The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1867-05-24

Suicide II Prominent Man.
From the louisville Democrat, May Q.
lntel!igenceJp ms recdvsd in the city yes
terday Of M hmenfAble affair." 1t was
that d the cd fissioaof suicide. b, the.
Hpn siijzlr ~ at Ms residence ca Rus
Aevihe Ld4H punty Thisdistin Saishct.
ahtlelAan sSt Himself through the head,
and, tits supposed, died:instanlly. He let
anote s;atihtthat the country is ruined,
n am pcwerless to save it, and have no
longer deire for life"
/ These ire the simple facts of this most
deplorabk tragedy Judge Hise was one
of the most eminent, learned and able men
of Kentucky. There were few his peers
in legal y SCHOLASTIC attainments He had
served with distinction In the general as
sembly Of the state and was judge of the
court OF appeals Throughout his long and
eventful lite, he was an: ardent aud uncem-
promising democrat. That theory of doc
very soul of his faith, The very essesce Of
his ida of government. In district8larse.
ly wing, he maintained his political views,
and dough often defeated, stood to them
| with maplnass of person who feels that
his cmyicti6ns are right
I Judge H!se, under the administration OF
President Polk, was appointed minister to
Central America. During his term eftof-
fee he framed the celebrated Clay ton Bull
wer treaty that caused such excitement IN
this country and Great Britain. 9et
IJudgesHise was elected to the last Com
gresStoifillsth vacancy occasloned by the
death OF Hon Henry Order. Upon the
past Saturday he was again chosen by an
almost unanimous vote. In the national
legislature he signalized himself by his abi-
ity and ffirmness He was in Washington,
asehe had1been in Kentucky, pre-eminantly
practical, straightforward and decisive.
There was no wavering in him, no conceal
ment of principle no time serving. lie
was gidnt in intellect, and made the force
of his great brain fall upon the enemies of
his country.
Personally Judge Hise was rude and un-
courh. In truth, his manner was far from
courteous It was, however, always frank
and candid. In religion he was a skeptic,
and openly avowed his disbelief in the ex-
! listing system of Christianity. It is re-
markable fact that bis father who was a
German merchant, of Russellvile, commit
ed suicide by cutting himself across and up
the abdomen with razor.
The deceased leaves most estimable
lady, who has been his partner in life for
many years. His fortune was quite large
From the New York I'll mes, (Rsp.)
The suicide of the Hon. Elijah Hise,
member of Congress from Kentucky, seems
to have been attended with circumstances
and prompted by motives which make it
peculiarly melancholy. He is said to have
left note stating that ID the present con-
dition of public affairs, his advanced age
rendered him powerless to do any good, and
he preferred not to make the attempt. Mr.
Hise held seat during the last session of
the thirty ninth Congress, having been
chosen to fill vacancy. He took warm
interest in the action of the house, and
spoke several times onthe main subj0ct of
!debate-the restoration Of the union. His
views, being those of the old state-rights
school, were received with contempt as well
as disfayor by the exultant and somewhat ar
rogant republican majority this was ex-
tended, it must to their discredit be added,
to his style of speaking-which was slow,
measured and altogether too serious and
sincere for the fippant tone and temper of
the house. Mr,Hise was short, stout
man, of dark complexion, with iron grey
hair brushed back from his forehead, a
handsome, earnest face which bore the
marks of the deep, sad concern which he
felt to his hearts core for the condition and
prospects of the country. He had clear
logical mind, and always made speeches we'll
worthy of degree of attention which was
seldom given them in that house. On one
occasion, during a night session, when he
was brought in long after midnight under
call of the house and required to give a
reason for his absence, he proceeded to say
that he was wearied by the long session and
+ greatly depressed in spirit by the tone of
the debates and what seemed to him the sad
condition of public affairs and feeling
that he could be of no service there he had
yielded to this depression and gone home.
Quite incapable of believing such declara-
tons sincere and entitled to respect, the
members were inclined to regard them as
insulting to the dignity of the house, and
demands were made that they should bere
sented and punished. Conscious of his own
perfect sincerity, Mr.. Hise was utterly be-
wildered by this reception Of what he had
said, but after a little time he proceeded,
while disavowing any such thought Or pur-
pose as was imputed to him, to explain and
vindicate what he had said; and this he
did with SO much feeling and dignity, that
even the soothing railers who had assailed
him were forced into silence and respect.
He was a man of the greatest possible sin
cerity-of fine talents, an accomplished and
successful lawyer, and held in the highest
personal esteem by all who knew him. He
has given proof of the depth and earnest
ness of his fears for the country, which even
those who do not share cannot fail to re-
spect. '7ia
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D oxo = rlyo b1o VI al d;por G.