, 1870-05-31
OBITUARY.


| From Tie albany Ert1.ing Journal, Nay Is.
George v. Demers, the editor Of the Eces-
8 O'Clock this morning, in the thirty fourth
year Of his age. He has been great sune1er
for two Years hut with 3 constitution Of won
derfnl tenacity and yigor, and a courage, res
olution, and ambition Which no pain OF weak
netB could daunt or overcome, he continued
active almost to the very last. Thus suddenly
vanishes one Of the brightest intel1ects in the
! newspaper armament, which but yesterday sp-
peared in the horizon. winning the admiration
OF all for lts superior brlGancy and power.
We have not the heart to dwell upon his his
| tory, attainments, and genius. He was writer
OF singular versatility, vigor, grace, aud pun
gency. He was an indefatgable student,
| thoroughly conrersant with all subjects,
| whether Of literature, ar, metaphysics, morals,
history. science, or politics. both home and
accurate reporter, some Of his feats IN that re-
spcct being very remarkable. He Was, also,
| an able and effective orator, enchainiug an
audience. by his eloquence, and playing with
| his emotions IS = musician with lis instEu-
ment, drawing from them ut viii either mourn
fnl cadences or joyous strains.
Mr. DemerB waB educated at the printers
case, and by the side Of tho midnight lamp.
He formerly was reporter and editor on the
saratogfan and the Daily Times, making an
enduring reputation on the latter pspe1-a
reputation which he has confirmed and rem
dered rhetorical since his connection with the
Evening Journal Amoug tho notable Incl
dents Of his brief career, mona stands more
prominent, or made deeper impression upon
the politics Of the Statc, than his memorable
speech upon tho emancipation question in the
convention in 1868, in response to an eloquent
and elaborate argument made By the late lion.
Henry J. Raymond. Confident in its tone,
loyal to liberty in it's every sentence, moving
in its impassioned oratory, it inspired the con
yention With the enthusiasm and fidelity Of
the speaker. and gaze tone to its action,
Another Incident, quite Is characteristic and
effective, although not 80 apparent to the pub
Lie in it's origin, relates to his course in connec
ton with the abandonment, BY Andrew John
son, Of the Republican party. It had been lis
policy to maintain relations with the admins
tration rs long az possible, for the sake Of the
ends which might thereby be the better at
tained. The yeto Of the Civil Rights BILL
intent Of thu President, and demonstrated
conclusive1y that to adhere to him longer
would but paralyze the energies Of the Repab-
Immediately upon 6niahing tho reading Of
the message, which was accepted as sundefing
the relations between the acting President and
the party which had elevated him to power,
mr. Deners took his pencil in hand, and, as
rapidly as man can HTite, put into form the
review which bad assumed shape in his mind
while reading the Presidents message re-
view which was copied from one end Of the
country to the other, and commended BY many
journals as fitted to take rank among ths best
and ablest yindications Of the duty OF Congress
in the emergency which then existed.
MI. DemeEs had a marvellous memory. He
cttssen reported speeches aud lectures with the
most perfect verbal ACCURACY, from memory
alone. Upon one occasion Dr.. Magoon, re-
Gently Of this city, delivered lecture in Troy
on the Architecture Of the Middle Ages II
was full Of technical phrases and characteristic
eccentricities; but it was published the next
day in the e1aet words Of the lecturer, to the
astoniehment OF the Doctor, and to the wonder
Of all who knew the circumstances under
which it was written out. Upon another oc-
casion, the late Governor Raymond delivered
speech il Troy which he demred reported
He took Mr. Underhil1 with him for that ppr-
pose. Mr. Demers heard the speech, but took
no notes OF it.. The next morning he wrote It
ont in full, and Mr. r. adopted Il in prefer
ence to the report Of the stenographer. This
faculty VAS Of much assistance to him in his
professional 1abors, and contributed greatly to
the accuracy and interest Of his editorials up
on statistical and historical subjects.
The reorganization Of the editorial depart
rnent OF the Journal, rendered necessary by
the death Of NJ. Demers. will be announced
hereafter- Meanwhile, Mr. Dawson vii re-
aume the general supervision Of its columns.
The Minnaarr1;a fkTi,,,, Y.xH.... - IL