The Van Buren press., 1866-06-09

ACT fHoWPSoH.
AS distant as the sun from the reno
test planet in the solar system, are the
sources OF the moral and philosophic
light which beaming steadily through sue
ceedinG centuries has continued until to-
day, to illumine the minds and fruetity
the hearts of men in almost every nation
occupying place on the earth; rcplac-
ing the gloom of Ignorance with the glo-
ries of the Arts and Sciences, and for the
dreary night of superstition, substituting
the Sun of Righteousness and the truths
and blessings of religion. The charac-
ter and teachings of Aristides and Soc
rates; the achievements OF the elder Bru
tus, of Virginius and Cato, and the inspi-
ration of the familiar stories of Joseph,
and the Child of Bethlehem, have, by their
elevating influences, raised man to dig
nifty which makes him indeed but little
lower than the angels. ~
With all these Lieut. Colonel TnoMp
SON was familiar 6 from his youth up"
which he illustrated by his life and attes-
ted by his death. There were few men
possessed of morcthorough familiari-
ty with useful learning, or more deeply
imbued with the principles of that wis
dom Chat has been sad to be the Olive
that springeth from the heart, floweth on
the tongue, and beareth fruit in the ac-
tons" He had given his life, and all the
energies of determined character to its
accumulation, and at the time he respon-
ded to the call to arms was engaged in
imparting the rcsultsof years devoted to
its acquisition, as teacher, and the first
President of St. JOINS College, in this
city, founded by theFree Masons of this
State, for the education of young men
generally, with SIZE special provisions
for the education,T the sons of Masons
particularly, ha,ing been invited here
from Virginia his native State, by the
Trustees Of tle College, for the purpose
of being INFESTED with this duty.
Physically weak, and sinking as it soon
became apparent, from that debilitating
and inarable malady, consumption, he
yet applied himself to the labors of his
position with an energy unsurpassed by
the most robust, and acquired at once an
influence in the community to which EN-
inent abilities, his gentle manners and
consistent walk in life justly entitled him.
The eloquent and classical letter. accom-
panying the presentation Of a sword to
Capt. 1ottcn, upon the evacuation of the
State by the Federal Military Authorities
in February, 1861, was composed by him,
and continued, to his latest moments to
be the source of deepest regret, on ac-
count of what he conceived to be the
misapplication of the gift by the contin-
uance Of the donee in the Federal. SER
vice. after the declaration Of hostlities,
and the commencement of a war against
those who trusted his assurances that it
should never be drawn against them or
their country Devout in the most scru-
pulous observance of the letter and spir-
it of the rules of Christian department,
he cherished, up to his death, the deter
mination to make it a personal matter,
which could only be settled, without the
public apology OF Capt TOtten, on the
field of honor, as the only satisfaction
for so gross a breach Of solemnly and
publicly pledged faith, to be rendered him
as a gentleman and soldier who had been
deceived by him.
On the Sth day ofMay 1861, when war
had become a foregone conclusion, and
the lst Arkansas Regiment, commanded
by Col. Pagan, authorized by the Secre-
tary Of War, of the Confederate States,
of which Arkansas had not yet been adj
mitted as a member, had assembled at
Little Rock, for organization, President
Thompson was elected Major by accla
nation.
About the same time he was offered
the Colonelcy of aregiment in the State
of his nativity, and Of which he had but
lately been citizen, but declared his de.
termination to serve in any position to
which he might be assigned with the men
of the State Of his adoption. The OIL,
GERS of the Regiment were duly commits
stoned by the Governor, the men voted
pay, or bounty Of ten dollars apiece in
gold by the Convention then in session
here, and left for Virginia where the Fed.
eral authorities seemed disposed to direct
the first march of their armies.