The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-05-26

The Late John A. Peckhan.
JOHN A. PEoxHAA, who departed this
life on Sunday, the 2lst of May, has left
a vacuum in our midst which the grief of
hosts of his mourning friends will sadly
realize. He was, indeed, no ordinary
man. With heart which was fountain
of love to bis fellow men, and of every
kind, generous and noble feeling; with a
smile which shed its genial lustre upon all
around him, and an open hand whose cor
dial grasp was always ready to attest the
overlooking friendship and good will of
his heart, he moved among his fellows
like ray of sunshine to give light and
warmth and life to all the kindlier senti-
ments and better instincts of our nature
which give to social intercourse it's charm
and to our outer life its brighter and hap
pier phase. In that brightest virtue that
sparkles in the veins of our public human
ity-the virtue of charity-that charity
which els kind" which "enyieth not"
which "vaunteth not ITSELF" which +" is
not pulled up" which "doth not behave
itself unseemly," which "seeketh not her
own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no
evil, he was perhaps the most remark
able of men. With a mental capacity
broad and strong enough to realize that
the truth was not monopolized by any sect
or party and that men might differ from
him and still be right, and he was never
the man to Judge harshly the motives of
his opponents in either politics or religion,
but extended to them all that courtesy and
urbanity which was but the outgrowth of
his whole-souled charity. In his heart
there was indeed no guile. If anger ever
stirred his soul at all, it was but the ripple
on the stream that soon lost itself in the
calm sea Of his universal and all. pervad-
ing kindness, or disposed of itself in the
quiet dignity and manly reserve which
balanced his character with the "suaviter
in modo " and the "fortiter in re-"
He therefore had the respect and friend
ship of all parties, and probably not an en-
envy in the world. Though Democrat,
proud of his principles, and always true to
them, he represented the strongest Repub-
ican Ward in our city in the City Ooun-
Gil. Though, what in the divisions of that
party, was called War Democrat, he al
ways had the confidence and friendship of
the other wing of that party who differed
with him, but whose patriotism and devo-
ton to the country he was never the man
to question.
Though Democrat, he of all others
was most forward and jealous in our
Council to have our city represented at
the funeral of our late Republican Presi-
dent-making three consecutive nomina-
tons of other members, who declined,
and finally, as most fitting and appropri-
ate compliment to bis liberal and generous
sentiments towards his political opponents,
the Council delegated himself to represent
them at the funeral.
1t was The last public act of his life, and
most fitting example of the liberal and
uncramped patriotism of his politics, and
broad humanity of his philanthropy.
As a member of the Legislature, though
differing in politics from three-fourths OF
bis peers, be was perhaps as popular a
man as any who occupied a seat in that
body. But he is gone. From the meri-
dian of bis high popularity and success,
while still member of the Legislature and
Council, in the enjoyment of the universal
respect and friendship of the community,
suddenly, while the life blood bounds Wig.
orously throug his veins, like bird on
the wing whose heart is pierced by the
hunters ball, be falls, death plants its sting
deep into his vitals and the grave claims
its victory. His spirit is Gods; bis body
is the earth's; his examples and his mem.
DRY are ours.
The Providence which has go suddenly
bereaved Us, says to US in silent but DOW.
erful language, "be ye also ready, for in
such an hour as ye think not the son OF
man cometh."
Let US emulate his virtues and throw
over his faults the same proud mantle Of
"charity" of which bis life was such a
bright example.
A Strange Prayer.
Some ministers are very belligerent. and not