Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1875-05-13


for his memory, now that he has passed
away.
Resolred, That the st. Mary's Read
ing Room and Debating Society tender
to his bereavedwif and family its heart
felt sympathies in their deep tribulation
and affection.
Resolrcd, That the usual badge of
mourning be worn by the members of
this Society for thirty days, as a testi-
monial of the profound respect we en-
terrain for the memory Of our deceased
brother.
Resolved, That these resolutions be
recorded among the records of our So
ciety, be published in the st. Mary's
BEACON and a copy of the same be
handed to the family of the deceased,
with the expression Of our sincere SYM
patty in their sad bereavement.
Resolred, That, as further mark of
respect for the memory of the deceased,
we do now adjourn.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN +. KING,
RoBr. G.. CoMBs,
ID. hAERIS CAMALIER,
Jos. II. KEY,
j. PARRAN CRANE,
Committee.
Pending action upon the report of
the Committee, Mr.. d. c. Hammett
addressed the Society, Us follows:
Mr.. President and Fellor-M embers:-I
never rose to address deliberative
body, when / felt so little fit, both in
mind and body to perform the duty
Were this an ordinary occasion should
not be present, feeling as I do, but our
deceased friend has too often called on
bis way to this Society and prevailed
upon me, sometimes even against nv
own inclination, to attend its meetings
for me to be silent and neglect its call
to night.
And now, thai We have met together
to adopt resolutions expressive of our
loss and sorrow. permit Inc briefly to
say that early in his manhood life our
deceased brother became thoroughly
identified with this Society. For about
l8 years he has served it well and faith
fully, never proving derelict, but ever
coming up like a man to the full meas
ure and discharge, of his duties, and
whatever merit it may now have, what
ever success it may row share, is in no
small degree attributable to the manly
exertions of James S. Downs. I believe
his heart ever beat responsive to the
very best interest and welfare of this
Society, for when the idea of erecting
the Town Hall, now in process of con-
struction, was first conceived, none en-
tered more zealously into the work than
he, and while some, yea, many of our
members, very literally indeed subscrib-
ed 500, apiece, he, out of the album
dance of his heart which never failed,
gave 5000, and would that he could
have lived, not only to have seen it
completed, but also to have realized it
as success.
The death Of James S. Downs has
created, not only in the hearts of the SUR
viving members Of this Society, by whom
he was SO highly valued and esteemed,
not only in the hearts of his widowed
wife and orphaned children, by whom
he was so much idolized, but also in
the hearts of this whole community.
an aching void which time, the grand
panacea, alone can heal.
In the death then of James S. Downs
his wife has lost a most devoted
husband. his children kind and most in
dulsent father, the social circle its most
agr, cable companion, the poor of ST.
Mary's County their very best friend
and OLDEST be efactor, aud this Socie-
ty one of its most valuable and impor-
tant members.
Mr.. President, I do not think these
resolutions speak too much. / do not
think, sir, there is one word in them
which the truth will not warrant, and
which the life and character of the
man (whose untimely death we mourn)
will not fully Justify. and therefore,
sir, / give them my unqualified endorse
ment. And in conclusion, will simply
add, that although our deceased broth
er, Downs, has passed through the clark
valley of the shadow of Death" without,
perhaps, realizing the full benefits of
the consohng doctrines of his religion.
yet let us not sorrow as those who have
no hope" but rather let US believe, that
through the boundless mercy of q lust
God, his spirit has been borne aloft. on the
wings of faith and charity, to the bright
realms above. and that, in company
with the spirits Of his loved little ones,
gone before, it now rests in the Paradise
Of God.
Mr.. Hammett was followed BY B.
Harris Camalier, Esq, upon the con-
clusion of whose remarks reported be-
low vote on the report of the Com
mittee was taken, and it was unani-
mously adopted, the President, DR..
Combs, then declaring, that the Socie-
ty is now adjourned as a mark of res
pect to the memory of the deceased.
Mr.. President aud Gentlemen I'm.
well as I am tonight, l trust that i
! may at least be able TO Law one laurel
leaf upon the memory of our departed
brother, which Is already decorated with
the choicest flowers Of eloquenee. /
should be content to have mourned him
in silence aud left him with the elo-
qucnt tribute Of the gentleman who has