Lenoir County NcArchives Obituaries.....Caswell, Richard December 10, 1789
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Debra Crosby http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00010.html#0002467 March 10, 2025, 2:33 pm

Gazette of the United-States (New-York [N.Y.]), February 3, 1790
Column 2
                  A Funeral Oration
On the Most Worshipful and Hon. Major-General Richard Caswell,
Grand Master of the Masons of North Carolina.
  And all Judea and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.--Ch.B.2  u.24
                  By Francois-Xavier Martin.
         Worshipful Sirs,
        And worthy Brothers,
   Bereft of him who conducted our works we are met to discharge
the tribute of a tear due to his memory. How deeply the rest of
the community simpathizes with us, on this melancholy occasion, 
the attendance of a respectale number of our Fellow Citizens 
fully testifies.
   Shall our griefs terminate in sterile tears ? Shall this 
Discourse, sacred to the Memory of the Most Worshipful and
Honorable Major Genearl Richard Caswell, Grand-Master of the 
Masons of North Carolina, be, like the song of the untutored
savage, the mere rehearsal of a Warrior's atchievements? No.
In admiring the virtues that have rendered his death, like 
Josiah's, lamented in Judea and Jerusalem, let us, as Christians
and Masons, be stimulated, not to offer idle adulation to his
Manes, but, to imitate, in the practice of every virtue, so
bright a pattern.
   Nothing excites more powerfully to virtuous deeds, than the
examples of those whom they have rendered conspicious. Man
generally desires what he finds, applauded in others. And, either
because Virtue appears more noble, when he hears it praised, or
less difficult, when he sees it practiced, he is stimulated 
thereto --as the labour is not without reward, and remissness
would be without exuse.
   The examples of the Dead are no less powerful than those of
the Living. We look upon the Virtues of the former with a greater
degree of veneration. As we view those of the latter with a 
greater degree of envy; perhaps, because, Death having crowned
them, we are willing to believe that posterity praises without
flattery, as it praises without interest--or rather (for, why
should the real reason be concealed in this temple of truth?)
because, our pride will not suffer uss to acknowledge them.
   To convene the people when some illustrious popular Character
had terminated his career, and to improve the opportunity of
exciting them to Patriotic Virtues, is an ancient custom, 
frequent instances of which occur in sacred and profane history.
The heart of man, however obdurate, when operated upon by grief,
or the idea of a future  state is prepared to receive such
favourable state is prepared to receive such favourable imprssions;
as the stiff and close grained stone becomes pliant and ductile,
when heated by the fire of the furnace.
   Thus we read that the corps of the Saesar, having been brought
into the forum of the metropolis of the world, Anthony, holding
up that Dictator's garment, addressed the Roman people. "You 
well know," said he, "this mantle. I remember the first time Caesar
put it on. It was on the day he overcame the Nervii. If you have
tears to shed, prepare to shed them now."
   With as much propriety, can I rise to day, and, addressing you,
say:-
   You well know tese Badges. They are the Insignia of the 
Masonry-- of a society which for its antiquity and utility 
acknowledges no equal among the institutions of sons of man. 
Behold the White Apron that was girded on im, the loss of whom
we bemoan, on the day he became a Mason. He has left it to you, 
unsullied. He has left it to you, decorated with those marks of
dignity, to which merit alone gives title.
   If you have tears to shed, prepare to shed them now.
   He is no more. No longer shall he, like the eastern sun
illuminate our Lodges; no longer shall he plan or direct our 
works.
   You well know, Fellow-Citizens; that Sword, emblematical of
Supreme Executive Authority. I remember the first time it was
delivered him. It was on the day we shook off the oppressive
youk of British domination and became a People.
   If you have tears to shed, prepare to shed them now.
   He is no more. No longer shall he wield the Sword of Justice
attempered by mercy. No longer shall he preside in our Councils,
or lead you to the hostile Field.
   To enter here into a minute detail of the services he rendered
you, would be to premise that they may be obliterated from your
memory--You remember them. Brothers and Fellow-Citizens, they
cannot have been forgotten.
Column 3
    It was he who headed you on the day you broke down the superior
phalanx of Scotch insurgents, at Moore's creek and thereby preserved
the cause of freedom from the deadly blow, this reinforcement would
have enabled our enemies to strike. 
    It was he who presided in the assembly of Patriots, who framed
that instrument, which, defining your rights and the authority of
your rulers, has secured your liberties to this day.
    It was he whom your united voices twice called to the Supreme
Magistracy of this State and it was he, whom, but a few days ago,
still filled the Chair of your Senate.
    If his Public character affords a vast field to the panegyrift's
fance, his Private one deserved no less our attention and praise. 
In it we shall always find an example worthy of imitation.
   Public Virtue may procure a more shining reputation, but Domestic
Virtue gives a more solid merit. The former, when unsupported by the
later, is, in the Warrior, a thirst of glory--in the Civil Ruler, a 
thirst of power.
    A single instance of monetary intrepidity may make a name to
the Chieftain but a continued spirit of moderation alone characterises
the Virtuous individual.
    Valour is a noble passion, which evinces a greatness of soul. But
too oft it is a vain generosity excited by ambition, and which has for 
its aim the mere gratification of a selfish pride and inconsiderate
boldness justified by success a blind ferocity which stifles the voice
of humanit, and by the tears in causes to flow and the blood of its
victims, tarnishes the laurels of the vanquisher.
      Domestic virtue on the contrary is so perfect that it is laudable
even in its excesses. It is peaceable and constant; and springs from a
meekness and tenderness which which regulate desire, and, giving the
virtuous individual the command of his own, causes him to reign over 
the hearts of others. The one excites astonishment and fear; the other
commands reverence and love.
     In him, of whom the  hand of death has bereft us, public and
domestic virtues were ever united. Not satisfied in watching with 
unremitted attention over the welfare of the community, he ansiously
endeavored to promote the felicity of its members. Blest with a
complacency of disposition and equanimity of temper, which peculiarly
endeared him to his friends, he commanded respect even from his enemies.
The tender sensibility of his heart was such, that he needed but to 
see distress, to feel it and contribute to its relief. Deaf to the
voice of interest, even in the line of his profession, whenever opprest
indigence called for his assistance, he appeared at the bar without
even the hope of any other reward, than the consciousness of having
so far promoted the happiness of a fellow man.
     Such is, worshipful sirs and worthy brothers, the character of
one, whose lessons shall no longer instruct us, but the remembrance
of whose virtues will long continue to edify us.
     Such is fellow-citizens, the character of one who bor so great
a share in the revolution by which you became a nation, who, during
his life, was ever honored with some marks of your approbation, and 
whose memory will, I doubt not, be embalmed in your affections.
     Shades of Warren, Montgomery, and Mercer and ye shades of those
other Columbian Chiefs, who bore away the palm of political martyrdom
attend, receive and welcome, into the happy mansions of the just, a
soul congenial with those of your departed heroes, and meriting alike
our esteem, gratitude and tears.

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