Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-07-07
Suicide of Ruffln.

1t will be remembered that in Apri
1861, Edmund Ruffin, of Virginia, pro-
ceeded to Charleston and claimed, and
was granted, the honor of firing the first
gun against Fort Sumpter. A few days
since this Edmund Ruflin committed
suicide, leaving behind him declaratian
that he preferred to die by his own hand
rather than live under the government OF
the United States. After the evacuation
of Richmond it was noticed that bis spir-
its were very much depressed, and after
that occurrence he spent most of bis time
alone in his room writing what proves to
be history of his times. From mem
orandum in his diary it appears that he
had intended TO take his life on the day
Of Gen. Lees surrender, but was prevent
ed by the presence of visitors.
Thus has passed away another of the
original secessionists. He will be known
in history as the man who fired the first
gun of the great civil war which ended
in the destzuction of his native State, the
section whose cause he espoused, the sys~
tenn of society under which he was rear
ed, and every interest which be held
dear. When he fred that gun, all
Charleston shouted for joy; and as the
wires bore the tidings over the South,
men who had auxiously awaited that
signal gun for twenty years, hailed with
wild enthusiasm the era of glory and in
dependence. But in the four years OF
war that followed that opening gun, ev-
cry voice which then rung out so joy
ously was brought TO utter the sounds of
grief, and every heart which then bound
ed with delight was sooner or later filled
with agony unutterable. The best and
brayest persisted on the battlefield; the
youth who we're to have composed the
next generation were snatched from their
mothers by the memorable CONSUMPTION
the suferings of poverty were endured by
those who had never known want-and
all for nought. When such was the
downfall of so many bright hopes, it was
fitting that he who was so proud Of the
honor of inaugurating the movement
should, upon viewing the destruction
which he had assisted in bringing upon
bis country, end his life of treason by the
violence of bis own hand.
The fate of the most distinguished
eaders of secession will be likely here.
lfter to deter statesmen of disappointed
ambition in this country from trying the
emedy oftreason. Never was the down.
all of cause attended with more com
,lete wreck of the fortunes and hopes of
is leading adherents. While m any
rave fallen on the battlefield, not few
'ave persisted ANONYMOUSLY in private
,rawls or by their own hand. Those
who are left are to experience for the re-
of their lives, fate compared
with which death might we'll be preferred.
Those who may be permitted to remain
n their own country will find themselves
trangors at their old homes and objects
If charity to those who were formerly
heir dependents. Others have already
commenced their weary exile, hence
orth to wander through the earth with
he mark Of Cain upon their foreheads.
And the great leader of all, who sank
be lowest of all, PAGES bis quiet cell bag
,ard and worn, alone with his own
thoughts. The whole history Of the
ecession movement is a lesson not soon
0 be forgotten.-WaacheSter Journal