The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-03-23
OBITUARY.
The LatelE1-Governor MELVILLE, of Mis-
stssfppt.

The LatelE1-Governor Melville, Of Mis-.
sissippt.
Departed this life, at his residence, Kirk.
wood, Madison County, Mississippi, on Wed
nesday, Sd March, instant, Hon. William Nc
Willie, in the seventy-fourth year Of his age.
This announcement will strike with grie
and sadness many hearts and minds in Soutt
Carolina, for althought twenty. five years have
gone by since the distinguished subject O.
this notice. left his native State, and though
nearly all his compeers have preceded him II
| ioinine that ssinnumerable caravan" yet there
are MANY still on the stage Of action to whoua
| that noble form was beacon-that rich voice 6
charm-that CHEEKY smile comfort-that high
intellect a guide and counselior-that lofty
presence and high bearing source OF admi:
ration and reyerence-that high patriotism and
nnyaryinp purity an ever present example.
Tho peer. associate and intimate fiend o1
Evans. O'Neall, Dunkin, Butler, Huger, Man
nino. Glover. Eimore and others OF Carolina's
brightest day, he survived them all save CHIEF
Justice Dunkin and Judge Glover, who yet
liye worthy Of their great past.
OF oil his college class, 1t Is believed but one
remains.
or those who graduated with him at the bar
but one-Judge Glover.
OF ali that splendid galaxy OF young men,
who started the race oflife in Camden, at the
close OF the war OF 1872, that noble set Of gen.
tlemsn who constituted the society OF Camden
in it's palmiest day, who gave 1t prestige and
tone which those worthy OF Of Their tsa aescens scent
companion, admired lender. GROWING arch,
was the last to tall.
Here in Kershaw District, his native land,
40 we'll loved, so faithfully served, it becomes
us to pause and sadly contemplate these last
PROSTATE rims OF the noble temple OF our past.
William Melville was born near Liberty
Hill, Kershaw District, s. O., on The 18th No
vember, 1895. His early education was &C.
ouired in that ycinage, and he WAS at school
in Camden, preparing to enter college, when
the regiment OF volunteers from this section,
Commanded by his father, Colonel Adam
McW:itie, was ordered to Haddrelrs Point. He
accepted the office of adjutant, and served in
that capacity TO the close OF the campaign, with
the appreciation OF bis superiors and the afec-
ton Of his subordinates.
Upon the disbanding OF the regiment ne i'm
naed1ately resumed his studies, entered the
South Carolina College in October, 1916, and
graduated with distinction in December, 1917,
was admitted to the bar in 1913, and at once
commenced q successful career as lawyer.
MIR. Melville was frequently in the House oi
Representatives from Kershaw District, and
had been for many years State senator, when,
in 1845, he resigned his seat and removed to
Mississippi, where he had established large
planting interest ten years before. There, in
a delightful home, in the midst Of charming
circle, surroua ded by all to make life desirable,
he passed the last twenty-five years OF his life.
He was not allowed in his new home to enjoy
that retired private life no 80 much prefer ed,
but was elected to Congress in 1849, and to the
gubernatorial chair III 1857. since 1o6o q cln-
ing health had confined him much to his home,
whore surrounded by q large and devoted fam
ily-preserving to the last his interest in pub
lie affairs-he enjoyed as much happiness as
ls allotted to man..
Fitted in taste, temperament and disposi.
ton in remarkable degree, to enjoy with
grateful appreciation the blessings which, We're
so Iaylshiy showered on bim. lew men have
lived 80 useful, honOred and happy lives.
Governor Melville was q man OF very rare
! com oinations, bis physical, mental and mora
stature was grand, and assisted, 10 doubt, in
forming a disposition, which made his lfs Q
Joy to himself and others.
Gentle ns powertul-simple ilf manner as
lofty in character-genial as pure, he was as
delightful 4 companion to the child as to the
experienced sage.
In his religious life he was earnest, devoted
and always cheerful, illustrating holy faitt
by q lite devote TO good works.
In his profession and in public life, his sue.
cess was measured only by his efforts. Those
efforts were not persistent, for life had higher
aims and objects for HIM. The claims. or
large family, la &c property and society were
eyactiug on his time and oungenial to 8 tastes
Like most men Of happy surroundings, cult
waited intellect, we'll balanced Judgment, deeE
interest and heavy stake in the well-being o
his country, combined with unwavering patriot
ism, he was conservative in politics and in tht
great Qualification struggle" Of 1882, '33
threw himself with great energy and power
into the struggle for the Union, was among
the most prominent of that party and in thei
behalf, in 1884. argued the TEST Oath Cause
before "The Great Court of Three That ar
sument, though badly reported, added to hi
The Is me conservatism and patriotism, the
eane adherence to principle, promoted him
thoroughly to identify himself with secession
in 1860. The term "rebel" was not new in the
history Of his faulty, and although his oloet
| he died as he had lived, conscious Of th'
right"
His style of oratory WINS most impressive
| Gifted with most commanding presence
great native eloquence, with no effort LOT tn
ornate, but easy, graceful, natural and forcl
BILE, his earnest frankness always caught tn
sympathy of his audience, and such was tn.
confidence in his perfect integrity and sinceri
| ty, that few men in South Carolina have eve
been more effective.
Even this brief sketch would be incomplete
were not reference made to Governor McWil
lies devotion to temperance. His close habits
| Of observation and almost unerrlng Judgmen
demonstrated to him early IN life that intem
perance was the greatest and worst OF our do
mestlc and social evils. His perfect honest!
and intense manliness induced him to throw
himself into the breach, to oppose its advance
when it took nerve 70 reprobate fashionable
vice, which had Its ramifoations everywhere
and support even from the pulpit.
Indeed, in few more years the writer OF thu
article might have said OF hin. as he once
heard him say OF another estimabls gentleman
'.gone beforeh- imam and boy, I have know
him for fifty years, and L have never known
him acy where else than on the side OF virtue.
Governor McWllio leaves large family IL
this State and in Mississippi to mourn hi
death. May they, in the remotest generation
emulate his great example. y.
DRY Goops.-Trade cannot bo justly de