The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1869-06-24
Obituary.

New York, on last Friday morning
He was born at Lima, New York,
January "a, 1920, and was consc-
quently nearly fifty. He appeared,
however, at least ten years younger
than this, thanks to an iron consti-
tuition and most regular and exem.
plary habits.
His father was a poor farmer, and
young Horny employed his carly
years in tilling the soil, but was
eventually graduated at the Univer-
| sity of Vermont in 1910, and in 1s41
went on the Tribune staff, as assist.
ant to Horace Greeley, at the found
ing of that journal, and by his re-
markable ability as writer and re.
porter, greatly contributed to the
] success of that paper.
From 43 to 81 he was an associ-
ate editor with GenI James Watson
| Webb, Of the N. Y. Courier and En-
quirer. In 40 and 81 he was in the
N. Y. Legislature, the latter term as
Speaker, and at once became recog-
nized as not only the finest parlia-
mentarlan IN that body, but an ora
tor of no mean ability.
! In September 81, he established
| tho New York Times, which has un.
der his faithful and able editorial
management, become second in abil
ity, character and influence, only to
the N. Y. Tribune, of all the papers
in the land.
In "a he was elected by the wings,
temperance people, and anti-Nebras.
ka men, Lieut.. Governor on the tick
ct with Myron J. Clark for Governor.
In sc he assisted materially in Or
ganizing the Republican party, and
was tho author Of the famous Pitts
burg address, and worked like Tro.
jan on the stump and through his
paper, for that political, military and
railroad humbug, John Charles Ere
mont.
He was delegate to the conven-
ton which re.nominated MIR. Lincoln
at Baltimore, in 1864, and at the
same time gave to the country that
political prestidigitator, Andy John
son, as Republican candidate for
Vice President, in accomplishing
which latter result, Raymond
took an active part, as against Dan'l
s. Dickinson, the. only other promi-
nent candidate.
Mr.. Raymond was the chairman
of the committee On resolutions of
that convention, and was the author
of the platform which declared for
the total extirpation of every root
of slavery, and electrified the nation
with its ringing, loyal utteranccs.
On two occasions during that con-
vention opportunities were afforded
MIR. Raymond to exhibit his remark
able talents as q parliamentarian and
orator: the first was whom owing to
the inability of Gov. Dennison Of
Ohio, the presiding officer, to main.
tain order, the convention had appa.
rently gotten itself into an inextrica.
bio muddle over report, which was
completely unravclled by his fewtime-
~ and intelligent remarks; and the
second was when the convention had
resolved itself into a roaring mob by
the ambitious gentlemen from the
different States, all on their feet at
once, on top of seats, clamoring for
the empty honor of being the happy
persons to put the motion to re-nom-
mate Mr.. Lincoln by acclamation.-
At length Mr.. Raymond's voice was
recognized above the braying of dis
interested patriots, and in five min
utes speech he brought order out of
chaos, and convinced every member
OF the convention that o domination
deliberately and unanimously made
BY ballot, would have vastly more
moral force than one made by noisy
reclamation.
He served one term in the 39th
Congress, without, however, adding
greatly to his reputation.
He was the leading spirit in the
Philadelphia convention of 1856,
which met to endorse Andrew John
son, and to distribute Federal bread
and butter, and as usual drafted the
address and resolutions. 1t is due to
the memory Of Mr.. Raymond to say
however, that with all his natural
conservative tendencies, he ceased to
follow Andrew johnson when it be-
came apparent that the course of that
apostate, and demagogue, was lead
ing directly into tho enemy's camp.
He was al five feet eight in
height; dark complexion; of remark
ably wiry, active and muscular ply
sique; wore his beard in the English,
or mutton-chop style; had piercing
black eye; was Of most insinuating
address and elegant manners; and
combined in his person those rare
qualities seldom possessed by the
same person, to-wit: great ability as
q writer and as an orator.
Tho vo.,no,, m~sn1