The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-01-07

sent master on his return. But oh base In
gratitude There Is too much reason TO be-
lieve his favorite and trusted body servant ap-
piled the torch when the protecting guard was
withdrawn, and gave again to the 1re.neno
the mansion so lately rebuilt, and the library
il had cost his master so much expense, 30
many.years and so great exertion to accnmu-
late. It was q cruel, cruel blow; and when
| soon after met him in Columbia. anu NEIL
toned his 'lesses, especially mis- DOCKS anu
manuscripts, the latter the labor oil years, ne
turned on me almost fercely and said "falk
not to me about my losses when the Stats is
LOST Then spoke out sublimely. the ardent
patriotism, the grand devotion, the singular
unselfshness of this ]arge-hearted, glorious
man. He could not grieve for himself Wnen
his heart was bleeding at every pore LOT MS
PROSTATE State. =.
While the army was in Columbia, O little IN
| cident occurred which shows in what esteem
Mr. Simms was held by those who had given
the capital of his State to the flames. An
officer knocked at the door Of the house where
he and his daughters We're staying: AS ne
| opened the door, the officer asked, ARE you
Mr.. Simms?" Receiving IN affirmative answer,
he said, s'Sr, have enjoyed too much pleasure
from your works not to feel grateful. You be-
long to the Union, and have come to see II l
can render YOU any service" Mr. Simms
thanked him and said, :" AL ask is to have
this house and my family protected from intru.
sion." The officer replied promptly, - VIII
send you guard" which he did. and he was
thus spared much annoyance. me guard was s
composed of Western men, who were porte ana
attentive. Mr.. Smms gave them some BOOKS,
to relieve the-tedlum Of guard duty, for which
they were grateful, and one of them said, ISL,
you are as we'll known and loved IN the west
, as you are in the South"
One of the most beautiful traits IN the cnar-
acter of our friend was the Interest he took IN
&t ua npEPr f00
absorbed, to withhold his counsel 10 8 young
person whenever it was needed or desired.
He seemed to enter into their very feelings,
their hopes, their fears. their difficulties. How
he ourbed the impatleTce Of youth, kindly re-
proved Its presumption, afiectlonately stlmu-
lated its effort, gently corrected its iaulls,
wisely directed its aim. grayely re6uked lts
vices. many are now living to acknowledge
with grateful hearts. There Is not family IN
South Carolina where he visited, the young
people of which do not remember him us
kind companion, and mourn him as dear,
dear friend. What testimony In favor OF the
man who was everywhere courted as an ornar
meat and acknowledged as q teacher! Tne.
grief of these young hearts is the highest and
brightest tribute that can be paid to his
memory.
Mr.. Simms was impatient Of unjust criticism,
not that it angered, but 1t mortified and panied
him TO know that his critics could not Under
stand his aim and purpose; could no. rise to
the height and dignity of his thought. More
exclaim: 'sThe fools, the fools !! they can't see;
they can't learn; they can't be made to think;
It Is almost waste OF time to try to teach
them.n But In moment he would continue,
In more cheerful tone, 1--WE must work Oh;
my task is not yet done. Some Of these days
they will begin to think and understand. !
will not have labored in vain." And he DID
work on, lovingly, faithfully, until death laid
his hands on him and bore him away to
sleep and to rest Of course, he had fail
ings What mortal Is perfect? But In
recounting so much that was great, and
good, and beautiful. who will dare to remem-
Der the little specks that proved he was mem
Der of the great family Of humanity, TO- whose
service he devoted his. life, his energies and
the great gifts with which the good God had
blessed him. Sleep on, brave heart, thy work
was nobly performed, and generations to
come will read In thy books the loving, cheer
ing words which excite 10 performance, Stl-
mulate pride, encourage hope and strengthen
faith. Sleep on, good heart, loving friends,
men and women, mourn thy death, and will
teach their children to love ard reverence thy'
memory. Sleep on, loyal heart, in better times
thy stricken State will raise q shaft above thy
grave, to perpetuate he. gratitude for thy
lifelong service.
May it please your Honor, excuse me IT,
court. could not say less-I could not say
much more. Mr.. Simms was The best friend
ever had; other friends loved me as well, but
none were so able to guide me aS he. He
never hattered, never hcsitated to tell me
when was wrong, to encourage me when
was right, to support me un,ler trial. anu 10
reward me by his approval when had done
well. So much Tor myself. But Barnwell owes
q debt of gratitude to Mr. Si,nms. Here was
his home; and we are proud OF our fellow citl-
zen. He represented US In the Legislature
with manly independence, thought for us,
talked for us, wrote for US. We oil loved MIN,
we all admired him, we are all proud OF him:
not single heart In Barnwell that does not
afectlonately sigh out: COD bless his memory
May 1t please your Honor, move the court
do now adjourn in respect to the memory OF
the beloved dead.
His Honor Judge Platt said:
Gentlemen of the Bar-Althongh never had
the pleasure of personally knowing William
Gilmore Simms, his name had been familiar TO
me for many years as that Of representative
man in the world of American literature.
From all have read Of him. Infer that In his
tastes, requirements and pursuits Mr.. Simms
was not unlike his warm friend. Washington
Irving. He, too, was educated for the bar,
but feeling little interest In the dry business OF
the legal profession, devoted himself to itera-
ry pursuits and became bright and shining
light. AS the citizens Of New York'ar proud !
OF the achievements OF one Of these distin-
guished men, 80 may the citizens OF Barnwe!l
and OF South Carolina generally well be proud
of the other. Each in his respective sphere
illustrated his native State, and each died with
honors thlckiy clustered about him, leaving
behind memory associated not merely with
public men, but with all that. IL kind, cultl-
vated, brave and llanly in social life. =,
This is not my native State, gentlemen; yet
as the State Of my adoption, in which expect
to end my1ihe, it gives me sincere pleasure
when the members of the bar dwell in court
room, as on the present occasion, and rehearse
the virtues OF d deceased brother; and sym
pathize heartily with the feelings born Of such
an occasion. In conclusion. would suggest
that a-copy of the eloquent tribute OF Judge
Aldrich be published in the district papers,
and ask that's copy be also left with the clerk
OF the court. In memory OF our departed
friend, the court will now adjourn.
xDnrT THE State