Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1876-07-28
THE DEATH OF JOHN t. sTRATTON

THE DEATH OF JOHN t, STRATTON.
the large procession which followed
the remains of John T. Strstton to the
grave late yesterday evaning was an in
dicstion as to the universal sorrow
which weighs upon the community on
account of the death Of this old citizen.
Mr.. Strstton located in Memphis thirty
years ago, and soon established repu-
tation for solid business capacity. His
high position was the growth Of a sturdy,
infexible honesty, and strict attention
to business. Mr.. Shstton was a man of
convictions, and Unalterably true to
them. Lacking quiekness Of spprehen-
sion, he was slow in reaching conclu-
sions, but when he had formed them, he
adhered to them with uncomfortable
tenscity. No Drawer man, morally or
physically, ever lived. The intellect Of
Mr.. Stratten was vigorous-what he
lacked in culture he made up in robust
strength. He was public.spirited and
active IN all that he thought would con-
tribute to the welfare and success of our
city. He never held back his
means or his great influence in
the cause Of Memphis. He was
3 msn of the highest integrity. When he
gave his friendship it was with warmth
and zeal. What he thought right he did
with his whole heart. We have no SYM
pathy with fatalism, and yet we sra free
to ssy that Mr.. Stratton's destiny was
on him, and he could not escspe it, re-
luctant as he was to confess it. When
declining health sdmoDished him OF his
inevitable doom, and finding that the
wealth which he honestly earned, was
nothing but ashes. he fell back for con-
ISOLATION in the religion which he pro-
fessed, on the purest social pleasures, and
simplest domestic affections, oR the love
and devotion Of his wife, and in pouring
forth On his children the refiuent and
purified tenderness OF his soul. All old
tastes seemed to fall away from him,
and he nestled down like child with
the tenderest love for his family. The
youth in search Of an example by which
he may draw inspiration will find in
the life of John T. Stratton
those noble traits of character which |
can be initiated without failure. 1t has |
been taught to our youth in their text
books, and acclaimed to them from the |
rostrum, to dsspise the simplicity of q
quiet life, aud to engage in the glittering
show OF public career. But since, in
the recent past, we have so often wit
messed the sad spectacle of regulations
shattered when they seemed most Sc
cure, statesmen struck down when their |
fame was most dazzling, it is evident |
that the reputation and power Of public |
men are capTicious and the most unreal /
of all realities, and tina. such a life as
John I. Strstton left to the community
in which he lived can always be imi-
tated with safety. Whether in the re-
tirement OF home, or amid the excite
ment OF active business life, hesorrowed
over the decay Of public virtue and the
OF the times. His absolute
singleness Of purpose, purity OF life and
mental equipoise, never deserted him
de was type Of the highest Of ali am
bitions-the good citizen. He was, first
OF all, honest; to that quality he added
purity Of thought and life. Thus an
other one Of cur oldest citizens has
passed away; and Of the long list who
have recently died, Elmwood has never
taken to its friendly bosom purer or
better man than John T. Stratton..-