The National Era
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Contributed by Susan
Description: Obituary
Date: December 21 1848Newspaper published in: Washington, DC
Page/Column: Page 201
Obituary.
Near Jamestown, Ohio, November 27, 1848.
To the Editor of the National Era:
I have just returned from the performance of a solemn duty. With an unusual number of citizens I accompanied our worthy friend, David MUNROE, to the house appointed for all living, "where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest." His death was on this wise: On Thursday, in good health, he, as usual, filled his place at church. The arrival of the mail being late, he went, after dark, to the post office, and on his return - there being an opening in the sidewalk - he fell the whole depth of the basement story on a floor of rocks. His head received the most fatal injury. It is supposed he had not been long there when his moans were heard, and every possible aid rendered by friends and physicians, but all in vain. He remained nearly speechless until Saturday about 12 o'clock, when, at his own house, he departed this life, aged about 65 years.
Our departed friend was a native of Scotland, and resident in Perthshire, and in the town of Cooperangus. Being a man of intelligence, and understanding that there was a settled gospel ministry, according to his views, near Xenia, he embarked, with a small family, for America, making Xenia his point of destination, where he arrived in 1819, and where he spent the remainder of his days.
Being an ingenious mechanic, he was soon established in profitable business, and prospered in worldly things. He was economical and industrious, which enabled him to be liberal in every good work. While he was economical, he was not penurious; and though liberal, he was not ostentatious. As to his living, perhaps no one came nearer the true medium; everything necessary for comfort and decency was freely enjoyed without extravagance; in all this he had an excellent helpmeet. With him there was no want of generous hospitality, especially towards poor strangers. If they were naked, he clothed them; if they were hungry, he fed them; if they fell among thieves, he acted the part of the good Samaritan.
He possessed a good degree of moral courage; and, regardless of popular opinion, he would do right. He was a faithful citizen of his adopted country, and pleased with the principles of liberty, but grieved with the practice of slavery, and was among the first to associate for its overthrow. Hence he was called an Abolitionist; but, with all the odium attached to the name, he persevered in the use of constitutional means that the yoke might be broken and the oppressed go free; and from an intimate knowledge of the facts, certainly no one in Greene County exerted a more successful influence. His purse and his time were always ready in the cause of humanity; and although not a public speaker, yet he could, in a more private way, open his mouth for the dumb, and, regardless of pro-slavery taunts, he would plead the cause of the poor and needy.
A CLARKSON is gone - a MORRISS is gone - and a MUNROE is gone; yet my faith is strong that a sovereign Ruler will raise up other instruments to fill their places; and that the day is not far distant when the jubilee shall sound, and liberty be proclaimed throughout all the land, unto all the inhabitants thereof.
Yours sincerely,
JAMES MORROW.