New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-02-12
The Late Newton c. Blackburn

Some time ago we recorded the death of New
ton c. Blackburn who had been EMPLOYED in this
office for several years, and paid brief tribute to
his memory. Our notice attracted the attention
of his brother, W. Jasper Blackburn, Esq, editor
of the Homer Iliad, who after copying it, wrote
and published in his paper the following feeling
obituary, which we take pleasure in reproducing;
We had hut short time previously heard of the
sad accident which had befallen our dear brother :
and Notwithstanding we INDUCED some hope of his
recovery, We were nevertheless prepared to hear
of his death.
Well, those who know us best we'll know what
our feelings must be in case of this kind. The
heart that can bleed for others woes. must bleed
when the Christening rod enters his own household.
We have wept over the tomb of father, a
mother wife, and sweet little daughter: and
if we live llng enough to be spared the opportu'
nifty We snail drop at least one tear of remem-
brance over the last resting place of our departed
brother-whose death in the meantime We trust
We mourn none the less devotedly and sincerely
because we CHANGED to be absent from the imme-
date scenes Of his last sutferings.
Our heart dictates to US the duty of passing
eulogy upon the memory of Newton Cleveland
Blackburn, even though he was our brother And
why should we not? Were it mere friend whom
we had known as long and favorably as we knew
him, I'VE might do so with the full appreciation of
the world, and perhaps with compliments for the
manner of doing it. And shall We be less just to
our brother than to an alien or one Of no akin
IernaDS We might ne excused Tile indulgence OF
such an effort; but then when we contemplate the
theme in the 60 calmness of thought the true and
meaning words of the poet come home to US with
a telling force never before felt or realized:
on when The heart full when bitter thoughts
And the poor common words OF courtesy
Are such very mockery, how MUCH
The bursting heart may pour itself in prayer"
Yet we will summon the courage to do our
brothers memory the justice of single quotation
from his favorite poet Shakespeare:
.His too noble for the world
He would not fatter Neptune for his trident.
for hi. RG ,v as to thunder H. aa
And being angry, did forget tina; ever
He had heard the name OF Death"
Such was simply the sum and substance Of the
true character of our d ear brother Newton-a
man like other men not without faults; but we can
truly say for him. that unlike many, he was with
out single mean or malicious impulse. His soul
may have been hayward and cratic at times but
it was when it left his poor mangled and agonizing
body, as pure in meditatve designs as when first
breathed from the Great Creative Godhead. And
in this form and character, and thus facilitated did
his pure and blessed spirit pass away from trouble
to eternal happiness. ,* . -H
paper of what we really feel when contemplating
the loss Of our dear brother to his poor helpless
family. 1t is not meet that we should, Manhood
forblds it, and his memory forbids it. He would
look down upon us and chide the weakness, in the
stern manhood of his manly nature, were we to
permit our heart sympathies in this respect to be
blazoned for the "idiotic glare,' of the cold and
heartless world. 1t shall not be We simply say,
may the God of Heaven bless and protect his dear
widowed wife and sweet orphan children They
must and shall know, that while we live they have
a friend on earth.
Our brother was native of Missouri, and was
about four years our junior. We remember well
the very hour. and place of his birth. There were
but few settlers in that region then-a wild and
romantic wilderness, upon the headwaters of a
GEAR clear, crystal stream called the River of the
Eleven Points, in particular locality called the
'Valley'-there was our dear departed brother
horn, and we have to regret that he could not be
breezes as pure. But that land where the wings
of the soul are unfurled" shall on this account
prove none the less lovely and enrapturing to him
in his present home Of happiness and Immortal
glory.