The Nevada journal., 1860-06-22
FUNERAL DISCOURSE.
BY REV. BENJAMIN BRIEFLY.

Fclloto Citizens A good man has fallen. In
the noon day of life valuable citizen has been
taken from you. Not by the ordinary wastings
of disease did he die, but, by the weapons of
savage foes. Impelled by impulses, such as the
generous only feel when the cry for help came
from feeble and exposed community he promptly
responded to it, and sacrificed his own life in the
noble effort to save the lives of others.
A stranger to him, and, meeting him here to-
day for the first time, as he lies coffined before
me, I have, nevertheless, learned to cherish
spect and affection for his memory. The general
expression of grief which marked every coun-
tenance, and the oft repeated uttcrances of re-
spect for has character and regret for his DEATH
which saw and heard through this entire COM
naunity, when It told in our streets that
HEsRY MEREDITH was among the slain, taught
me that he was no ordinary man. Such hearty
and spontaneous tribute is only paid by people
20 real excellence.
81. Had known him, as many of you know him,
Il would give pleasure to speak of the salient
traits Of his character, and urge especially upon
the young men before me, the duty and advant
age of initiating all that was manly and noble
in his heart and life.
Ihave been able to CLEAN only few facts from
his history, and, after briefly noticing them, will
ASK your RttentOn 70 some thoughts Wnlcn the
scene before us naturally suggests.
From 4 published article, written by one who
knew him we'll, and from other sources, learn
that he was a native of Virginia. He was born
In that State in 1925. At an early age he lost
his father, and, for short period subsequent to
this, he remained with his mother woman who,
by the excellence of her religious character, her
native ability, and intelligence, was admirably
fitted for the responsible duties imposed upon
h.r hrt tha daoth of harh h,,sh loo
bone he became a resident in the family of his
uncle, DR.. Clarkson, of Missouri, and upon COM
Ileating his preparatory studies, entered the
college of Columbia. After graduating be re
turned to Virginia, and entered upon the study
of law-frst, in the office of Judge J. Scott,
and afterwards in that of Samuel Taylor, one of
the ablest lawyers in the State
In the year 1850 he became resident Of this
State, working at first in the mines, then residing
for short time in Sacramento, and becoming a
resident of this city in 1855.
man of true courage and unshripking firm
ness, he was free from that naughty and super
cilious bearing which invariably accompany
cowardice, cloaked with pretensions to bravery.
Though possessed of both natural and acquired
abilities of very high character he ever felt
tho necessity of study and labor, in order to
honor the profession to which he had devoted
himself. His was no dreamy, sensual or indolent
life. How nobly and assduously, with what
frmness of purpose and devotion to his calling
he labored many of you know.
He was a man Of unusual moral excellence
Though endowed with strong passions and warn
generous impulses, his sound judgment and
moral integrity kept him from thoses excesse.
into which so many have fallen. Through life
he remembered the counsels Of his devoted anG
christian mother, and willingly yielded bott
heart and life to their influence. He was not
church member nor can learn that he eve
professed to be christian, but his moral integ
rity was unquestoned and unquestionsble. Tn,
vices Of gaming sensuality and intemperance
which have ruined so many of the brightest in
tellects Of our youthful State, and sent to tn
mad-house er the drunkards grave, scores o
men. who might have worn the highest honors
and done the noblcst service, he Conscientious,
Stunned.
That he was ambitious we admit-but this
no crime--if the ambition is kept within prope
bounds. No man ever achieved much that wa
great or noble without ambition. He only as
cends who tries to climb. The soul Of homo
himself, his ambition honorable, and b
pcorned the evasion aud low trrkery to whic
the unprincipl,d often resort. H coveted hon
ors, Is he had the right to de- but only such q
hecould honorsbly win.
Thss he possessed real nobleness of soul
shown il the circumstances connected with hi
death. But few of those who we're associate
With him in that fatal ARRAY IN which he lost hi
lifa. wii. ever forget his courage, bravery an
sfearlossress Of danger, as displayed on that os
nsion. Prompt to rush forward At the hrst cal
.s{1AA. danger surrounded him, be would nc
SffS 6Ssiife at the cost Of bis honor. One of b
iss. fNA,e ~. ~. irdicstivs Of his S,eetne'