The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-02-24
TRIBUTE OF RESPECT.

USION BRIDGE, MD., Feb. II, 1877.
At meeting Of the citizens of the town of
Union Bridge, called for the purpose of pay
ing their last tribute Of respect to our beloved
aud deceased friend and fellow townsman,
Joshua Switzer; when on motion Mayor Rine.
hart was chosen Chairman, and John B.
Eppley Secretary. The following eulogy writ.
ten by j. A., was read by Mr.. Mayor:
We are here to express our sorrow and pay
tribute Of respect to the memory Of our de-
parted friend, Joshua SwtZer. We all knew
him well. The great majority of us had more
than ordinary respect and love for him. |
have known him for forty years, and for the
last fifteen have tried to study him to my
advantage, and can, with propriety, say and
believe that have been greatly benefited by
his life. There was combined in him more
Of the high and noble traits of character than
in any other man i ever knew. He was
strictly honest, generous and kind hearted,
slow to anger, and would scarcely resent an
insult. He bore his illness with fortitude and
calmness; short time before his death his
physician told him that his end was fast ap.
proachiug, and that il he had anything to say
or any requests to make, he should endeRvor
to attend to them as soon as possible. He,
without any signs of sorrow, kindly thanked
the Doctor for his candor. He was always
ready to relieve the wants Of the poor, and
gave freely TO all those who called on him
to aid in raising funds for the purpose of
building churches. He was, in the full sense
of the term, a pubic-spirited man; in this
the loss to Union Bridge will be almost ire.
parable. With all those noble traits of char.
acter and usefulness, Providence has seen
proper TO seal his passport and take him
home We submit TO His decree Borrowing.
When in the church we all looked upon his
calm and serene eountenance for the last
time, my feelings were as they have often
since been, that the firm Of Anders 4 Light.
ner will often expect when the store door
opens TO see him enter, but, alas, he has
ceased TO come in and go out. No more
forever will he be seen on the streets of
Union Bridget No more, forever, will his
voice be heard in our town council meetings
No more, forever, to him, can we apply for
COUNSEL his seat is vacant and where in this
community, can we find one to fill it. In
vain do we look for one in all respects his
equal, know of no one, and now, Mr.. Mayor,
as he is no more with us, let us all try to EN-.
ulate those good and noble qualities that he
possessed, and whilst we live cherish and
practice them.
After the reading of the above, the follow.
ing preamble and resolutions were unani.
mously adopted, viz:
WHEREAS, Under an humbling sense OF the loss we
have sustained by the recent removal OF our beloved
friend Joshua switzcr, by DEATH and while the pre-.
cious SAVIOR Of his exemplary life remains fresh on
our memory, We constrained 10 publicly give
testimony OF his zeal and faithfulness In the cause
OF truth and justice; therefore,
Resolved, That we, the citizens of Union Bridge In
town meeting assembled, hereby desire To express us
tribute of respect 10 the memory Of our departed
fellow citizen our sincere sorrow for the loss sus-
ained, also our high appreciation of his usefulness
as man, his noble character, patriot and citi-
zen his generosity a neighbor. IN the broadest
sense OF the term, and his exalted moral worth a
christian gentleman.
Resolued. That we tender his relatives and imme.
date friends our heartfelt sympathy and pray they
accept our coincidence In their sad bereavement
Resoirod, That we deem Il due to the proprietor OF
the Western Maryland Hotel TO say that every aen.
ton the kindest consideration could suggest was by
them most cheerfuly rendered during his protracted
Illness also every facility for satisfactory arrange
ments ut the funeral for all Of which la behalf OF
the many friends OF the deceased we hereby tender
them our most cordial thanks.
Resolved, That a copy Of the proceedings OF this
meeting, signed by the Chairman and Secretary be
furnished the Westminster papers and the Liberty
banner for publication.
Rcsoipnd, That copy OF these resolutions signed
by the Chairman and Secretary, together with
copy OF paper containing the proceedings of this
meeting be transmitted TO his brother David switEer
OF Iowa.
DAVID RINEHART. Chairman.
JOHN b. EPPLEY, Secretary.