Thursday, September 21, 2023

Congressman Horace Mann, April 2 1850

APRIL 2.

Mr. Calhoun's funeral, which took place to-day, was attended in the Senate Chamber at twelve o'clock. I did not wish to connect the thoughts I have with death with the thoughts which I have with him; and therefore I did not attempt to be present. What a test of true greatness is death! How it converts to vanity and nothingness all which is not intrinsically worthy! How it magnifies and eternizes whatever is good! The preacher who could carry men for an hour to the other side of the grave, whenever they have a prospect of worldly appetite or ambition or aggrandizement in view, and make them look back upon the objects of their desire from that point, would indeed be a minister of God.

SOURCE: Mary Tyler Peabody Mann, Life of Horace Mann, p. 298-9

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