Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-07-03
The GAZETTE.
paDarls of Robert 6. Thrift, esq,
.:SNtaTEs o. lH0o5r7 =.
.yjLs Urrti,tg Of tie Dor IN washington,

death Of our esteemed brother, WILLIAM |.
Sv,>>x, ESD. You have tor some days
known this professional loss. aud shared me
au regret and bereavement which II mas
rapsna The occasion which has brought
rs together, is iull Of melancholy interest,
+ j. not that il is new: t"r the annals Vi
r,a,a are crowded with memorials 81 tHe
dead. with rcpetitonS OF sorrows WnltA
j.now 20 end: and with renewals OF anguish
which continually lind utterance upon me
tenarture Of TIE good, the wise ara tAe
treat. Il is not that there Is even any thlh@
unusual in the present event or oesloc the
General course OF human experience; lof
when mas the time been, III Whlct youth
and manhood have not dropped into the
.raye. in eli the pride Of their power, amt
he attiuence Of their hopes we nave
.,ran the aged linger on 70 the last syllable
-: their recorded time: ami we have seen
the bud Of beauty nipped and withered. in
The first iain5 bushes OF lis dawn. These
are common events; 80 common ln0eed, tlal
thew scarcely attract more than transient
notice: and 50 that they strike not WITHIN
oar own immediate circle OF trends, we gaze
~! them Tor Il moment with Suhdued Thought
iuluess. and then pass on to our accustomed
duties: We return to our homes, and the sad
ness has passed away from our hearts.
But the day Of our visitation Is arrived:
Death has again entered in our professional
circle and >rruc. down one Of its choicest
olna,uents and supports. We are gathered
nert today in this hall, a his professional
brethren, to devote ii bret space TO the re-
collection Of his character and virtues.
Silently sadly, aud with noiseiess tread, a
lone stream Of mourners have passed around
the bier. each taking one long lingering look
dawn its narrow confines, al the features on
which
Gold 2bstructinnS apathy now rests.
gal 10 the silent. lonely, solemn precincts OF
,ha tomb, those rcrishable relcts have been
consigned, 10 rest until that hour When--~
The trumpct shall be heard on h2h
The dead snail l:ye-~thr living die.
But it is the melancholy pleasure Of the
,nd;cia! and forensic brotherhood, to hrSt"W
uoon those Of the membership whose trans
readant ability and pralSeworthy virtues
have ennohled the profession. or preserved
Its high character untarnlShe't. "retordoo
honors" when the final ia:e OF man closes
.hcr earthly career
Each member OF this bar enjoyed both
.arscnal and official acquaintance wlth Mr.
Swami. which would make dellneatlun ot
his character unnecessary. with vie" 10
authenticate 4 claim of the bar Tor official
rasncct. You knew him well; he enjoyed
vour apnreciation and felt its honor. A.
~. merits we're Yeal-his friends disdaln
fna least exuggeratrn Of aulcgy.
The highest tribunals Of this District, are
known 10 fame lay the professional! ability 81
the eminent men who have served upon It's
bench, Or at It's bar: men oi NATIONAL 'ci"-
britv which challenge comparison III Judi
eial aud forensic accomplishment and force,
4one IF whum still live Soiue 81 waom have,
long sinra iu5 al honors, Comet" thtlr lima!
rr>c--ye5
s..ncy live in glory aud their speaking; lnst.
nts more u. liz: taan halt lis breathing mo"ii.
Men whose brilliant intciiects lave illn-
mined the protounde,.t depths OF the common
law. aud shed lustrc upon the benign prln-
..pics Of equity. and moulded them 10 meet
he wants OF progressive aud enlightened
civilization.
Standing upon the stage they trod, with
traIition oi their towering abilities yet I'M
!,,o,d, there il 40 disposition TO ohtrude into
that galaxy Of departed worthless lesser
Light, Providence did not cndow as one al
those, our brother, recently deceased, tor
one star dilicreth from another in glory,
Ills mental power and legal att4inm"ntS
,roul0 Justify Il comparison with suon probes
~ioual celebrities, and his native intellect,
professional skill, and knowledge, were sril-
Gent to class him among Tie select few oi Il
large brotherhood. and justify the SINCERE re-
>prct and excite the competition Oh the abIc~t.
His mind WAS penetrating IN ITS insight
L.. Il. .41lr