National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1878-02-15

On Monday morning, the i,h instant, Alexander
Hamilton Dodge called from this world. Rare
ly does n simple obituary notice occasion slrh sim
ccre aud widespread sorrow as that which aS-
nounccd the death Of Mr.. Dodge. Born In George
town. the HNty.thrce years Of his life had heen
passed within Its limits and there were few OF its
residents to whom he was Il stranger. Apparently
In vigorous health and endowed with unusual
strength, he seemed far removed from death. On
sunday, the 81 instant, there was no intmaton of
the comiiN message. In the morning he attended
service at 81. Johns Church. as was his custom, anl
partook Of the communion.
No one who saw his erect figure and firm step 0s
nc pG ~sed from the church could have dreamed that
upon his lips, Just wet with the sacrnmental wine
the solemn seal of eternity was soon TO be placed,
or that the eyes that had but jGs looked upon the
sacred symbols of the body Of our Lord should 20
shortly see Him in His glory. At his own home,
during the remainder of the day, he seemed IN his
wontCd health, md his Inst hours were passed
among those who were dearest to him upon earth
An hour before midnight, while in company
with one Of his brp;herS, the summons came.
There wa brief struggle, aud ihclsA inerciful un-
consciousness. Just Us the last sabbath hour
ended he Iaafi cciItl" away into the eternal sab
bath. WhenNsO lie gtych hls beloved sleep the
grim King ufTcrruris di,Cruwred and even N those
who SORROW most must come the comforting rciiGc-
ton that thOye are CsuCCiuy dear to our Huavcaly
Father, whom lie receives without warning, ana
that those lives have been especially acceptable 10
Him whose passage TO Heaven Is made 80 short ana
The story Of his life is marked by few striking
incidents, though II was not wholly exempt from
yicisSitudes. lie graduated at Princeton. and re-
turning TO Georgetown, engaged In business. For
many years almost unbrUkcu success was his lot
and The firm of which he was a member occupied n
very prominent position in mercantile and com.
mercal circles. In the great crash OF 1851, how
ever and through the failure Of a branch house
in New York, his honorablygain Fortune was
soon after Mr. Dodge became president of the
Georgetown Gas Company, and the remainder OF
his business life WAS given To the management OF
its affairs. Under his wise and careful direction It
has gained and maintained It's present prosperity
OF these matters II is easy 10 write, but II Is difficult
IN tell IN fitting words Of the noble traits that made
| his life remarkable. Conscientious almost to
fault in all business relations he held and strictly
| adhered to the most exalted views of honor and
| duty No mean or narrow thought could dwell in
his mind or find expression In his act. Singuarly
modest Us to his own abilities not all even among
those who were much in his society were aware OF
| the unusual powers Of mind with which he was en-
lowed or Of The wide range OF information which
| his powerful memory retained. II is not strange
that such q man should have been honored and re.
. speCtcd by all who knew him.
| But apart from those business characteristics
| were those qualities which endeared him to all
about him. As father and friend in all the varied
relations of his domestic life he inspired the tend
crest affection and he wa ps dSepy oUed as sE ne
family and his intimate friends, but by countless
numLeS who had experienced his kindly sym
patty and warm-h hearted interest.
| There are no words to tell how he was loved in
his own home circle by those who had felt IN each
day the generous, selfSacrincing care, the tender
consideration and tho anxious forcthought with
| which he surrounded them. II was In his home
life that the truest and most beautiful traits Of his
character were shown. Retaining his chccrfulnCss
under all trials and griefs accepting sorrow with
Christian fOrtmde,.he never seemed to repinc, and
was always light to his household Nor could
such u nature a. his exist except in the bruadesl
charity toward all men Even OF those who had
most deeply injured him lie never spoke unkndly
And 50 II was that when the sudden summons
came he was ready to go without fear into tho
presence Of the King; aud the tears that fell upon
his dead face were not the btterest that can be
shed, for only peace and rest were written on the
| still features.