Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-09-11

apprehension of what was to hap
pen on the morrow,) he spoke of a
conversation he had held some years ago
with the late DR.. James Phillips, on the
foundation of Christians hope and,
giving his old friends clear. condensed de-
ciaration of faith in Jesus Christ's atoning
work as the only sure ground of hope in
death, he added, that it had been great
comfort to him, ever since, to recall and
dwell upon that conversation. DR.. Phillips,
he said, and himself were both moved to
tears as they talked.
! Though Gov. Swain's friends, generally,
had INDUCED in the strongest hopes of his
ultimate recovery, and his improvement
was, IN some respects, SO progressive as to
warrant this belief-yet, for several days
preceding the last, the Governor himself,
and his devoted wife, and his faithful SER
want, Fred Lane, had noticed and remarked
upon his increasing debility. He did not
strengthen or rally at all, though his mind
was cheerful and sustained, his appetite
was good, and he could move himself With
more freedom in the bed. His interest in
men and things remained unabated to the
last, and he read that mornings Sentinel
not half an hour before the sudden and fa-
tai fainting fit that closed the scene. But
there seemed to be lack of vital energy
which was, doubtless, owing greatly to the
deeply depressed and anxious state of his
mind for the past month or two. Perhaps
he did not very much care to live. His
work was done, and we'll done, and he
could safely leave his reputation to his fell
low-countrymen, and to future times
Many expressions which dropped from
him, in the course of the Summer, show
US, now, that he felt his end was not far
of-and that the prospect gave him no un-
easiness He said once, some time before
his accident, that it would be striking
coincidence if his life should terminate
with that of the University.
Prof. Phillips rem9rked that Governor
Swain's religious beliefs and experiences
were known to very few; he seldom re-
ferred to them even with his most intimate
friends. But there could be no doubt of
his firm evangelical faith, or of his per-
sonal acceptance of Christ as his Saviour.
Few public men of the day are as familiar
as he with the Bible-few have read it with
such childlike confidence and Affection -
He was particularly fond of good hymns,
and have known him to go over to neigh
boris, hymn-book in hand, to point out
some favorite. One in particular, begin
ming "Rejoice, the Lord is King" was on
his lips frequently in his last days, and he
was heard repeating it before morning the
last day of his life. Ever since the death
of his daughter Anne, some time in March,
'67, he had been in the habit of going
every morning before day into the garden,
where she was laid, and praying alone by
her grave. The evening before his death
he went over the Lords Prayer with Prof
Phillips, remarking upon its " beauty"
and saying that he never repeated it with
out getting fuller sense of its eXcellency
especially dwelling or "Thy will be
done " as the most striking and beautiful
petition of all and expressing his delight
in it, That night, too, he talked with Mrs.
Swain of the " communion of Saints and
his enjoyment of the ideas and prospects
the expression conveyed. Truly indeed
"his sun made golden set"
II feel, when entering upon any estimate
of Gov. SWANS character, in danger of ex-
ceeding bounds, and, perhaps, of appear
Fitting hands will commemorate his
worth in fitting terms, and tell North
Carolinians what he was in public
and in private the self-taught am
bilious boy, the sensitive, high-toned
young man, who, early in life resolved to
keep himself pure. and apart from all low
and evil associates the upright Judge, the
wise and moderate statesman, the cOnsum-
mately sagacious President of noble Uni
versity, where, for many years, he welded
an undisputed sway, and wider intiu-
ence than any other man in the South
the warm and faithful friend, the tender
husband and father. Beloved--oh, how
beloved at home, honored abroad, having
peace with God and all mankind, Goods
finger touched him and he slept"
He was borne out of the house by old
friends and neighbors. Rev. DR.. Hubbard,
Prof. Smith, Col. Guthrie, Mr.. Jones Wat
son, Mr.. John Watson, Mr.. P. McDade,
Judge Battle and Mr.. Crocker were pail
bearers, preceded by Dr.. Phillips and the
Rev. Mr.. Bobbitt, OF the M. Z. Church.
Gov. Graham, Mr. Paul Cameron, Profes-
sor Fetter, mot yet recovered from the eff
fects of his fall, Mr.. James F. Taylor, and
a full attendance of the people of Chapel
Hill, followed the train around the house
into the garden, where they placed the re-
mains of our beloved and venerated friend
by the side of his daughter, to await the
widows final decision respecting them
That old garden is full of memories of DR..
Caldwell and DR.. Hooper. There are the
two brick pillars placed by DR.. G. due North
and South to mark the points of the COM
pass. There was once a sun dial between
them placed there by the DR.. The paths
are choked up by the growth of enormous
evergreen box trees, planted by Mrs. Cald-
well and Mrs. Fanny Hooper. which [ re-
member, when a child, not half foot high,
but which are now four and five feet in
height and perhaps twelve feet in circum-
ference. Gov. Swain rests under the shade
of three large cedars, which are said to
have been planted by DR.. Caldwell himself,
near the garden paling in front of the brick
Office.
Mr.. Crocker, Mr.. Gibson, Mr.. Sloan, OF
Ala, and Messrs. Geo. and VIM. Mayerick,
of Texas, were the sole lingering repre-
sentatives of the University boys who were
here to follow their President to the
grave. Are there any Of the hundreds who
once thronged these now deserted halls
and groves, who will hear of his departure
withouta pang. or who will cease to remem
Der him with almost 1ilial reverence and
affection /? Was there ever one of them all
to whom he did not endeavor to do his
whole duty, and stand, as he himself loved
to phrase it, "in loco parentiS?" From
Maine to Texas, and from the Atlantic
slope to the shores of the Pacific, will be
found these sons of his-not one of whom
has he ever forgotten, in the lapse of years
or failed to regard with fatherly interest.
Let the University, and his work on it, be
his best monument