The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-04-08
For the N. O. Democrat
Rev. Samuel Fnrman, ID. ID.

The subject of this notice was the sec
ond son Of Richard Furman, ID. D., OF
Charleston, y. c., one OF the original
trainers of the constitution Of that
State, where he lived for many years,
honored and revered by all classes for
| tinguished intelligence. His patriotism
and devotion to his country during our
Revolutionary war with Great Britain
were go conspicuous, and 80 powerful
was his eloquence in rousing the peo-
pie, that Lord CORVALLIS set q
price on his head. He was the
President Of the first United States
Baptist Convention which ever assem-
bled, and continued to preside over
that body till his death. SO beloved
was he by all classes In his native
often find his likeness not only In halls
of the wealthy and refined, but in hum
BILE dwellings of the poor.
DR.. Samuel Furman inherited those
qualities of mind and heart for which
his father had been distinguished. The
elegance Of his scholarship, his I'M
feigned modesty and superb eloquence,
made him sought and admired through
out his native State.
During visit to Edinburg In 1887 DR..
Furman was invited to attend q dinner
Dbl Iue hSSemoIy IIdli, VI Wulcu oCtx1oiou
the freedom OF the city was presented
to the poet. Thomas Campbell. A full
representation of the literati OF that
learned emporium met; Campbell COM
plimented the United States, addressing
himself to the only American present.
DR.. Furman rose. His wonderful eye
cleaned with enthusiasm, his finely
modelled voice swept like music through
the ranks OF scholars and authors
around him; his concise, brilliant and
gracefully turned periods elected vo-
ciferous, applause, and the comment.
"spiendid specimen Of American ora
tory" was whispered around.
Though admired and sought in the
most refined circles, DR.. Furman was 30
uniformly considerable and unassuming
towards the ignorant and poor that they
were his devoted friends.
Gen. Sumter, the hero OF many we'll
fought battle in Carolina, and friend
OF DR.. F1rman, having deceased, that
gentleman was solicited by the citizens
Of Sumter county to deliver the stern
old warriors funeral eulogy. In pres
ence Of vast concourse Of people DR..
Furman addressed himself to his task,
and with his wonted electrical delivery
Of inspiring thought and language
swayed the populace sometimes to
shouts of applause and sometimes to
the hushed stiffness Of death. Reach
ing grand climax the orator attempted
to descend from the rostrum, but was
literally borne along by excited crowds
to his carriage. DR.. Thornwell, whose
life has been lately written by the learn
ed DR.. Palmer, of this city, was present,
and at the conclusion OF DR.. Furman's
himself In Athens and listening TO
Demosthenes! Gen. Sumter has been
nobly eulogized."
DR.. Furman, previous to his visit to
Europe, was at the head of the Furman
University (named In honor Of his
father, and the young gentlemen there
graduated entertain for him the most
exalted sentiments OF love and esteem.
His method OF imparting instruction
was peculiarly effective and agreeable.
They loved him as father and revered
him as sage.
This college is now located at Green
ing condition. DR.. Furman was man
of exquisite taste and sensibility, COM
bining with strong intellect and pro-
found learning that graceful b01,ton,nlle
and sincere love Of his kind which
marks the high bred Southerner. And
dearly he loved his own South. Her
wrongs grievously afflicted him, but he
was willing to leave her destiny and his
own In the high hands Of Omnipotence. |
A great man has fallen in Israel, but |
his bright example remains, and long |
who love the good and gifted. This
feeble tribute to his worth Is offered by
one who knew him well. but lacks the |
ability to delineate one 80 superior yet
so modest.
Thou art gone to the gravel and, it's mansion
forssklng.
Perchance thy faint spirit In fear fingered long;
waking,
And the song that thou heard'st was the
Seraphlm's song"
It may be proper to state that the
lamented subject Of this notice was
the father Of Mrs. M. s. Whitaker, a
we'll known authoress Of this city.