The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1883-11-29
MAJ. 3. Matthews.

| MAI. ., 3. 11alL16WS,
When presenting a copy of tn
proceeding OF the Pulaski bar in
regard to the death of Maj. Mat
thews, to have the same spread up
on the minutes of the circuit court
at its November term, 1888, at Pu
laski, Tenn, Col. S. E. Rose said
MAY 1T PLEASE THE CouRT:-l
should fail in my mission to
my brother lawyers and to the hon
ored dead if 1 did not add some
thing beyond the scope and express
sion of the resolutions here pre-
scented. / have been intimately ac-
quainted with Maj. Matthews for
full forty years. [ knew him in
youth and in manhood to the time
of his death. He commenced life
poor, but self reliant, full of hope
and energy. From his first en-
trance into public life, in his pro-
fession, in politics or in society, he
was bold, fearless and sometimes
aggressive, but always challenged
his opponents to an open or manly
contest. Such was the texture of
his character that he disclaimed all
subterfuge or Discrimination, and
from this element in his nature, has
often been the victim of aspersion
and subject to misconception in
many trials through which he
passed. Reputation is the sport of
circumstances, or prey of malice,
often beyond the control of the
possessor and as often false and un-
just.
Matthews was of excitable and
ardent temperament, yielding to
fierce passion that reached intern
perate bounds, but when passion
subsidized he was gentle, generous
and sympathetic, embracing with a
warm heart the needy and unfortu-
nate or as ready to make amends
for injury or ofense.
Like the torrent that flows down
the mountain, leaping from gorge
to gorge and chafes at each obsta-
Gle in It's way, but when it reaches
the valley circles into quietude and
reflects in the clear waters the
pleasing surroundings. The figure
well illustrates the mingling of the
with the gentle in the
character of Matthews.
Matthews was gallant and brave
as a knight Grant, land Ike a knight
Grant shirked no responsibility
and asked no quarters. He had his
faults, and who has not? But he
had redeeming virtues, warm friend
ships, devotion to conviction, right
or wrong, and an earnest sympathy
for the needy and unfortunate were
virtues that Matthews possessed in
an eminent degree. In that high
social tribunal that estimates Alright
the valne of human conduct, these
virtues outweigh life's fortunes or
its fame, even as in that tribunal Of
humanity, the tear of soldier over
his fellow-comrade outweighs all his
glory or his victories.
No man was more attached to
his friends or his family than he.
A warm friend, a kind husband, an
and indulgent father,
and liberal kinsman. l speak
advisedly when 1 say he was inca
pable of doing deliberately mean
act. f.He had that professional
honor that forbids prostitution to
sordid love of gain, for l have
known him, when poor and needy,
refuse large fee rather than aid
in defraudIng the widow and or
phan of their just dues.
The Monday before his death he
came to my Office and in private
with me he stated that
his condition was extremely.@e1fti-
,al, that he might die any day. He
said he had hoped to live long
enough to have fairly squared all |
lis earthly accounts; he spoke with |
leep solicitude of his reputation
md of the estimation in which his
public acts were held, and with the
,enderest interest of his family and |
If the trials and poverty through |
which they might have to pass; but
me of the consultations in his dying
hours was that he would leave his /
wife and children in a kind, sympa-
hetic community.
Then let that charity that is the
grace of society be ex
ended to his memory. l am not
lere to laud his character, but to
10 justice to his memory,
''For honor's voice can ne'er provoke
the silent dust
Nor fattery sootbe the still, cold ear
of DEATH"