American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1865-02-01
NUMBER 8


His heart was in the work, and devoted
to the cause Of the country, aud he es-
teemed no sacrifice too great that he could
make. He adorned the Christian profess
sion by a lie of steady, unceasing use
fulness and attention to the wants of hu-
manity, and anearnest, sincere and consci-
eutious rectitude in all his dealings and
intercourse with his fellow men, as well as
by a character for deyout attchmeut 10
morality and religion which few have at
tanned. The Sabbath School connected
with the church to which he belonged
was presided over by him for quarter of
injury, and there-as here aud else
where-he viii be missed
But in one place above all Others in the
wide universe, he will be most sadly miss
ed. In his home. That home, before so
happy. The habitation of contentment
and joy and love, and the strongest at
traction of earth to him. When abroad,
the place to whieh--of all others in the
world-he yearued to turn his steps. I
well rememberwith what gladuess of heart
he prepared to return thither at the close
of the wearisome session last spring. 1
recall with what solcitude he looked for
ward to the time when, the trying ordeal
of Legislative duties past, he could settle
down once more in The calm, quiet happi-
ness of home, in the midst of his loved
tamilyscircle. Alas there, indeed, the
desola!ion OF his absence will gather like
deep shadow of gloom. We miss his
friendly face among us here. The inter
est of his locality and the State at large
will miss his care and attention. Enter,
prises of benevolence-ch charitable associ-
ations and the poor and needy will miss
his generous aid The cause of the coun-
try, the church, aud Sabbath School; his
constituents, ncighbors and friends will
miss him. But oh none of these will
feel his loss nor miss him so much as the
partner OF his bosom aud the children of
his love. Theirs is the sorrow which en-
dures. Others may forget him. The
places he occupied in society may in time
be filed again-but the places of husband
and father must forever remain vacant.
And though they may feel and know that,
the loved one has made happy exchange
that he has just gone from life which,
however blessed by love, and favored by
fortune, has still much of care and sorrow
to state of existence where no sadness
ever enters-still the reflection that here
on earth they will never behold him again,
is fraught with much bitterness and grief.
To them, hissorrowing brother and 9TH
er afflicted relatives, the warmest sympa-
thes of my heart 60 out, aud my most
fervent wishes that they may be sustain
ed and soothel in their sore bereavement
by Him who alone can Speak peace to
the troubled Soul, and in this expression
| doubt not that all of you here, who
knew the deceased most heartily join.
My own share in this bereavement has
cost me many paug of heart, and much
real sorrow. 1t is brought to my recol-
lection, in all its first freshness, by the
place and presence in which now sand.
! feel a deepsense of sadness and desola-
tion here, even although the familiar IA
ces of many acquaintances greet my eyes,
My colleague and dear friend is goue.
see him no more in the seat he was wont
to occupy. / miss the warm pressure of
his hand and kind greeting when / come
here in the morning; / miss his fat.erly
care and wise counsel; | miss the anx-
ious interest and tender sympathy which
he always bestowed upon me; miss the
example of his honest, straightforward,
unsel6sh course and oh I miss-per-
haps more than all-the incentive to lead
virtuous, upright life, and the infuen-
ces for good which he always endeavored
to throw around me. My loss is great
indeed, for where can | find another to
fill his place? On whom can rely as I
did upon him? Who, with the same
noble heart and generous impulses, tho
same tender feeling and entire self-abneg-
alton, shall ever become to me the Same
confdant and friend? To him went, as
to father, irfall my griefs and troubles,
and never failed to receive his warm in-
terest and soothing sympathy.
These losses, Mr. Speaker, are the most
bitter, and at the same time the most
useful lessons that we learn in life. They
are those which imeress themselves most
deeply upon our hearts. They come to
us in the shape of admonitions which we
cannot disregard. The friend of our
soul is taken away suddenly in the midst
of health and strength and hope. 1t is
-, i, -voxv varu r,aar In our hearts IT. ia a