Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-02-20
Obituary.

EUGENE SIpsEY CoNANT, born in Bran
don, Nov 10Th, ISIS, died at IL O'Clock sun
Gay night, rep. 9th, at the residence of his
York. The disease was progressive naral-
ySis, and its course was preciselV two
weeks. Strong hopes, founded upon his
excellent constitution and previous gem
eral good health, were entertained of his
recovery, until forty-eight hours before
his death. Every function of his life seem
ed stricken by the remorseless attack, ex-
cept hearing and respiration. His mental
faculties were clear until the last; and
though he suffered much for several days,
his closing hour was peaceful and beauti-
full.
Mr.. Commits worth was not of yoluble
or popular character. He was dif1dent,
almost to shyness, and particularly reclu-
sive in his habits. His reading was diffuse
and constant; his acquaintance with poll
tics and contemporaneous history extern
sive and his judgment of events and men
unusually accurate. On the moral plane,
his marked characteristic was faithfulness
and integrity. He occupied many posi-
tions of trust during his business career,
and in all acquitted himself honorably.
He was not one of those who are content
with perfunctory discharge of duty, but
gave his whole Soul to its performance
The persistent industry and energy with
which, day by day and month by month,
he wrought at his vocation, would be in
credible to those who only knew him as
student. or met him in his hours of leisure.
He was independent, almost to fault, and
just IN his dealings, to the last penny. I'm
der no circumstances could he be induced
to run IN debt, or outlive his income-a
trivial matter to mention, some may think,
but nevertheless, in the judgment of the
wise, a trait of true nobility.
His love for those who knew him truly,
was something painfully intense. His dis
position to Self-Sacrifce became, with
them and for their sake, a passion. He
could not endure or do enough to satisfy
his craving to serve them and promote
their happiness. In matters of principle,
he was unyielding to the verge of lmprac-
ticability. The purity of his life, too. was
remarkable. The writer has known him
from his boyhood. and never heard from
his lips q vulgar or unchaSte word or ali9-
sion. His temper was quick, but placable;
his disposition impetuOus, yet delibera-
tive his antipaties strong, but not unrea-
sonable. His religious convictions were
deep and broad; and his dread of cant
and ecclesiasticism possibly a little excess
sive. His faith in the cardinal doctrines
of Christianity, however, was firm and
constituted a power in his life. The disin-
terestedness of his character was display
ed during his closing hours in the most
impressive manner. Not even the sum-
mons of Death seemed able to divest his
solicitudes from the duties which he was
about to leave, and from the loved ones
who surrounded him. His mind was ac-
lively employed devising remembrances
and messages which he could express but
with the greatest difficulty; and nothing
seemed to SoOthe him except oit-repeated
assurance of the voices around him, of
their continued presence. When his speech
had entirely failed, he listened 10 passages
from the Word of God, and as he listened,
his face became peaceful, and in this beau
tiful manner-never to be forgotten by
any witne5s-he passed from earthly con-
SciOuSnesS. Now he rests among his native
love, faithfulness, and generous self-deyO-
ton reap immortal rewards, there must
his spirit find coRgenial home, and re-
new its activities. Z. Ii. Z.
New York. Feb. 18th. 1873,