Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-02-03
DEATH OF JEFFERSON.
Gloom II Cast Over the Fiftieth Cele-
bratiOn OF the Fourth of July.

AN INTERESTING INCIDENT RELATED ny HON.
ALEXANDER II. II. STUART CHAPMAN
JoHNsoN's IMPRoNPTU AND MEMORABLE
SENTIMENT AT STAUNToN. VA, PRO.
NoUNCED on THE AUTHOR OF THE
DECLARATION OF ISDEPENDENCE.
The Hon. Alexander II. II. Stuart, Of
| Virginia, has written an interesting let.
ter giving an account of the celebration
in Staunton, Va, of the titieth ami.
versary OF the Declaration of lndeI end.
ence. lie says:
Among the guests who assembled
at the celebration held in the Eagle
tavern on the Fourth OF July, 1926,
were most of the prominent men OF the
town and county. well remember
that Daniel Shefiey, Chapman johnson,
Briscoe G Baldwin, Thomas j. Mitchie,
William klnney and other citizens OF
the town were of the number, and, |
think, Gen. Robert Pottertield, james
Bell, Charles \. Stuart and others OF
the same class from the country were
present. The occasion was marked by
hilarity. The speeches were brief and
spirited and appropriate. Anecdote.
were told. There were brilliant flashes
of wit and fancy. and all were in good
humor and seemed to enjoy themselves.
In this way the day was passed until
nearly sun down, and the company
were preparing TO separate, with mutual
Fluctuations on the pleasure which they
had enjoyed ard the expression ot hope
that they might meet 10 commemorate
many returns OF the auspicious day. At
a.. ,E hn ,,rnraaItnn
came into the porch, and in a low tone
said TO Mr.. Chapman johnson some.
thing which seemed TO make a deep
impression on him. |, who was then n
youth preparing myself to enter the
University, sat with a few other com.
panions near the foot of the table, and
being on the opposite side from Mr..
Johnson had full view of his face, and
although did not know the commune
cation, could rot fail to observe the
grave expression OF his countenance.
The mystery was soon solved. Mr..
johnson rose, and in fitting terms an.
nounced TO the company that news had
Just reached him of the death, near
noon that day, Of Thomas jefferson.
After few remarks on the life. chsrac
tfE anu DuOllG flNtS vi AAls
Mr.. johnson requested all present to
fill their glasses as he desired tn offer a
sentiment. This was done. lie then
desired that the company would rise
and remain standing. While we thus
stood. deeply impressed with the solem.
nifty OF the event which had been thds
unexpectedly announced, Mr. johnson
offered the following sentiment: "The
memory OF Thomas Jefferson. author OF
the Declaration of Independence I
Though the mortal man may never wit
ness another celebration of the day
which his pen has so much illustrated,
his mortal spirit will be present and
inspire the last anthem which hallowed
its memory" The sentiment was pure.
ly impromptu. He did not take time
10 commit it to paper. lie gave it to
us as 1t came gushing up, like living
waters from the fountain OF his great
heart and il found response in the
heart of every one who was present. As
for myself, every word that he uttered
became, as it were, ingrossed on the
tablets of my memory, and, after the
lapse Of more than forty four years,
feel that 1 am able to report Mr.. John.
sons toast not only with substantial,
but with literal accuracy"