The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-04-11


Under headings such as the above, it is the
usual duty of an editor 70 record tribute to
the memory of persons, eminent indeed In
their various spheres, but whose death is no
greater shock to the editor himself than to the
public at large. The present instance is q sad
and bitter exception. The deceased, VIM.
M. Semple, was near to us, and cherished
dearly by us. both personally and profession
ally, having been our principal editorial asso-
ciate in the CRESCENT for the past ten years.
The fluent praise which might otherwise
trickle from tacile pen, refuses now to glide
smoothly, while it swells to OVERLOOKING at its
fountain Out of the fullness of the heart the
mouth cannot always speak articulately and
audibly. Tears will sometimes drown elo-
quence.
VIM. NJ. semples life, character, and de-
pertinent were eminently adapted to reflect
honor upon his Virginia nativity and his yir-
ginia education. A student of the University
Of Virginia, extensively and critically CONVEX
SAINT with classical as well as with modern lit
erature, there was not about him the slightest
trace of pedantry. Clear and decided in his
convictions, tenacious and incorporating
in his positions, he was never pragmatical or
,btrrs,va II, ooSerts,r thano and M ono
could have been more considerate and tole-
rant with regard to men of opposite political
opinions and associations. lie always sunk
SELF whatever else he might assert.
A truer gentleman, in short, than our dead
friend and late associate, never wore about
him the earthly garb of mortality. He was
born, if ever man was, to that estate. For
tune, with its bitterest flngs, could not touch
him there. Aye, he would have been every
inch gentleman, in a plight forlorner than
old Lear's, by title clearer than was ever
set up by discrowned monarch to be 'every
inch o king" In softness and modesty he
was like woman, and yet his nature was
fraught with all manly virtues, and the gen
tleness of his demeanor, contrasted with the
fearlessness of his spirit, was like sunshine
playing on the surface of slumbering and
fathomless ocean.
In the bigness of his heart there was ever
some corner for genuine kindness even to-
wards men whose principles he might detest,
or whose vices he might abhor. Thus, if the
paradox may be allowed, he was at the same
time cordial hater and utterly destitute of
guile. We are satisfied that he never gave
any one just cause for personal enmity; and
if he leaves behind him a single enemy, that
enemy is person profoundly to be pitied.
1t is needless here to relate the journalistic
career of Mr.. Semple. His labors in various
relations to the press, in Virginia and in
this State, we're as unpretending as they were
diligent and useful. The columns of the
CRESCENT have, for years, attested the pres
ence OF his ndelity, taste, discrimination ana
general ability. His death will strike many
as sudden and unexpected; but those who
knew him intimately were not wholly UMPIRE
pared for it. They could perceive that the
seeds of a constitutional malady were taking
deep root in consequence of his profound and
increasing sorrow over the unfortunate condi-
ton of his native. State, of Louisiana and of
the whole South. This shrouded his last
days with gloomy forebodings. Let us be-
lieve that his spirit is now unburthened, and,
beyond the mortal horizon of mists and tenn
pests, sees wilh unclouded eyes that all is for
the best, and that God, and truth, and the
right still live even for this world.