The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-04-01
Biographical Sketch of Lowndes,

Biographical Sketch of Lowndes.
The following sketcllsofa lamented states
man of this State, William Lowndes, is from
the unconstitutional History of tho United
States by William A. Cooke, Esq:
1t IS proper that n passing notice should
be taken of the doa h of distinguished men,
whose memory it should be the duty and
delight of posteritv TO notice and cherish.
Under these feelings advert TO the death
OF w 'll1am howndes, representative from
the State OF South Carolina. lie was, con
struct've'y, member Of the House ut the
time OF his death, his resignation on account
OF i'll health not having reached the Execu
tive OF the State at the time of its occur
ance. His colleague, James Hamilton, jr,
announced the melancholy intelligence
he paid rich and glowing tribute to his
talents as statesman, and his virtue and
integrity rs man, in all the relations OF
HE: lie had served for ten years in the
House of Representatives, where he hal
won an exalted reputation as a statesman,
and endearcl himsclfioEthc members with
whom he had served, by spo!less honor and
lncorruptihle integrity. After Hamilton
had finished his few remarks, VIM. S. Ar
cher, of Virginia, himself universally reSpec.
fed for bis talents and learning, to which
he united public character not only unre-
proachablc, but beyond the slightest breath
OF ca'nmny or slander, offered to the memo
ry OF his friend and companion one of the
truest and most philosophic tributes ever
paid the character of departed worth and
honor, in which he said; "ranegyric on
thls occasion, was, indeed, rendered unnec-
essary by the settled feeling and opinion of
this country in relation to Mr. Lowndes.
lie had been for a considerable time con
spicuously before the public. a part of that
time comprehendng avery trying period
OF our history, and thef judgement of the
public had been awarded in relation to him.
lie was already ranked with the eminen,
names which had passed by and consecra.
ted to national respect. He was already
ranked as man superior in worth, as he
was IN mind as one of the purest and n.
blest, and most faithful Of the statesmen who
might claim from our country the need of
honor, as combining large share of the
hiShets titles to man.dcfclcnce and csti-
nation, talent and public service, and virtue"
Archer continued fora while his culory on
Lowndes, free from excessive na,tery, and
repulsive laudation Of Congressman. at MI
times too common among public men, but
remarkable as a beautiful, ethical discourse,
in which the high moral character of
Lowndes is presentedin the thought and
style OF man, the bright and I"as exam.
pic of the truth of every wore, he spoke. |
After which the usual resolution for adjourn
ment was passed, amidst universal grief
and gloom, that hovered over the scene of
the former brilliant achievements of the de-
ceased. H S255as
Lowndes was one Of. hat galaxy of bril-
liant young men whichrepresented the Pal
metto State at the beginning of the war of
lsl2-Calhoun, Cheyes, Lowndes-and
in the language of a scotemporary, the lat
ter was considered the brightest Of the con.
stellation. Whenevers5he addressed the
chair, the members, quitting their. seats,
clustered around him. ,Ffors he spoke with |
persuasive eloquencc, and received the at
tention of confidence. He had received an
extensive education, and being a man of !
wealth, he had assiduouslv cultivated |
taste for learning in it's. various attractive
forms, and in perfecting his education as |
also UCCdillc Il man OF science |
and literature. lie was of The democratic |
school, as understood IN his day, and was
early and favorahly spoken of as a candi
date for the Presidency; and it was a posi-
ton to be cherished based as it was upon
public choice, free from caucus machinery
and intrigue, from which his proud and lof-
ty spirit would have shrunk for when nom
mated by The Legislature of Iris native State,
for the election which was to occur in e24. |
he truthfuly and beautifully expressed his
feelings-"That the Presidency was an Of
Ace neither to be sought nor declned."-
a sentence SO true, SO just and philosophic
should not only be insthe mind of every
statesman, and repeatedsin every national
convention, but sbonldsbc written in A.
nerican history as check to intrigue, CHI
eanery and corruption, which may vet be
the destroying spirit ofsour political organ-
zation. Lowndes diedat ansearly age Cor
one who had filed soIasge space in pub.
}c estimation, having trsasbed: only his for
tY-ScCOUd wear. ~ -~'.