The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-09-29
southerners Settling in New York.

York their home. 1t is estimated that
nearly 600 Southern born whites, Of both
sexes, have settled permanently in that
city since the conclusion Of the war. The
Herald says that among so many settlers
from section cs .!:o country aiways
fruitful Ill great minds, it is not strange
therS should be some men Of intellect and
power 1t gives number Of sketches of
most prominent settlers from the South,
from which we extract the following:
PROFESSOR ALEXANDER D1M1TRY
This venerable gentleman, one Of the
most learned and distinguished of South
ern scholars and publicists, is u native Of
New Orleans. He was educated ut the
University OF Georgetown, u. Q. Return
ing to Louisiana after his graduation, he
founded the New Orleans Bee, being tho
hrst Louisianian that ever edited n news
paper in the English language In 1889,
Mr.. Dlmltry w.s appointed by President
Van Buren, under the treaty with Mexico,
Secretary of the Mixed Board OF Commits
sloners to adjust claims of citizens of the
United States against Mexico. But he had
been engaged i'll this service only short
time, when he was appointed by the Lou
lslana Legislature President of Franklin
college, one Of the three institutions en-
dowed by tho State. In 1913, the State of
Louisiana reformed its Constitution, max
ing 1t compulsory on the Legislature to
provide for the support of public schools
by direct taxation. Professor Dimitry
thirteen appointed by tho next Legislature
TO organize the new system, Which was
adopted, and he was elected by that body
Superintendent of Public Education against
judge Builard, then late Chief Justice.
Dur1nS the occupancy Of this position,
rro1essor Dlmltry was twice nominated for
Congress by the Democracy, but declined,
believing that he could better serve the
State as director of her schools. I'm
1854, he wss invited BY the late William l..
Marcy, Secretary of State, to take charge
OF the foreign correspondence and transla-
tlon IN the State Department. He accepted
and remained there, to the incalculable
value Of the country until 1863, when he
was appointed Minister Plenipotentiary of
the United States to Central America. to
settle the transit question with Nicaragua
and to procure from Costa Rica u mixed
convention to settle the claims of American
| citizens against said State, both of which
questions he satisfactorily adjusted He
returned to tho South after the war had
commenced, and during its continuance
he was Chief of the Finance Bureau of tho
Confederate Post Odice Department.. Pro-
lessor Dimitry is learned IN every branch
OF science and ethics. He is undoubtedly
w "es. lib uiS1 III Cne country, and Is
thoroughly conversant with ancient Greek.
Latin, Sansorit, G@lic, Anglo-Saxon and
German; less Intimately 80 with tho He
brew and Persic languages. He speaks
with fucncy English, French, Spanish.
Portuguese, Italian and modern Greek.
he is deeply read in the politics, history
and laws of the European States. and il an
elegant classical scholar. His memory is
extraordinary short, he is u complete
walking ency clopedia." This remarkable
man was created LID. BIZ his Alma
Mater, which title was also conferred by
Jackson College. Louisiana.
A. J. REQuIER, OF ALABAMA
Our community is fortunate in the Access
sion OF this gifted son of the South. Dis
tlngulshed as a jurist, Il poet and an orator,
ne Is known throughout the country. He
Is native of Charleston, s. c., where he
studied law and made his first appearance
IN public life. At the age of fifteen, he
| wrote and published a blank verse play,
cnt!tlcd lhe Spanish Exile" and, shortly
after. a drama, Marco Bozarris," which
was played III many of the leading thea
tres OF the United States, and u local novel
|scalled The Old Sanctuary" His subse-
quent literary efforts have been numerous.
Many OF his exquisite poems have appeared
| from time to time in the newspape but
| nave not, VIC belleve, been collected i'll
| book form. His code to Shakespeare" was
reproduced and warmly commended in
| England. and great interest was excited
by his "Crvstalinc," an epic argument,
maintaining the Divine Personality, on
| purely rational grounds, against the PAN
theistic theory. Mr.. Requier moved to
Mobile IN 1870, and was shortly afterwards
appolnted District Attorney of the United
States, which function he exercised up to
the breaking out of the war, having, in the
| meanwhile, become prominent by his
| oinclai acton and arguments in suppress
sion OF the Cuban and Nicara2uan cxpedi-
tlons projected from the Gulf. He CONT
nued in the position dnring the Confede.
rate regime, but was pardoned Dv the Pre-
| sident at its close
| DIR. ROBERT h. GIBBES.
:, 1hls gentleman has lately settled in New
York lie ls graduate of the Charleston
ooIeSe, III ms native State. and of tho
Mother ot American Medical Schools. in
the University OF Pennsylvania During
the war, his surgical skill WAS IN constant
practice He has extended his practice,
| also, IN the great hospitals Of the Old
| World. Though comparatively Young, DR..
GlDbes brings to the aid OF science u mind
bold and original seeking into the depths
for the causes Of all things, and devoted
| with rare earnestness to the cause of
medical progress.
| GENERAL ROGER A. PRYOR.
| The career Of this redoubtable Confede-
rate brigadier is pretty we'll known to the
country IN the several roles Of lawyer,
editor politician and duclst. Hehas been
editor Of the Washington Union, a mem
Der of Congress from Virginia for two
terms, and Special Commissioner of the
| UNITED States to Greece. jeff Davis made
INN one OF his brigadier- generals during
the war, but quarreling with l,is imperious
| chle1 pryor at once resigned and re-en-