The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1870-04-06
Death of the Hon. Pierre Soule.

/ we are palned to learn the death
| of the Hon. Pierre SOule in the city
of New Orleans on the evening OIL
Saturday, the Goth of March last
| The life of the deceased States.
man was an exceedingly eventful
one. He was born in France in the
year 1903 and was educated, we
believe, at the Polytechnic school,
Soon after attaining his manhood
he entered upon the arena of poll
tics at a time when the political
condition of France was extremely
unsettled. Imbihed with Repnh-
lican principles and writing with
vigor in the political papers, he
soon attracted the attention of the
authorities and was forced to flee
to America to save his lite. About
forty years ago he came to New
Orleans, mastered the English Ian
guage and was soon qualified to
practice Law, which is substantial
~ the same law as obtains in his
native country. He rose rapidly
in his profession and was soon &C
knowledged to be unrivalled as a
brilliant advocate in jury trials.
He was particularly distinguished
as an advocate in important crimi-
nal cases.
Mr.. Soule's first appearance as a
politician was in 1915 when he was
elected a member of the Conven-
ton which framed new Constitu-
ton for the State. On the Sd of
February, 1S47, he was elected to
the Senate of the United States to
fill the vacancy Occasioned by the
death of Hon. Alexander Barrow,
but as the Hon. Solomon w. Downs
was elected at the same time fo1
the full term, his term expired in
one month from the time OF his
election. Two years afterwards,
however, he was elected for the
term of six years commencing on
the 4th of March, 1S49. Mr.. Soule,
on his appearance in the Senate,
Immediately took a high position
as an eloquent and vehement de-
batter. He was a Democrat of the
strictest state-rights school and
was an able and faithful follower
of Mr.. Calhoun in his efforts to pre-
vent the encroachm ent upon the
rights of the Southern States which
were rapidly hurrying the country
on to those troubles which broke
out into open hoStilities few years
In the discussions on
the compromise measures of 1850
he was a conspicuous debater on
the Southern side of the question.
On the accession OF the Pierce
administration in 1858, MI. Soule !
resigned his seat in the Senate to
accept the mission to Spain. This
was diStastefUl to the
French government, which plohib-
ted his passage over French terrific
~. There was nothing in our re-
ations with the Spar n govern
nent which called forth any spe-
cial manifestation of diplomatic
ability. Mr.. Sou|e was, therefore,
or four years in the enjoyment of
/ pleasant and dignified retirement
abroad. His name was annexed to
he ostend manifesto, WHICH gave
Tim some nofOriety at the time,
perhaps more than bis colleagues,
or the reason that Cuba belonged
o the government to which he was
accredited. This was the last pub
lie civil Office Mr.. Soule ever held.
lie was a warm advocate of the
south during the late civil war,
vas for time incarceratrd in
Northern prison, and was offered
Generals commission by
President Davis.
After the war Mr.. Soule returned
o the bar in New Orleans for the
purpose of recruiting his shattered
ortunes. In the midst of his sue
,ess his reason was dethrOnpd and
lis splendid genius passed under a
loud from which it was never
gain to emerge. AS in the case
# Swift the stree decayed at the
OPP" A merciful Providence de-
reed that his soiourn Oh earth,
wing and blasted as he was,
hould be of short duration. /,
-~o~~-o~-o-e>>-~o~>~~>-
70 The caucus of negroes, carpet !
aggers and other thieves--a few de-
ent but misguided citizens lent ii
heir countenance, we believe ,
'hich, under the name of the Louis !