The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1871-08-05
Death Of John &ladell.

we are called to-day to record the Ceath nj
t mr. 1onn msa H,1dei gentleman who prior to the
lana ano Of the Union. This event occurred s :,
England, where the deceased and his family had
for some yealB resided, but ite particulars have
not yet reached us. Mr.. slidell was q native OF
the State Of New York, of English or Scotch
descent, and was at an early period Of his career
engaged 10 mercantile persuits. While vet .
young man he caHe to Louisiana, and CONNIE nc.
ed the practice of the law in which he attained
a prominent prsition. But his success as a law.
yer was due less to bis learning tIan to his ener.
~ Sa and "a cellsummate co business tact. He was not
lond OF the study of his profession, and we fnd
tnat ne soon manifested predilected for political
ilfe 1t afterwards proved to be the sphere OF
action for which he was best qualified.
ne was elected as Representative of Louisiana
In the lower house Of Congress, and afterwards
served her in the Senate, Of which body he was
q membcr when the secession of the Southern
states from the Union took place. Previous to
ms service az a Senator he was appointed by
PRESIDENT Folk as Envoy and Minister Pienipo-
in 1886, when the war between that country and
this broke out. Mr.. Slidell exercised o large
influence in the Democratic party of the Union
particularly in the two National Conventions of
that party held in Cincinnati and Charleston
prior to the war: He was largely instrumental
in procuring the nomination OF Mr.. Buchanan
and Alr. Breckinridge to the Presidency and
Fice-Presidency. BY the former he was regard
ed as neinstay and chief reliance. He oppos-
cd with sur reess, at the Cincinnati Convention
the nomin alton Of General Quitman to the
ice-Presidency, and afterw ards that Of Stephen
A. Douglas to the Presidency at the Charleston
convention. And he also performed prominent
part in the withdrawal of the Southern Senators
from Congress and in establishing tue Govern
ment of the Confederate States. He was sent
by President Davis to France as Minister Pleui-
potentiary, but was never officially received,
although nc enjoyed personal intercourse with
the Emperor Napoleon accorded to but few
We believe the Empcror's Government would
have recos snizcd the Confederacy but for one
fact-the existence of slavery. 1t has been sta
ted ON uthorty that the Emperor suggested
emancipation ut an oarly period of tho war, and
intimated It was the only thing i'll the wayt
MIR. SlidelFs name is interviewer with the his
tory of the war, having been taken with his
colleague, NJ. Mason, who his way Us
Minister to England, from the British steamship
Trent, by Commander Wilkes of tho United
Havana to Southampton. The correspondence
between England and the United States on this
sul!ject, and the subsequent release of the two
Ministers from memorable episode of the late
surrender of General Lee, and then took up lis
residence at Brighton, in England.
Mr.. Slidell was connected with Louisiana by
his marriage with Miss Deslonde, daughter Of
one Of the most respectable citizens of our State
This lady contributed greatly to the popularity
Of her has band in public life, both in this city
and Washington. Her brilliant entertainments
aud charming manners are vet spoken of by
those who were favored with her society as add
ing greatly to the enj0yments Of tho Federal
Capital.
Mrs. SliAcll died few months ago in England,
leaving - most interesting family. One Of her
daughters was married during the war to Baron
Erlanger y banker insParis.
Mr.. Slidell possessed trait Of character which
made him many faithful friends. He was al
ways true to those who adhered to luis political
fortunes, and had the happy faculty Of securing
the unrcserved confidence Of those who knew
him. He qnarreled with President Buchanan
on account of the prosecution of an individual
(whom he had recommended to office. because
he believed it to be unjust. He was an able
and patriotic man and We are not likely soon
to see his like again.-N. o. Bee.