The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1881-04-15
The Dead Carolinian.

A few days ago, General VI. W. Gary was in
Augusta, apparently in the fullness Of vigor and
heath. lie is now no more. Our whole com
munity was shocked TO hear of his sudden de-
mise which rs unlocked for as the fate OF
Ships th.t have gone down at sea
When Heaven was all tranquility.
Death Come in whatever shape il will, i'll
Infancy, in the young morn Of life, ut middle
age, i'll the twilight of existence, with sudden
ness or after lingering years of pain, IS always
pathetic. In tile case of General Gary II Is pc
cularly stnrtlteS, not merely on account Of the
violent transition from lusty manhood TO still
ness Of the heart but because the life that passed
unscathcl amid u hundred battles should have
yielded to the insiJOus attack Of an acute and
almost unheralded disease. VIC Mo knew him
best and appreciated him most feel most kecnly
the loss; for while hc WAS stern TO his foes so long
ns they kept the field in arms, tic was loyal and
staunch and true to friendship. NJ krYhtHcr
soul ever went forth to the ranks o. war than
NJ. W. Gary. No cavalier ever wiclric l II brighter
and better bla'lc in defense of his section and
his principles. No Drawer warrior ever led
troops into the thckcst of the fray. Few of
the glorious men Of the SOuth--thc men Of Gl
ever SO rapidly and worthy rose from rank
to rank until only the very lotticst prizes were
missed. AS he was the idol of his soldiers in
war, he was their chosen champion in the nn-
cry truce that followed, and the peace that came
largely through his influence AMI his leadership.
lie was nothing of II courticr; therefore the
mere baublcs of politics were dispensed to 9Th
crs. But TO him, more than any one person IN
South Carolina, is due the exceptional glory #
Geil' Of reconstruction, rescning civiiil"tion
from organized barbarism and making il posi-
bic for others TO wear and holt the houOrs OF
place and prctrrmcnt that they now enjoy. lie
was serious. determined, energetic man.
There was no disguise Of his sentiments, which
were fixed and ultra and there was no hcsta.
ton in cpnsunmatug the plans his quick and
tenacious Judgment approved. lie had cnor-
nous faith in himself-miscallcd vanity, but
really the inlvidualsm of u strong. uudauntcd
character which knows its mastcrtul power and
has the valor to maintain its hold upon the
world lie succeeded rs n soldier, as II states
man, as n planter and rs n lawyer. Ills mind
was cultivated, grasping, courageous, sclf-p)S.
scssc,, and as versatile as il was prufpunl.-
Fobcs he had, MS all have; but his good quail
tiles far surpassed whatever was imperfect in
his nature. lie lacked reverence, pea haps, and
missed, we think, some of the divincSt gifts
and blessings; but his natural virtues were
rare and radiant. Ills nobler part will he re-
mcmhcrcl 4 for many day in the Palmetto State
nad in Georgia, AMI by all whom he ever met.
His more earthly frnilrics will he buried and
forgotten. lie had one trait Of character that
proved him to be, at the core, COOL man lie
was the best Of brothers aud most aiirc,ionatc
Of sons. Beyond even the devotion to his
country were MS love anu care Tor his mother,
and we hold it tn be ctcrnaly true that no son
that loves his mother can bc other than n good
man. despite any other unfortunate environment.
We bid farewell them to the hero, the states
man, the orator the advocate, the patriot, the
good, true of South Carolina anl the pride
oT Edgc!cl'l. May tia" Spring roses bloom upon
his grave anl the turf rest lightly upon his
manly form The earth will take what is mortal
to her embrace. liut from the clay there shall
arise the impcriShablc memory Of one who
sc"rncd to he hypocrirc, asked only to hc
painted rs he was and, inilcNiblc in honor and
truth. bore "a bold spirit in loyal breast -
-lmg",ta Hromirir ANIL tonStiWti"nriiH