representatives. MIR. GoOdloe, Of