New Orleans Republican., 1871-09-15
FUNERAL OF SENATOR PIERCE.


FUNERAL OF SENATOR PIERCE.
A Memorial Address.
Yesterday at ten o'clock, A. M, larg'
number of the friends and admirers of tn,
late Senator E. w. Pierce, assembled at tn
Methodist Episcopal Church, on the corne
of Calliope and Prytania streets, for tn
purpose of witnessing his funeral obsequies
Among the mourners we noticed Governor
Warmoth, members Of the Senate ant
House of Representatives, the Mayor Of tn,
city and Administrators, and other distin
guished citizens.
The following were the pail bearers
Mayer B. F. Flanders, City Administrator
John COckrem, James Lewis and John S
Walton, Senator P. +. Herwig, DR.. F. B
Albers, DR.. S. C. Russell and Superintend
ent j. B. Carter.
The memorial address was delivered by
the Rev. L. C. Matlack, D. D., who said:
A few days ago l sat down in the usua
meeting place of the City Board of SchOo
Directors with my friend whose remains
lie before us to-day. He then spoke of q
journey nOrthward soon, which he purpOsed
|
on an entirely different journey, alone, OF
unattended by any earthly friend, which he
thought not of.
How suddenly life ends! How many
many startled minds exclaimed, Dead
Is he dead ?" when the ominous notice was
given that brought us here to-day. And
how many of us even now declare, II can
| not make him dead
Perhaps the reason is, that he still lives
1t may be our souls will not accept as fact
the bare material bodily appearances, TO,
| we are nearer realities in sight Of quiet
death than when amid the busy throngs OF
men.
Alas, how much of life is sham! What
hypOcritic shows hide truth from sight
| The clearest mental vision is often at the
close of lite's cloudiest day. And the
treacherous quicksands Of life's journey are
in marked contrast with the certainty and
security Of everything eternal and in
the heavens. Those realities are now the
consciousness of him we mourn as dead.
His life gives this assurance to his friends
| Let us recall it to our mind.
| COuntenance-nOt form of face nor pro-
| file, merely. but expression-countenance is
an index of mans character. And the
| living face of our friend was of q clear
| type-pleasant and easy reading to a
| thoughtful man. 1t was no common pic.
y
! that model.
Leaving all other testimony which it
gave, | mention only this: that face told OF
! purity-physical, personal. social purity.
Consciousness Of integrity gives an imperial
crOwa of dignity to the human face divine.
How many faces, around US, have forfeited
their crown! His never was removed, even
by death.
Pure womanhOod and innocent childhood
confde in and cling to such manhood. A
wife would almsst worship it. A child would
believe its lightest word truthful as holy
writ. And society, in its occasional sane
moments, does honor itself by anchOring its
dearest interests near the door where such
mel dwell.
Position in society, although not invari-
ably testimonial to character, is Yet al
ways an opportunity for its exhibition. And
he had the opportunity. How it was used,
let the public opinion of him and the pub
lie respect for him testify. Equally worthy
men have not always been equally fortunate
in securing the esteem OF their political op-
ponents. There is, however, an old time
notion, found in an old fashioned book,
which l remember. 1t reads thus: IF a
mans ways please God. he will make even
his enemies to be at peace with him.
HIS character was not an accidental pro-
ductiOn, nor was it spontaneously developed,
but it was the result of parental training
piOus culture. and, finally. personal dis
cipline as Christian man.
His father was a Clergyman of Massa-
chusetts, whose son was one OF the good
boys so generally found in ministers tam
lilies. Actual statistics have exploded en-
tirely the once popular slander which yet
fingers in the minds of uninforned persons
about ministers children.
Early in life Edward w. Pierce made pro-
fessOn Of the Christian faith-united with
the church of his fathers-and was not
ashamed to stand by the cause of religion,
as you yourselves are witnesses. While re-
tanning his membership at the North. be did
not as thousands do, excuse himself from
duty to the church in this far-Otf Southern
city. Your own society bears his name:
your congregation was his religious home,
and your treasury received his generous
contributions.
As citizen of Northern nativity, yet
occupying municipal and State Offices
New Orleans, Chief Of Police, and State
Senator of LOuisiana-his influence was
rapidly developing, and generally recog
nized as one Of many who will yet be uni
versally regarded as the best friends of the
South and its much periled and abused III
terests.
Briefly thus we make our summary COM
plete. He was personally pure, of great
prObity in business dealing. and of unim-
peachable political honesty. And all this,
because he was possessed ofthat which con-
stitutes the highest style Of man: he was
Christian.
That one so loved and loving. as hus-
band and father, should die and be buried
alone, is a sad fact. No relative is near to
pay the tribute due. The absent wife and
children, however. are the pItiable ones.
He was most kindly cared for. His per-
sonal character had secured the legitimate
fruit of Christian friendship. And the
Christian men and women who ministered
promptly and constantly to his necessities
have earned the lasting graOtude of all who
loved him. Blessings on the sacred ties Of
Christian brotherhood
In the absence of your pastor, who, also.
is sadly stricken in the home Of his North
ern friends, the minister of the Ames
church was at his bedside the night before
he died. And his sudden departure from
the city leaves ME here alone to-day in
charge Of these solemn services.
will read note from Mr.. Hartzell:
when / entered, Mr.. Pierce recognized
me, and said: Good evening. Mr.. Hartzell.'
you were sick, and as your pastor was out
of the city, thought would come in and
see you Thank you; you are very kind
then advanced and put my hand on his
forehead, and, strOking his brow, said: Are
you feeling better this EVENING" He said:
Yes, am feeling easier After some other
remarks Of a general character. spoke to
him directly on the subjects of religion and
death. l told him he was very sick, and
his only hope was now in God: exactly what
the result of his illness would he we could