Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-02-18
THE LATE COMMODORE MAURY.

LIE LATE YUM MUUUhG MAOAA.
Remarks Of MIR. Anderson. of Rockbridge, in the
| Senate upon Moving the Adoption OF Resolutions
| in Relation to the Death Of Com. Maury.
| The melancholy intelligence which you have
formally announced, Mr.. President, will occa-
sion feelings of deep sorrow wherever it is re-
| ceived
In the presence of this sad event. can hard
y trust myself to speak of the character and
the history of the great who has just been re.
moved from the scenes of his earthly labors and
| usefulness.
1t was, sir, vouchsafed to no man of his gen.
GRAFTON to live to see SO much good accomplish
| ed, as the direct result of his own efforts and
discoveries and perhaps no man, living or dead
has ever contributed more to the practical well
fare of mankind This is not strange, for he
devoted his life to the advancement and i'm
proyement OF his race, and forgetting self, work.
ed for the good Of humanity.
History will place his name and his character
in the same rank with Newton and Humboldt,
for the field of his researches was scarcely less
extensive than theirs, and the benefits conferr-
ed upon the world have been as great
doubt whether we yet fully realize the
greatness of the work which he ACCOMPLISHED.
and the fame which he has achieved. His SIM
pie and unostentatious and laborious life was
only rendered conspicuous by its results His
trlumphs were the mastery of the laws of mat
ter, and were bloodless and noiseless but they
were more beneficial and not less glorious than
| the victories of war.
| There is not ship that moves on the ocean:
| there Is not an article of commerce used by
civilized man which does not tell the story of
his abors and his genius, and throughout civil
lzatlon, and especially throughout the maritime
world, he is rightly regarded as one of the great
est benefactors.
Others have perfected the systems which his
genius originated, and have, to great extent
| reaped the fruits of his discoveries but the
world Will sooner or later accord to him the debt
OF gratitude and the need of praise which are
| his due.
| What contrast is presented in contemplat-
| ing his life and character when we attempt to
| compare him with those eminent scientists of
his own times, who, with talents and genius
equal to his, instead of devoting their energies
| and abilities to promoting the true welfare and
| happiness OF mankind, have perverted the great
| powers OF their minds to destroyed the faiths
Of their people and assailiDg the religion of the
| Christian world
The browning honor of Commodore Maury s
life was that, devotee ofscience, he was faith
ful servant Of the living God ; and a fearless
| searcher alter abstract truth, be was an humble
and earnest soldier and follower of Christ.
He has been an honor to Virginia, an honor
to America, and an honor to civilization, and in
gratefully recognizing this, we do but honor
| ourselves
PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS
The following preamble and just resolutions
were offered by Mr. Anderson, of Rockbridge.
after the reading Of the dispatch to the Gov
ernor announcing the death of Com. Maury:
The intelligence OF the death of Commodore
| Matthew +. Maury has been received by the
General Assembly with heartfelt sorrow and
profound regret.
The learning and labors and genius, which
through busy lifetime he consecrated to the
| highest uses OF his country and mankind and
his selt-sacrlhclng and devotion to the State,
render it proper that Virginia should recognize
at the grave the virtues of her iliustIious son.
In the general grief which pervades thou
sands Of hearts IN both hemispheres, we but
give expression to the sentiment of all who
knew him when we point to his noble, earnest,
and unselhsh life, as beautiful illustration of
what the most ardent votary of SCIENCE animat-
ed by lofty Christian principle, may accomplish
| for humanity. But while Virginia admires the
virtues and genius of her lamented son, there
is no need that she should show them to the
world. The world knows him already His
fame, like his usefulness, has been limited only
by the confines OF commerce and of civilization,
and history will perpetuate the recollection OF
his character and achievements.
Virginia mourns his loss, and with his eff
cial associates and the loved ones of his house
hold, grieves over the sad event which has end
ed his labors on earth and rejoices in the as
surance that he has been borne from scenes of
suffering here to the blessedness and peace of q
happier and brighter world.
Resolved, 1.-THE House of Delegates concur
ring That the foregoing paper be adopted by
the General Assembly and be spread upon the
journals Of the Senate and House ofDelegates,
and be communicated to the family OF Commo-
dore Maury aud to the Faculty of the Virginia
Military Institute.
MIR. Anderson, Of Rockbridge. in presenting
the resolutions made fine eulogy upon the
character, life and public services of the deceas-
ed.
Mr.. Wynne seconded the resolutions, and
also eulogized Commodore Maury, not only fol
his great scientific attainments, but as Chris
tan gentleman, as Virginian, who loved his
native State with a warmth beyond comparison.
The resolutions were unanimously adopted
| and communicated to the House.