The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-10-12
Ashbel p. Willard.

Ashbel p. Willard.
We announced on the 5th, In the briefest
terms, the sudden death of the Hon. AsHBEL
P. WILLARD, Governor of the State of In.
diana, which transpired at the Winslow
House, in this city, on the evening of the
4th instant. The distinguished public posi-
ton of the deceased, no less than bis attrac-
tive traits of character in private life, rem
der some further notice appropriate at our
hands.
Gov. WILLARD was native OF the State
of New York, and at the time of bis death
was about forty years of age. His educa-
ton was completed at Hamilton College,
whence be graduated with the highest hon.
ors of his class. Choosing the profession of
law, be fitted himself for its practice under
the direction OF an able preceptor, and made
his first location in Kentucky, in l845. The
subsequent year be removed to Indiana
taking up bis residence at New Albany,
where he attained reputation as sound
and successful lawyer.
The ability displayed by Gov. WILLARD
as forensic speaker, in the course Of bis
law practice, added to his genial traits of
character and popular manners, naturally
marked him out for success in politics.
His political career, which began with his
election as representative of Floyd county
in the Legislature of Indiana, has been sue.
cessful. without single reverse. He was
afterwards, in turn, chosen Lieutenant Gov
ernor and Governor of Indiana-which
latter position be held at his death.
Though Gov. WILLARD never filled
National Office, he enjoyed National rep
utation. The presidential canvass of 1856,
which. was holly contested all over the
North, was carried on with a warmth
amounting almost to ferceness in Indiana.
By chance, or for some reason which we
never apprehended, the eyes of the country
seemed to be directed to that State as the
battle-ground of the North, with an eager
ness and anxiety quite disproportioned to
her actual influence in the electoral college.
Added to the presidential excitement. thus
concentrated within the limits of the State,
was the further excitement of guberna.
tional canvass, and 10 which Gov. WILLARD
was the Democratic candidate. Into that
canvass, both in its general and local as
poets, Gov. WILLARD entered with all the
energy of his earnest, enthusiastic nature.
His position, at the head of the State ticket,
united with it the responsibilities of the
canvass, and cast upon him an amount of
labor which few men of the country could
have borne. Indeed, we think the work
performed by Gov. WILLARD 10 that can
vass, in regard either to its quantity o.
quality, has not been exceeded by any poll.
tician of late years, unless we except the
labors of Gov. WISE, in 1855, and of Judge
DOUGLAS, in 1858. That campaign made,
and ruined, him. He achieved success, a
high Office, and an honorable fame; but all
these at the expense of life, which has at
last been paid as a penalty for his over
work.
The distinguishing traits of Gov. VIII
LARD's character, were an energy and will
which were absolutely untiring and ire
sistible. With him. success crowned every
effort. A college-mate Of bis tells US, that,
during his school days, be was never known
TO miss q recitation, nor did be ever rank
second in any class. This youthful ambi-
ton to be first among his fellows, marked
his short manhood, and raised him to the
highest popular Office in the gilt of bis
State; while the prestige of success which
was attached to him, bad already allatted to
him, in the hopes and designs Of his parti-
Fans, still higher honors. This energy and
will, almost superhuman in their strength,
remained with him till his latest hour.
When the mark of death, plainly visible
upon bis brow, compelled bis physician to
wsrn him OF bis approaching end, be re
sponded, +" No, Doctor! I'm not so badly eff
as Won think1 Forward march !" and euit-
inv The action to the word, the heroic man
march, d upright, sith q strong and even
s,ride, into Eternity. There, may be rest
10 pc oe.