The comet., 1880-01-17

wizard pen (for he was an editor)
turned the tide of politics into the
channel he had marked out; and lift
ed into places of position men that he
Ind moulded into his own political
views
doubt not, but that he eXerted II
greater influence during the short Pc
riod of his life, than any man who has
ever figured upon the political arena
of our State. He died in the prime
and yigor of his manhood. 1t was
said of Napoleon Bonaparte on the
night of his death, that one of the
most furious storms that had ever
swept over the Atlantic, shook the
rock ribbed island of st. Helena. Amid
the raging of the tempest this great
soldier reused himself from death
like lethargy into which he had fallen
and shouted these words Of command
to his officers; "Fete de arms"
But it was not amid the violence of
the storm that the spirit of this man
freed itself from its prison house of
clay. Lured into that path from
whence cometh sorrow and whose
final issue is certain death, he knew
the bitter end toward which he was
Fastening. But it. were charity TO
draw the veil over this last act in this
melancholy drama. l. ..
On beautiful morning in early
spring, at the house OF friend, Tor
several DAYS he had been in a wild
delirium and now he seemingly
slept quiet. BUTT was only tike the
lulI before the raging tempest swept
past. Rousing himself like lion and
throwing his arms above his head and
eyes glaring with the fierce fire OF
delirium and his noble form quiver-
ing in the embraces of death, he ex-
claimed in tones that those who heard
him will never forget. "I knew it!
/ knew it! l knew i'll" and as his
freed spirit leaped into another exist
ance, the body sank back upon the
bed and another victim was immola-
lated upon the altar of intemperance.
No tragic scene could ever equal the
death-bed horrors of this gifted man.
More than thirty years ago, a young
man came from the shores of the beau
tiful Chesapeake to dwell upon the
banks of the Pearl. Young, handsome
and confiding as child, his beautiful
life was the reflex of soul pure and
lovely. A few years after he came to
Jackson, he won the love and affec-
tions of beautiful girl, and before he
led her to the altar, he concluded to
make visit to his home and kindred.
With soul filled with happiness, he
babe adieu,to his friends and to her
to whom he had pledged the purest
and best affections of his heart. A
few weeks after his departure there
came rumors of tragic rencOntre and
a death by his hands. Lured by young
friends into those dazzling saloons
where wine and women are a pledge
Of infamy, he became embroiled in a
difficulty, and in self-defense slew his
adversary. So Beloved was he, that
)ne of our most honored representa-
lives from our own State left his seat
in the Congressional halls to defend
him. He was acquitted, and return
ed to the home of her whom he had
eft only few months previous with
such bright anticipations of happiness.
Turned away from the smiles and
affections of her for whom he would
n"vo given his life, lie began 10 drown
MS sorrows in the wine-cup, and in
Two or three years ended his life in
bitterness and disappointment and
low sleeps, I hope quietly, iafter
ife's fitful fever is over" near this
'ther victim of intemperance. But
he reader will ask why drag up from
he buried past the memories of these
nen? Let him who reads, ponder
rom what a height this fell destroyer
nay hurl his victims-and then
1