The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1870-11-03
In Meuiloriam.

John Roberts, in the G7th year Of his ace,
:" A man dies but his memory lives -
and the hallowed memories which enshrine
the virtuous dead are the inalienable in.
heritance of humanity. They are, alike.
the eNhaustless sources Of consolation and
noblest incentives TO virtuous emulation
1t has been proudly. but nobly said. tina,
the whole earth is the scpulchre Of illus.
trious men" An instructive life, however
is not always found in the history of great
men. The most ole,a appeals to the
charities Of our nature. come often TO M
from the tombs Of those whose lives were
simple and unobirusive; aud whose sturdy
virtues grew naturally, but strongly. from
an innate sense of justice purity, and recti
tnde. II is in this connection that the life
OF the subject Of this brief tribute, present,
US with model rs perfect in its compos
ton as 1t Is symmetrical in its proportions
Without being brilliant in intellect he
possessed culture that refined his thoughts.
aud impaired freshness To his intercourse
lie selected his friends with care: but once
the selection made, he " grappled them 10
bis soGl With hooks of steel To them he
was guileless, coniiding and generous. His
hdeliiy was proof against the failinps Of
temper; and his kindly nature always in.
chned him to the side of charity md Gnr.
glveucss. lie thus secured friendsb;ns
winch were as unselfsh in their motives NJ
they were durable in their enjoyment. The
friends OF his carly youth cIuns TO him
faithfully as years advanced: and his hst
days were sweeiened aud enriched by the
love ana affection OF many who had entered
win nm on manhood's career, and
travelled with him, amid trials and affiic
uonS, to tranquil and happy old age.
In social life his actions were dis,in
cuishcd by an atlability Of manner, a cour.
tesey OF bearing and miliness of tone and
language, which were the spontaneous
growth OF that magic simplicity of heart
which is the true complement Of an homes,
aud generous nature.
Fixed aud ieryid in his religious faith. he
was never intolerant or censorions of other
who differed from him. Decided and ON.
platte IN his political opinions, he never
made them offensive by obtrudinr their
discussion nnreasonably. Capable. to the
fullest extent, Of defending his religious
iaith and political opinions, be never pro.
Voked controversy bat if Jrawn into dis
| cussion, he enforced his arguments with Tho
ready intelligence and simple logic which
SO often Illustrate the snphisns while they
disarm the luminosity on an adversary.
Full OF the sweet charities which adoru
human nature. be svoidod all osten,atior
In the distribution Of his bounties. To The
poor and the sick he was ever a kind friend
a generous benefactor, anda loving ,isiiant
The orphan in his desolatou, the widow In
her bereavement, ever found in his intelli
| gence ready and efficient counsel in diff.
Guilty and in his benevolence, a most
liberal snccor in distressing need
But u was IN the intimate relations Of
domestic life that the full loneliness of hi,
character was illustrated. Here the bean
tlinl simplicity Of his nature had ampl,
scope tor action and development. 1t rev
TO be, as II always is in noble characters. a
| grand, impressive aud noble moral force
which attracted to il aud held togetber II
a bond OF unity and affection. every one Of
the family circle, from the wife of his deyo
ton, through the children of his maternal
| pride. down to the simplest domestic Of N,
household. As in the physical constitution
Of the individual, the perfection Of bealtl
consists in the equilibrium Of all the Win
functions so in the moral constitution. ,
fS'~ef Unlawful 10 tlic result OF the har
mony OF all the moral attributes of the sogl
This harmony was rs nearly realized in tn,
character Of Mr.. Roberts as it could be in ,
nature where absolute perfection is unat
tainable. Il was because of this exquisIt,
harmony, that he died without leaving Al
enemy to forgive or be forgiven. IL wa
this that gave fidelity TO his friendships
benevolence and charity to his intercours,
with men endearment and devotion to hi
family; and earnestness and zeal to his re
ligious convictions. 1t is this, too, tina
will hailow his memory and keep il gree,
and fresh in the hearts Of so many. Ii wa
this that made him benefactor OF the poor
most useful citizen, and an honest man
1t is through this that we reach the outline
and proportions Of that lovely model o
character which is well to cherish aud imi
| tate.
We may say with great truth, as was one
said on an illustrious occasion, BY the mos
eloquent of orators. his life hath receive,
its ample measure, happy in its continuance
and equally happy in its conclusion