The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1883-10-25
Death OF 81. w. Duncombe.- -FEuera,
Address.
Bf REV. ". c. BURNS.

Death has set his mark and seal ''on all
we are and all we feel, on ali we know and
al we fear" First our pleasures die-and
then our hopes and then our fears, and when
these are dead the debt is due, dust claims
dEst and we die too.
Death seems busy everywhere and the air
TO be thick with his flying shafts. Scarcely
have the sad tones of the tolling bell died
away, or the last quivering notes of the
Miscrere ceased to be heard scarcely has the
alarm been sounded at the outer door ere the
angel of death knocks again; scarcely have
the portals of the tomb been closed upon the
remains of loved ones, ere they are again
opened to receive the earthly temple of a
husband, father brother, friend, SOL
der, and prominent citizen. Around the
remains of this fallen one, TO whom life and
its busy scenes on this side of the tomb are
forever closed, we are assembled to pay
the-last tribute of respect that the living
offer TO the dead. Standing in the presence
of death, the great equalizer of mankind, the
one who alone Is Indifferent to the boast of
heraldry, to the pomp of power, and all that
beauty, all that wealth e'er gave, we would
desire to follow that ancient maxim, which
founded in justice and the noble promptings
of the human heart, bids us say nothing but
good things of the dead. Life at its best,
like the purest gold, is alleged, or like as the
sparkling light of the rarest jewel, is dim
med by some ingrained flaw so human
character is Swallowed by some human
frailty. And since the motives and the most
sacred thoughts OF the human soul are only
partially revealed or entirely yelled from our
sight, like as was the Eneas of Virgil from his
pnrsulng enemies, we would not sit in iudg-
Inent, but would as we would wish for our.
selves, reverently and tenderly place the
mantle of charity over the heart that is
pulseless and the lips which are speechess.
The life of Mr.. Duncombe was an active
one At an early age he removed from his
native place in Canada to Michigan, enter
ing the school at Battle Creek and subse-
quently the state Agricultural college, he OBJ
tanned q liberal education. While pursuing
his studies he WIS aroused therefrom, as was
the nation, by the startling news that "Surnp-
ter had fallen and in answer to the call to
arms, which sounded on every hilltop and
echoed in every valley, he promptly entered
the army. Az Fort Donelson, where for four
days and nights our soldiers braved not only
the deadly assaults of the enemy. but also
the snow and the sleet of the winter time.
without the shelter of the tent or the warmth
of the fire, he proved himself as elsewhere, a
soldier.
Compelled by i'll health in July, 62. he
resigned his commission "a first lieutenant,
Co. d., Western Sharp shooters. and returned
home. In the fall OF the same year he was
elected by the people of Van Buren, county
to the Office Of register of deeds. and suisse
Quently TO tLat OF county treasurer. These
Offices he held tor the interval of twelve
years at the expiration of which time he was
appointed Register of the T.. S. Land Office.
Aberdeen, Dakota, which Office be occupied
a; the time of his death.
As politician the deceased was never
neutral. Positive in his convictions. he
never left you in doubt as to what were his
views. Holding that the division of the peo-
pie into parties was essential TO the balance
OF elective institutions, he selected for his
support, the republican party. AS an official.
the years which you retained him in Office
speak more eloquently than any words of
mine, of his fitness and efficiency for public
i.fe.
Suffering for years from hapless disease,
yet the amount Of labor which he performed
from year to year was SO great that the most
robust man might have recoiled from it, as a
task too heavy to be borne.
But voice said, child of the dust come
away, and he obeyed. His labors OH earth
are finished: his tongue is stilled and his lips
hushed in death. To those of you who
mourn most deeply because of the sorrow
which, unlimited, has come into your hearts
and robbed you of its treasure, permit me to
say that suffering is not curse, but bless
ing. Pleasant as may be the sunshine, vet
TO the plant, the rain and the shadow are
equally as necessary. Lovely as may he the
rose, yet it must wither ere it yields its sweet
est perfume. Pure and spotless as was the
Son of God, yet he must suffer upon the
cross ere the Emperor Julian would exclaim
90. Galilean, thou hast conquered!'' Enjoy
able as may he the light of day, yet the
darkness of night is needed 10 reveal the
starry consultations; pleasant as may be hap
piness unalloyed, yet there are chords in oui
nature which never vibrate until touched b,
calamity; qualities of heart never truly seer