Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-08-01
From the Washington States aud Union.
DEATH OF . OSEPH GALES.

learn been prepared by his body servant to retire
for the night when he suddenly dropped down, and,
without any apparent bodily pain, went to his eter-
nal rest The departure of his familiar form from
amongst MS though sudden, might have been ex-
pected Death, more than once, had knocked for
him. Paralysis had already unclaimed his body,
and man with less equabilIty of temperament and
vivaeity of intellect would have succumbed years
ago But although the lamp-case, so to speak, had
been shattered the light, until comparatively re-
cent date kept up genial and generous glow.
Mr.. Gales had attained the ronnd age OF sventy-
four, though many doubtless thought HIM over that;
he has been long, Familiarity, and so lovingly
spoken of as "0ld Jo Gales" Probably the death
of no in the District of Columbia could inspire
such a universal harmony of respectful memories.
His genius and his joviallties, the dignity with
which he decorated and sustained his art as jour
naliSt and the hberality by which his nature broke
loose from the trammels of what is called worldly
WISDOM gave him claims upon all who, politically
or personally, encountered him.
At least two generations in this city have been
taught from childhood to mention his name with re-
spect and affection, and the statesmen, publlclsts
and politicians Of the whole country dating from
half century ago 10 our day, have not y acEnowl-
edged his trenchant power buoyant w.t. and elastic
clearness of style but in large degree have sought
their aid and been guided by the sagacity which
their combinations inspired. This was more eSpe-
cialy the case previous to seventy years back,
when the requisites for political writing and the
management Of journal to counsel with leaders
and advise the people, were of less abusive, per-
sonal and ferocouSy fppant nature, than they I'M
fortunately now are
Mr. Gales was a native of England and came to
this country mere child about the year 1892. His
father was bookseller in Sheffield, the proprietor
of the Register of that town, in which paper the
poet James Montgomery, then yonth, made his
first sensation. The Register got both the poet and
the publisher into trouble Its too liberal opinions
drove Mr.. Gales out of England exile into the
more congenal atmosphere of America and sent
Montgomery into the clutches Of the attorney gen.
cral, who prosecuted fined and imprisoned him.
Newspapers ard pen.craft came thus naturally to
young 10. Gales. He came 10 Washington in the
first half of the first decade Of the century, and af
ter novitate in the National IHtellgehcr, under
Harrison Smith, (who started it, soon became edi-
tor and proprietor, and in short time formed that
partnership with Col w. w. Seaton which contin-
ued in uninterrupted unity and fraernal indentiti-
cation until death dissolved it. on Saturday last.
Gales and Seaton," the Brothers Cheryble Of
Journalism
1t would he impossible to follow the various pro-
e>sona details of the active life Of Mr.. Gales; but
IN respect to the memory Of one so familiar to the
wise the poor, and the good, and beloved and re-
spected /" time out of mine" by the whole cOmmu-
nifty, may appropriately reset III this hasty
framework sketch which has lain in our portfolio
for more than n couple Of years. 1t is at once
graphic outline of the respected deceased and just
tribute to his intellect and his nature:
"On entering the door, you find yourself in
lOw-browed, smoke-Staned room, with diScolored
desks and counters. All the appendageS seem old
faShcd even TO the aged clerk who receives YOU
with politeness-alaS! old fashioned too. II YOU
come on business with the PRINCIPAL you will find
yourself ascending narrow and rather gloomy flight
Of stairs Having accomplished the ascent to the
first landing. you pause and enter a door, which
you are told is the editors room. Before table
covered with papers, pamphlets, and manuscripts,
sits 4 venerable looking man with pencil in his
left hand-his right has been paralyzed for
tme-in a thoughtful mood as if celebrating a
leader, OF which but single line is written. No
one can glance at that face and not perceive at
that it is that of remarkable man. The strong
features and firm mouth express benevolcnce ener-
CIV, decision, within short it is face
ticeahle for character than beauty.
with the name Of this gentleman the idea of
the National InteigeRcer is inScparably connected
For long series OF years he has been its conduc-
tor; and though backed by host Of varied talent,
he may truly be called its life and SOUL breathing
his spirit refining and uniting principle
that able journal. His editorials are considered by
leading politicians to he close IN argument, pro-
found in insight finished in execution pure in style
and as refined in thinking they are exquisite IT.
diction As specimens OF pure and perfect English,
they might stand as models. He opposes with his
pen quietly but INCREASINGLY, every measure which
might lead to disruption of the Union In the
defeats Of his party, of which his Journal is the
knowledged exponent, he never admits himself dis
couragcd depressed dismayed, but from every
fall seems to rise, like Anteus with renewed vigOr.
And yet good reader, he has still higher honor
in the hearts of the people about him. The poor
and unfortunate arc more peculiarly his friends
He arrives in Seventh street from his residence in
the country, in the same COSY close carriage which
has made its Journey ththcr daily for the last thirty
fl,atu
and occupant wanting, the horse would doubtless
convey the vehicle in safety and stop from the force
Of habit at the precise hour, before the low-rOofed
building. AS he passes from his carriage to the
Office the passing beggar for ceases to be voci
ferrous, certain is nc of receiving spontaneous
gratuity from him Within he is quite like to be
met with the appeal of a widow, with of those
large families Of orphans who fe:lS certain of
sistance from him. For it is well known in our
city, that this venerable man is troubled with
melancholy cavity in his brain-a fatal cerebral cell,
where acquiSitiveness-iS not! Narrow hearted
and parsimonious people shake their heads omni-
ously and say, that to see man wasting his means
on every body in this way, is enough to make the
very stones cry out, Doing such useless things
and so much, for ether people, he ought to remem-
Der the rainy day."
Such is a suggestive sketch of what Joseph Gales
was; and the facts alluded to in the last paragraph
need no additional establishment in the eyes of a
community in which he so we'll known.
As journalist friend, benefactor and chief magis-
trate of Washington he has left many endearing
and lasting recoectons behind him.
Mr.. Gales was ever an active worker. He had
active brain, and his body need must he alert to
keep up with it. He soon impressed himself on
the minds of statesmen and his paper is enc of the
most valuable mines from which the historical stu
dent or writer dig up the political details of that
early period before reporting Aourished as it now
does or was so widely cultivated or patronized by
the press For many years Mr.. Gales reported the
doings of the House of Representatives and Mr.
Seaton kept like record of the Senate. These re-
| ports are now well known, though very scarce. Of
| many of the most important memorable and ex-
citing scenes in Congress, when Randolph Clay and
| Calhoun were the central champions Mr. Gales was