The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-09-13
DR.. LaBorde's Tribute TO JndRe O'Neall
It is pleasant to find, amid tho carkine


1t is pleasant to find. amid the carking
cares and personal discomforts Of these
degraded times. instances Of quiet con-
tentment and happy serenity in the cul-
tivation OF letters, and in application to
the elevated studies which never tire,
but always strengthen and console. It
is the Christians privilege, when sin
abounds and abuses are rife. when wick.
edness aud miserable delusions prevail,
to project his thoughts and place his
hopes in that other world Of purity and
bliss, into which those will have the eu-
preme happiness of entering at last who,
overcoming the temptations which beset
them here, keep unspotted garments and
unblemished consciences. Tile scholar,
while zealously discharging the Chris
siaa's duty and indulging with others
the Christians hope, has the inestimable
additional advantage OF vast field of
thought, whole past world OF rich
learning and accumulated treasures of
research, over which he may expatiate to
his hearts content, and where he. may
nourish and feed his intellectual and
moral forces with the very life-thoughts
and heart.aspirations Of the departed
great and good.
"And Wtsdom's self
OFT seeks to sweet, retired solitude.
Where, with her best nurse, Contemplation,
She plumes her feathers and let's grow her
That in the various hustle Of resort
We're al too ruffled and some time impaired"
Placed as We are in the whirl of events,
in contact with much that is revolving
aud disgusting, compelled to look no
less constantly than hopelessly upon
moral deformity-the very air being
fnMd with official and personal corrup-
tion-we are almost ready to envy the
composure of DR.. LaBorde, in his quiet
study, communisS with the illustrious
departed. and tracing with the pen of
fond recollection the lineaments of
worthy of the past. We have read his
'Tribute to Hon. j. B. O'Neall, LID"
with much interest, and feel, as we turn
its glowing pages. that it must have been
labor of love to him, to prepare this
summary of the life and labors of one
who lived in better days, and adorned
them by his activity, his integrity and
his genius. His heart warns with bis
theme, and with crowding memories of
the time when there we're intellectual
giants in the land, and when private
worth and unsullied integrity were not
shadowy, by gone visions, but actual and
tangible realities. His work is rightly
named tribute. It abounds in com-
mendation. But it could not we'll be
otherwise. The life of Judge O'Neall
was 80 pure, so earnest, 80 devoted to
duty, 30 fully and vAriously and phi!an-
thropically employed, and bis blemishes
we're SO slight and few, that it is now
almost impossible in the retrospect to
see anything but what was excellent and
praise worthy. Before giving some ex-
tracts, which will set both author and
subject in q favorable light, we add. that
the brochure is very agreeably written, in
the authors weil-known pleasing and
copions style, and illustrated by literary
references, which his extensive reading
enables DR.. LaDorde to employ so readily
and happily:
JUDGE O'NEArL's BIRTH. EDUCATION
AND DISTINCTIONS john Belton O'Neali,
late Chief Justice of South Carolina,
was born in Newberry District, April 10,
1898. He was sent TO school when he
was but five years of age, and has
thought it of sufficient Importance to
record in the brief autobiography which
he left, that she recollects to this day
with what avidity he read the first book
placed in his hands-the Pilgrims Pro-
gress.'" Who can declare the power ex-
erted over his life by this work of almost
superhuman genius! work which gives
every shade of character, whether good
or evil; opens up every tlelusion, every
by-path and peril, every conflict and
support. His education was purely
English. until he reached his 10Th year,
when he was sent to classical academy.
he was regarded as youth OF fine
talents and capacity, and made rapid
progress. It was here that by constant
practice he laid the foundation for ex.