The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-03-22
Tribute of Respect.

At the regular meeting Of the West End
Debating Society, held on Saturday evening.
March 10th, the President John T.. Diffen.
baugh, Esq, in his place, very ieelingy and
appropriately called attention to the demise
OF our most worthy and much esteemed broth.
or, Mr.. A. Il. Durbin. He said :-Members
OF the West End Debating Society, il becomes
my duty as President of this Association, to
announce TO you the painful news of the death
OF our much esteemed and worthy member.
A. II. Durbin. In his death our Association
sustains the loss Of one Of the first movers
and leading spirits in connection with the or
ganization of our Society; loss that every
member cannot fail to acknowledge as almost
II not entirely irreparrable. His absence from
the Association during his affection has been
s0reiy telt by every member Of the Society.
hat voice of wisdom aud el0quence ia the
discussion of all questions with which he was
connected never failed to command the great
est degree of respect and profound attention
from the entire audience. That gentemanly
department, that honesty and uprightness with
which he always conducted himself have en-.
deared him TO every member of this Associa.
ton, and while there is no one who regrets
| tue loss OF 50 valuable a member more than [
do, yet to me the event was one that was
mingled with feelings of pleasure as well as
OF grief and sorrow. | have been a constant
visitor at his bedside during his entire alilic.
tioni endeavoring to administer TO his every
want aud comfort as well as the relief of his
sutierngs. | can truthfully say that | have
never witnessed such intense suiferinas before
in any creature of humanity, and God knows
that never desire again to witness the same.
No tongue can tell norpen describe the amour,
OF pain that man endured, and when the mes.
senger Of death announced his departure, It
WAS TO me a pleasure of no ordinary degree
yea, rejoieed to know that his suffering in
this world had ended Yet as intense as his
suherngs were he endured them with that
christian foriitude and resignation, that none
but martyr TO his Country or his God, could
have endured. He seemed to be endowed
with the patience Of a dob, aud | have no
doubt that he is now reaping the rich reward
Of his labors in the bright mansions of eternal
BLISS and happiness. And now, gentlemen.
allow me to say in conclusion, that vices he had
none. Let us learn to initiate his virtues so
that When We shall be numbered with the pale
nations Of the dead, the pages Of history may
record for us the same god name as L viii
for our brother A. H. Durbin. Asan expres.
sion Of gratefulness to his memory and tribute
OF respect to his bereaved and sorrow.stricken
family, think the society should give that ex.
preston by the adoption of such preamble
and resolutions as will be appropriate to the
solemnities Of the occasion.
Remarks were also made by n number of
the members, all Of whom spoke in the high.
est terms OF the purity and excellence of his
character. The regular business and discus
sion Tor the evening were postponed through
respect to ms memory, and on motion il was
decided to publish resolutions expressive of
the Society S appreciation of the deceased, OF
grief for his loss, and Of coincidence with his
sorrow.stricken family.
committee, consisting Of Messrs, John
Matthews, Peter b. Mikesel and Levi Evans.
was appointed by the President to draft pre-.
amble and set of resolutions, wha after retir.
ing for few moments, reported the following;
WHgsEAs, 1t has pleased Almighty God h.
His infinite wisdom to call from our midst our
upright and estimable brother, Mr.. A. K.
Dnrbin, whom the Society regards as the
prime mover in its foundation and leading
spirit IN its continuance: who BY his gentle.
manly conduct, and mild christian deport
ment, had endeared himself to every member;
who by his extensive knowledge and his read
iness as debater, had contributed much TO
our entertainment and instructions and who
by his remarkable candor and honorable fair.
"VsS won 'nc respect anu iunlraton oil every
opponent, be it therefore,
hesoired, That in the death of our brother,
we have lost member who was deeply inter.
ested in the general welfare and favorable
standing Of our Society; who labored more
than any other for the seeurement Of the OBJ.
jects aimed at by our organization, and whose
presence was alwaysa sure guarantee Of order
and decorum, and that our loss in his death
is almost irreparable.
hesoired, That the Society does most sin.
cerely sympathize, and most heartily condole
with the bereayed widow and daughter in this
their great affection.
Resoired, That copy of these proceedings
with copy of the Presidents remarks, be
sent TO the griefstricken family.
Resoired, That these proceedings and the
President remarks be published in the city
papers.
JOHN I. DIFFENBAUGH, Pres't.
U. b. MlKTsELL, See.