Year: 1872

memory that high appreciation which is
ever inspired by combination of the sub
limest virtue Of the citizen with the loftiest
courage of the soldier-we, as the Represen-
tatives Of the people over whom, in better
days, he presided as Governor, desire to ex-
press our deepest regret, for this, our coun-
try's loss.


Gov, Trousdale was eminently a Ten
nesseean. Though ours is comparatively
a young State, and be lived to be an Octoge-
marian, yet, he was born on her sOil-in the
county of Sumner-where he was reared,
educated and resided during his long and
useful life-and now, by the decree of fate,
it is his TO sleep in her bOsom as one of the
historic jewels Of our commonwealth. His
father, James TrOusdale, who was ReEo-
lutionary soldier, emigrating from the old
mother of Tennessee, was among the earli-
est settlers of our StSte-being one Of that
pioneer stock of hardy and adventurous
patriots who expelled the savage, cut the
cane from the virgin soil and subdued it to
the wants and comforts Of man, until, wax
ing in strength, it blOomed into beauty.


While but boy he left the genial circle
of schoolfelloWs. and followed the flag of
his country into the perils of battle; win
ming such marked distinction under the
leadership of the "Immortal Jackson as to
attract the immediate attention of that dis
tinguished chieftain and elicit the warmest
enc1miums from his fellow soldiers.


Being a soldier by nature, and possessed
of "a spirit that stamped him with the power
to command; with an eUergy and will, in
spired by the highest chivalry and purest
patriotism, be embraced every occasion
which the history of the country presented
for him TO become her defender, until dis
ease, contracted in her service, deprived
him of strength to again enter her list and
add additional lustre to her name by the
same knigbtly bearing which marked bis
prowess of earlier years.


Havin e in bis bOyhoOd become favOrite
of his old heroic leader, it was most natural
that he should take him as his model, and
how well be followed the noble example in
all that pertaiRed to the patriot and soldier,
is best known to those who are most IA
miiar with his history. Elevated in this,
the early part Of his life, in the esteem Of
his countrymen, not only by the high
character he had wen as a soldier, but also
as citizen of talents and influence-he
easily commanded position of high rank
in the Seminole war, which he filed with
such courage and efficiency, as stamped
him at once, as one of the most dis
tinguished of Tennesseeans.


Upon the outbreak of hOStiliLies with
Mexico, President Polk, without solicitation,
sent him a commission Of Colonel, and
while his friends felt that he merited much
higher command, he, with characteristic
mOdesty and patriotism, without murmUr,
took the field in the role assigned him, and
won imperishable renewn in many of the
battles of that noted war.


Upon the return of peace, he came back
TO the walks Of civil life, as an irreprOach-
able knight, all SCARED and scanned" by
the conflict of arms. A generous and Chiv-
alrous people soon called him from the quiet
walks of life and placed him, in lS49, in the
Gubernatorial chair of his native State,
which, for two years, be filed with that
modest grace and easy dignity, characteristic
alike of theTar worn soldier and the cult
waited and upright citizen.


Shortly after leaving this Office Of honor
and public trust, Gen. TrOusdale was sent
by President Pierce as United States Min
lister to Brazil, from which he retired, at his
own solicitation, upon the incoming of the
succeeding Administration. Being then a
victim of acute rheumatism, he retired TO
the home he loved so vel, and for years was
prostrated by its painful ravages, until the
27tb inst, when, at the age of 81, as ripein
the affections Of his countrymen as in years,
and buoyed in bis sufferings by Christians
hope, he passed the mystic river into the
plains of eternity, where be now sleeps with
bis fathers.


1t is thus that our old heroes, men of
true metal and Of the Olden time, are falling
from the tree of life, ''like leaves in wintry
Notwithstanding as they fall, that
we only await our summons.


In the business relations of life, Gov.
Trousdale was lawyer; and as such, main
tanned that personal and professional tone
so becoming in that noble calling.


In its practice be seemed to strive for
truth and justice rather than success; and
always in his advocacy, maintained posi-
tions, when taken, with a pertinacity of
purpose calculated to carry with it convic-
ton, leaving no doubt of his sincerity.
His principles were fixed-his judgment
clear, and his reasoning without circumlO
cution-always direct, pointed and logical.


A strong will, vigorous intellect, and
studious habits, inspired by love of meri-
ted distinction, soon placed him in the front
rank at the bar. As an orator, whether
\ at the Bar or before the hustings, bis aim
was to fix himself upon the right principle
and maintain it with an unfaltering devO
tion and let consequences take care Of them
selves.


His style was not polished or ornate, but
clear, simple and always understood. He
spoke with ease, with dignity, sometimes
with bitterness and denunciatiOn, rarely in
dulged in humor, never in buffOOnery.


In person, he was handsome, tall, straight,
and of that military bearing which COM
manded the respect of all with whom he
came in contact, but forbidding to none.


His public career was without STAN, as
was his private character without reprOach.
He was selE-possessed, even under the most
irving embarrassinents-Whi was accom-
paRied by an 'fron will" and personal
courage, always classed by those who knew
them both, with Andrew jackson, and if in
the one be was unyielding, in the other he
was an utter stranger to fear. Whether as
youthful soldier at TallahatChie or Talla-
dega, in the streets of Pensacola or on the
plains of Chahuette; or whether in his ma
ture manhood, when routing Valencia at
Contreras, or pursuing the enemy over the
rough rocks of Cherubusco; whether under
the destructive fire Of MolinO del Rey or
storming the heights of Chapultepec, be
was the same dignified and selt-pOsseSSed
man as when sitting in the chair OF State,
or giving ana receiving CouIteSIes III d
foreign court. And as he had lived SO did
he die, Notwithstanding his long and in
tense suffering, calm and self-possessed to
the last.


1'He has gone to his home like a well-ripened


sheaf


The ear in its fullness, the scar in its leaf;
The angels have borne him, with joy to the


skies,


The portals of Heaven have closed on their


prize"


Resolved, that this testimonial be spread
upon the journal of the House, as a memo
rial of the services, character and worth OF
our distinguished dead, for whose loss the
General Assembly now mOurns.


Adopted March 29, 1872.


In an article on recent fair in that town.
the editor of Macon paper says brother
editor took a valuable premium, but an un-
kind policeman made him put 1t right back