Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-07-31
EsTABLISHED 1910.



The telegraph this morning tells of
the death % the Hon. John Slidell.
The announcement is too brief, indeed
is noticeably meagre, when we recall
the career OF the deceased, who for
many years filed the eyes Of the lpeO-
DIE OF the United States, and shsTed
largely in the confidence Of the
Democratic party. We are told that
he died yesterday, where, how o.: OF
what disease we are not informed.
He has gone, and soon after his com.
raie (Afsson) Of the Trent, who was
more fortunste, in that he died in his
native land, surrounded by his friends
and relatives. Mr.. SlIdelPs ca.
reer was in q remarkable de-
gres q successful one. AT the bar, in
the Senate, and in the diplomatic field
he was alike noted Tor industry snd
perseverance. For the latter field,
though never successful, be had pc
cuIiar gifts, by which, under IS favor
ing circumstances as usually attend
our Minister'S abroad, he would have
msda high character as q diplomat.
When sent to Mexico by President
Pokl, the neighbOring republic was
already beyond any effort of reason,
his mission was therefore fruitleiSs;
and when sent TO Europe with MIR.
Mason to represent the new COnie6ie-
racy, it was in the face Of an
overwhelming public sentimert
that from the very first was
against the South on account
of slavery. For this, and the reason
that the United States Government
by its regularly accredited agents,
and by others, like Archbishop
Hughes, Of New York, and Bishop
Mcnvaine, OF Ohio, had already fore
stalled him, he did not succeed in
securing more than q left-handed neu-
trality, that served US only CONNER
cially. Mr.. Slidell was born in New
York city, in 1898, and was therefore
in his 18th year when he died. BE
commenced life as a merchant, but
not succeeding he removed to New
Orleans, where he embraced the law,
a profession in the practice OF which
he gained distinction. He took a
prominent part in the politics of LOU
isiana from the first of his residence
there, served as district attorney dur
ing Jackson's Presidency, was FREE
quentiy elected to the Legislature, and
filled out one term In Congress, from
1913 to 1915. In the latter year he was
sent to Mexico by President Polk, and !
in 1853 was elected to the United
States Senate to serve the unexpired |
term Of Mr.. S0ule, who had been APP
pointed Minister to Spain. He was
re elected for six years, and continued |
q member Of that body until the 4th Of |
February 1861, when he withdrew after
the delivery Of a speech, marked for |
the clearness with which he fOretOld |
the decadence Of the Northern mer-
chant marine before the privsteers OF |
the Confederacy. In the fall of the |
same year, he was appointed Conied-- |
crate Commissioner TO Europe, and |
running the blockade from Charles.
ton to Havana, he there en-
blrked fer England, on the
British mail steamer Trent. sOn |
the Sth Of November, he and Mr..
Mason were taken prisoners by Com
mOdore Wilkes, Of the San JaeintO,
who, by orders of the Government,
placed them IN Fort Warren, in Bos-
ton hsrbor, where they remained un-
til released and placed on board of On
English war vessel upon reclamation
by the British Government. Arrived |
in Europe Mr.. Slidell devoted him.
self assiduously TO the pursuit Of his
mission, and in every way that he
could, and ia many Wsys that he win
never get credit for, lab0ed success
fully for the South he loved. He had
much % do IN negotiating the cotton /
loan and was foremost in all the ef-
forts that We're made at the French .
Court i'm behalf Of the Confederacy.
Upon the close Of the war, two Of his
having. married there, lie
made choice ola residence in Europe,
where, until the last, he held the
highest social position and was re-
garded with favor by many of the
most distinguished public men.