Washington telegraph., 1865-06-21
pElrH or WILLIAM III. ErrrR. Eso.-

sing suspense to one of our families, and the
deepest cOncers to all tho community, has at
length been sadly confirmed. There is no
longer any reason to doubt that our much
esteemed iellow-citizen WILLIAM Fl. ETTER
has departed this lifo He died at Brownsville.
Texas, on the night Of the 29th of April. He
was attended By several devoted friends, and,
no doubt, received every care which their soiici-
iude could levise But the fell destroyer could
not be staid, and our friend has closed life Of
usefulness, adorned by his genial disposition
and social virtues.
Mr.. Etter was, much as any man amongst
US, thoroughly identified with the fortunes Of
South Arkansas, throughout which he was well
and favorably known, not only as a man Of
sound principles and political influence, but
much better q man OF extensive enterprise
and business energy. He was amongst the
foremost i'll every undertaking to improve the
resources and elevate the social standard Of our
people lie came amongst US young and poor.
and by his own e1ertions had risen in the full
years of manhood to affluence. won by bust
ness talents, which at the same time contributed
to the general prosperity of the people
Next to the venerable WIN. L. Woodruff, he
was the oldest editor in the State. He estab-
shed this journal by his wn exertions quarter
OF century ago, and although he had ceased
to edit il, be retained his business connection
with, and lent his personal and p-cuniary aid to
sustain it, till his death. He had Just and
honorsbs pride in its success for Il was his
own creation. 1t had survived all the past po-
ltical and commercial reverses of the times and
galantly held lis way through the war, sus-
tanning its dignity Of tone from its earliest e1s-
tsncc. AS an editor, lie was plain, sensible and
pertinsnt, NEVER descending to SLAM. or vul-
garity, and aiming always at the apt and the
usefulN No journal show a more conser-
vative spirit, a more consistent devotion 70
the sound instruction and good morals Of the
community. Whatever Of influence for good
the Telegraph has been able to exert amongst
US, has been due in large measure to the irm
basis upon which he established it, aud the can
did, fearless, and honorable tone with which h.
inspired IT, aud which its successive editors
have striVen TO maintain Ii is fitting that the
paper should be clothed in mourning.
His loss will be severely felt by tbs State at
this time. when SO much need the counsel
Of our most saa acious men in the reorganization
Of society, and the radical changes in our sys-
tem of labor.
lie was absent, at the time of his death, as
State agent for procuring supplies for the desti-
tute families Of oar State. He fell in the lins
of his duty, doing good work. His summons
found him at his post, hope it may find
US all
Er2--sz-.gsz.,xazs,secyFzEz zfL.s--..-s s11-s-1tn
CIVIC DUTIES Partly from laudabls mod
csty, partly from personal timidity. and very
much, fear, from disposition TO lie back
and make right record for future political use,
it happens that the more prominent nlen amongst
are, just now, in the very crisis Of our affairs,
tbs least useful with their advice and assistance
Without undertaking to censure this, we think
it much to be deprecated. All men who have
heretofore had the confidence Of the people, and
aspircd TO lead them in times of peace and Sc
curity, owe it to them now to give them at least
the benefit Of their advice, and assume with
them the consequences Of any errors into which
the community may happen to fall in its sirug-
gle for the restoration of peace and order.
And however We may respect the delicacy Of
their sensibilities, we can scarcely think it
sufficient excuse for their failure 10 DO this, that
they are powerlsss and liable to rebuff from the
authorities Of the Federal Government Alter
all, the South is deeply interested in the qu-s-
tons Of the reorganization Of civil government
and the system of labor. II il our citizens who
must suffer or prosper. The North only
suffer refectively and partially. 1t is vital to
our own people, and affects the nearest anI
dearest interests Of every man. No one can
properly be Indifferent to these questiors, nor
have wa reason to suppose that the Federal
Government.will receive with contempt or con-
tumely the advice Of our wisest men, who may
express their Willingness to return to their aIle-