Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-02-01
IEssE n. MoMAHoN n
Ii IN FuneraI- Grafton by Rev. Father
HeIiy-Tributes Of Respect by Citi-
Gems and Members of the Press.

been seen in Memphis. The demise OF
Jesse II. McMahen seemed to bring all
classes of people together to mourn for
the loss of great and good man, and
pay a just tribute Of respect to bis mem
DRY.
AT ST. PETERS CHURCH.
At three o'clock in the afternoon the
remains Of the veteran editor and re.
spected citizen were taken from the Pea
body Hotel aud placed in the aisle Of st.
Peters Catholic church, where the SER
vice for the dead was celebrated in q
most solemn and impressive manner.
The sacred edifce was crowded with the
elite of the city, of all denominations Of
Christians, hundreds who could not
obtain standing room within remaining
outside. Rev. Father Kelly, Pastor Of
St. Peters parish, delivered the funeral
grafton. 1t was an eloquent discourse,
in which the Christian virtues and noble
characteristics of the deceased were pic
| tured in the fairest and truest colors.
THE GRAFTON.
We present our readers with synop-
sis of the Rev. Fathers Grafton. He
commenced by saying few words would
be required for those to whom he spoke;
many words would be work of superer-
ogation. No words of his, no force of
reasoning, no power of eloquence could
elevate the deceased in the estimation of
his hearers. We are here to pay the last
duty of respect, to perform the last of
fces of religion, over the remains of
| departed friend. The spectacle present
ed-the silent, cotiined dead-is not
new spectacle, and vet it always strikes
us with surprise. Nature ebhors death
and resists it to the bitter end. 1t is sad
to think that those whom we have so long
known, those whom we have respected
and admired, should be taken from our
midst. 1t is sad to think how they are
carried away to their narrow cell and
hidden for ever from human eyes. 1t is
sadder still to think of the work of de-
strnction that goes on in that subterra-
mean tenement But, after all, only one
half of us can die The body may per
ish, but the soul will live on forever.
Provided it be well with the soul, all is
well. From the religious convictions of
the deceased we have reason to hope for
the best 1t would be useless to speak of
his life to those who knew him SO long
and loved him so well. With few early
educational opportunities, he raised
himself to position Of which any one
might be proud. 1t was to the press he
chiefly devoted his energies. He deser-
vedly won for himself in his profession
the proud title of the 'Nestor of the
South" He entered reluctantly into the
late struggle between the North and
South. His voice was for peace, but not at
the price of dishonor. he occupied
position in the Confederacy which might
have given him fortune. He was not
one Of those who rose to wealth by tram
ping under foot the fortunes of others.
No ill-gotten gains stuck to his fin
gers. he passed through the war
like the chevalier of old, with
out fear and without reproach.'
But it is not on these grounds zoe base
his merits. We honor him most, because
after an eveutful and chequered life,
because after the frosts of many winters
| DHu Wulttucd MS maui no Ontoiou inso
the bosom of the Catholic Church. NO
earthly motive could induce him to do
so; twas firm, unwaverlng conviction.
On his dying bed he protested his full
faith in that Church; he chung to 1t as
the haven of his hopes. Many OF you
may differ with him in belief, but none
of you will question the sincerity of his
motives. If one trait of character dis
tinguished him above another, it was his
incorruptible honesty: 1t was princl-
pie he brought to bear in every transac-
ton of life. He was emphatlcally an
honest man, the Hoblest work OF God.
The speaker then went on &c show from
the Bible why we should bear patiently
ell the Tile OF life. What in our poor.
human judgment we think an evil, is
| often blessing In disguise. Death IS
so far from being destruction, that it is
only then we begin to live. II is then
"the oorrnptible will put on incorrup'-.
ton, the mortal will put on Immortality"
Death is a separation, but from what
From a world in which the good man
always lives as stranger, 10 which he
finds only scandals to afhiet his feith;
rocks which make his innocence trembiei
| dangers and temptations which, IN spite
of his efforts TO the contrary, divide his
affections between heaven and earth.
| Does death separate him from his goods I
1 All who knew Colonel Mcmahon, knew
| that if he was not wealthy, it was on &C.
count of bis liberality to his friends. He
did not lose his goods by giving them in
| aims; be only sent them before him to
4 L l.. II tbar