The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1866-05-23

pensary, where medicines were distributed
at cheap rate to those who had the
means to buy, and gratuitously to those
who had no money. He had his State
Store where clothing, and other necessaries
we're sold at q cheap rate, established, as he
said, to prove that the high price Of CON-
nodities was owing to the extortion Of the
'radesmen and not to the depreciation Of
the currency Of his beloved country. He
redeemed his promise to putinto the hands
If every adult woman in the State pair
Of cotton cards, by which her own delicate
hands could hide her pakedness while her
father, or son, or brother, or lover, was
lighting the battles OF his country. And.
not forgetful of the mind and the soul in
the midst Of his efforts in behalf Of the
material welfare Of his people, he compiled,
printed and distributed spelling books,
readers and grammars, at triiing expense
to aid in the education of those who were
too young to bear the hardships Of the bat
tie field. His Legislature met while he
was absorbed in his labors, saw what he
was doing, said we'll done good and faithful
servant, and placed at his disposal all the
resources Of the State. Thousands Of
bales Of cotton, and millions of dollars
passed through his hands aud were devoted
to the good Of the people, and yet he was
dependent on the charity of his friends for
the means to take him out ofthe country
Was Aristides more just, or Fabricius less
corruptible?
We cannot dwell ON the scenes following
the surrender; our heart sickens at the
recital; our eyes are blinded by tears as
we write. BY the action Of the conquering
power this noble spirit was forced into ex.
lie to escape certain death in a dungeon
Languishing far away from his home he has
died with broken heart. His last
thoughts were Of his friends ne had left
behind; his last request to be buried in
the military uniform Of the country for
which he gave his file.
= =
1t were useless to attempt to portray the
character of Governor Allen to the people
of Louisiana within whose limits every
man, woman and child are as familiar with
his virtues as with household words. His
mind was Of high order, and well cult
waited by reading aud observation, notwith.
standing the incompleteness Of his early
education. Naturally impulslve, his enthu
siasm often got the better ofhis judgment
but his conclusions were in the main cor
rect, and nothing equalled the rapidity o.
the execution of his well settled plans
He was a nervous and vigorous writer
though often diffusc and incorrect for the
reasons we have already mentioned. His
"Travels Of Sugar Planter is very
entertaining work and we think second
edition now would be universally read
In the social circle Governor Allen, in the
days Of his prosperity and happiness, had
no peer. Devoted to his friends, and an
enthusiastic admirer of women. he was the
life Of every party in his neighborhood as
semoled for social and conyiyial purposes
His good nature was prorerbial; his tenn
per impossible to be rufled. He would
submit to anything that would give pleas
ure to Others.
As regards his religious opinions we
probably know more than most men who
enjoyed his acquaintance. Reared under
the teachings Of firm believers in the truth
Of Christianity he never departed from his
early training. We remember in his
Travels Of Sugar Planter letter
written from the tomb Of Calvin to his
old Pastor, DR.. Butler Of Port Gibson, in
which while speaking with pride Of his
Calvinistic faith he condemned the murder
Of Survetus and the kindred bigotry and
fanaticism which had SO often disgraced the
Calvinistic church. When preparing his
school books for the press, we remember
hearing him charge the friend who was as
ssting him in their preparation to make
them breathe the spirit Of Christianity and
Of piety.
And our noble friend is gone! Weshall
never look upon his countenancc again.
Often, when thinking of the darkness which
now surrounds our public afairs, and
dreaming Of the time when peace, and hap
piness and prosperity should again bless
our State, in the far off future, among the
sweetest and dearest thoughts was the
belief that Henry Allen would be among
US, to share that prosperity and to contri-
butte to our greatness and to our coming
glory. But an .all-wise Providence, fol
some good reason which we cannot Under
stand, has decreed otherwise. We bow in
humble submission to his omnipotent will
And if indeed we had our own choice Of
blessings to be vouchsafeil us, we can think
ofnothing better to ask than that some one
like our departed hero may arise in the fu-
ture to Go for the people Of this State what
he has done, anu to perpetuate the same
noble example of heroism, Of virtue and ben
efcence.
hy~ We regret to learn that General
Webber and the garrison on duty at this
post have been relieved to be mustered ont
and that their places are to be supplied by