The Portland daily press., 1868-10-10

The sympathy of our whole city can be no
more freely or affectlonately given to any of
its fam lies, than it is to those who are mourn
ing with us to-day the close of noble life, or
who have sadly journeyed homeward with the
earthly remains of one whom we have known
and loved so well. John b. Carroll was of our
foremost citizens, and not merely, by the
prominence of his wealth or social culture. 1t
would have been a sorrowful but blessed privi-
lege if we could have cheered his last days in
the city of his adoption. But when he left US
we could not believe that his sickness was
mortal, and his hope was strong that the air of
his native State was the best cordial for his
weakness. The same friendship that has fol-
lowed him with its good wishes and its
prayers will receive him to an honored rest
among our own buriec treasures.
Mr. Carroll was by birth a Virginian, and
his residence in Portland began with his mar
riage to Julia, daughter of the late Col. Chas.
@. Clapp. The qualities of business sagacity
and enterprise which he brought to bear upon
his mercantile relations soon gave him posi-
tion Of influence aud distinction. 1t may be
mentioned that while no man could be more
prompt, skilful, and decided in dealing in the
world Of trade, the unvarying fairness ana
courtesy of his actions were never questioned.
1t may be doubted if any refusal from his
lips ever gave pain or aroused the least feeling
of enmity AT the time of his death, the po
sition held by him as director in both of those
large corporations, the Casco Bank aud the
Portland and Rochester Railroad, shows the
esteem in which his advice was held by the
business men of our city.
Yet with all the public distinction Of Mr..
Carrolps business life, he was singularly un-
obtrusive and free from ostentati0n Never
ambitious for official station, it was only once
when the voice of large plumber of his fel-
low citizens demanded, while he was absent
that his name should stand upon the list as
candidate for mayor, that he reluctantly con-
sented to what he would have avoided at first
And, it may be added, that during the heat
and bitterness OF political campaign, not
one word was breathed by those most in oppo-
sitlon TO his views. to impeach his motives or
sully his honor. His character disarmed Sian
der, and the love of his nobleness was too uni
versal to permit an injurious or malignant
thought. yrs
Socially, we shall long remember Mr.. Car
roll as the type of finished gentleman. His
personal presence was imposing, while his un-
affected goodness shone in his smiles and his
hearty words of kindness. He was every
body's friend. No slight evidence of his char
lty may be seen in the tears which his death
has called to the eyes Of the poor and lowly in
our city. The lavish hospitality of his house.
the quiet yet broad generosity OF his hand, the
pleasure of his companionship in the walks
and ways of life, awake among us all of every
station or degree the keenest regret that he is
no more
Perhaps we are not passing the proper
bounds of public eulogium when we speak of
his domestic virtues Every quality of heart
that made him a man of mark IN the outside
world, shone brightest in his home. Provi-
dence gave him, first time of happiness and
promise that seemed to make him an object of
envy to us all; then the closing shadows of
these last few years that have so saddened our
hearts in darkening his own. In the long
sickness that carried from him his children, a
womanly tenderness and a manly strength
were united in his assduous ministry, whose
extent was scarcely realized by those who
knew him best In the shocks of bereavement
that fell on the honored family with which he
was united, no hand was so strong and no
voice so calm as his in giving assistance or
cheer. When the last aflicton came, and one
who had through long life been identified
found his strength forever failing on earth,
while the demands for energy and labor We're
more imperious then ever, it was the same
Kindness which was at dice nurse and COM
forter and which assumed the care and re-
sponsibity OF the enterprise that was so dear
to the sufferers heart. From such sacrifices,
tolls and sorrows, it seems impossible that any
life can rise unbroken and it is not astonish-
ing that even Mr.. CarrolPs health and strength
at last gave way. No return of the love he
had given to others, no ministry of tender and
patient watchfulness, has avaiied to hold him
back from the grave.
Our words seem but the cold statement of
his praises after all. Every laurel leaf we lay
upon his coffin seems too poor. We have been
hoDOsed by fellow-citzens in wi ose excellence
our public and private life seemed rich-we
shall never open the to NIB for a man more no.
BILE and true than John Bryce Carroll. B.