The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1862-01-31
The Pan of zolliooffer.

itN11 va NAAfi ctil W hhe
State and people that no one during this
war has more largely shared the conf
jence, affection and gratitude of the pop
ular heart throughout Tennessee. than
the lamented hero, whose fall we chroni-
Gle, and of whose character, as man and
soldier, it is our mournful duty to speak
this morning.
Weknew Gen. ZoLIcoFFER well. From
the days Of early boyhood, when he edit
ed this paper, and delighted all the
younger chiyalry by his gallantry Of bear
ing and pluck of conduct, as he did old.
er heads, by his sagacity, as politician,
and integrity as citizen, it has been our
fortune to have met him on terms of ia
miliar and respectful friendship. The
last time we saw him was Just before the
advent of the war. II already lowered
in the distance; but, with ether patriotic
public men, of the border States, he
had visited the Federal Capital, as a
peace maker, still hoping to allay the
rising tempest, and save the country from
impending ruin. His Jealous appeals for
Justice are yet familiar 20 the ears OF
those, to whose cruel heedlessress and
wicked mis-deed, he has fallen victim;
whilst with us, who loved him and list.
ened to him, his sober counsels, eloquent
resistance TO tyrany and fervert devotion
to country and principle, still echo in
our heart of hearts, truest and noblest
dirges over the grave we are babe to dig
for him.
The inscription which his life presents
US for MS tomb, is full of gloFy-full of
consolation.
FELIX K. ZoLLIcoFFER was born on the
10Th of April, 1912, in Maury county,
Tennessee. He was, consequently, in
the hale and hearty meridian of his prime,
as he was in the halo of a useful aiIdd
eventful career, being just in his fiftieth
year. He began life printer boy but
entered, at an early age, the editorial
room, as a journalist. His first newspa-
per connection was at Paris, where, in
1929, he undertook the management Of a
local political press. Five years later
lin 1854 he removed to Columbia, his
native county-seat, and took charge OF
the Observer, from which position he was
elected State Printer, for the terms en-
braced in the years 1885 to 1889. In 1912
he came to Nashville, and was immedi-
ately welcomed to the editorial columns
of the Republican Banner His energy and
ability added largely to the triumph of
the old Wing party at the ensuing cleo
ton, and is familiar to many of our life
long readers. His health becoming Sc
rously impaired by the close application
and ceaseless confinement of daily
newspaper, he retired from the press,
and took an extensive tour over the re-
gion of country, among whose wild fast
nesses he has revisited twenty years la.
ter to find an honorable grave. Or his
return ne was chosen State Comptroller;
and reelected both in 1916 and l847. -
At the close of his long services in this
responsible position, he was returned to
the State Senate from this city and coun-
ty. In 1850, he was Contractor to build
the Suspension Bridge, which crosses
the Cumberland---a work, which stands
in representative recognition of his en-
ergy and public spirit. He re.entered
the editorial department of the Banner
during the ensuing year, from an active
discharge of whose duties, and q spread
ing reputation as political writer, he
was taken by the Wings Of this Congress
sional District, as their nominee for the
United States House Of Representatives.
He was triumphantly elected. He en-
tered Congress member Of the Oppose
ton to the Pierce Administration at the
session Immediately succeeding the in
auguration of March 4th, 1852. Through
out che four years with which he acted
against the party in power under Pierce
and the two years under Buchanan, du:
zinc which he continued in the House,
he won national reputation icr South
ern Conservatism, as a Partisan, for strict
probity of character as Patriot, and for
a purity and amiability of life as Man,
which gave him great personal influence
as Representative. eretired from po-
litical life in 1859, and remained private
citizen until called by the Legislature
last January to become Commissioner
to the Peace Conference. With charac-
teristic readiness and decision, he re-
sponded to the call and attended that
unfortunate body-with what spirit, has
already been mentioned. He came home
disheartened and disguised, and was one
of the earliest to take the sword when
the war actually began. Commissioned
first by the State, and then BY the Con-
federate Cove, nment, ho devoted him
self, up ~ the hour of his death, with a
single-l. eartedness of purpose, and ener-
w of action, and q heroism of courage,
which will shine with untarnished lustre
over the record, which 'Tenders unto
Cesar the things which are Caesars"
His administration of the Department
of East Tennessee, during the most Sc
we're ordeal ever ordained for COM
mander, and the most perilous crisis ever
brought upon people, merits the high
est eulogy as the contamination of milf
tary craftsmanship. He was surrounded
by circumstances and exigencies the
most unprecedented and inexplicable;
he stood in the midst Of conplicacies full
of intricaoy and perplexity. Not only
were the powers of the soldier demand
ed; not only decision and honesty Of pur-
pose; but an amount Of discreet judg-
ment, dispassionate self-control and
enlightened, discriminative diplomacy,
rarely found; especially in the person Of
that man, whose knighterrantry of char
acter happens to be proverbial. But
such seemed to be constantly revealing
themselves in his admirable and magnan-
imous conduct Of affairs; and we must
confess, that upon consideration of the
entire field we are unable to point to
another instance during the war, where
so much nobility Of temper and sagacity
OF intellect, with frmness and courage,
promptitude and decision, have been
displayed, as is to be found throughout
the administration of Justice in East
Tennessee during his official residence at
Knoxville.
His mission accomplished he marched
upon the enemy, with his command.
How he has fulfilled the expectations
OF people, who have long entertained
such exalted confidence in his courage
and capacity, and redeemed the impress
sions OF the thousands Of young hearts
around him, many Of whose first notions
Of cbivalry were derived from his daring,
need not be repeated Up to the hour
of his fall, at the head OF troops whose
alteration marks volume Of suggestive