Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-09-23

10 oetend nus opinions with earneStneSS and with
Warmth, The energy of his mind admitted no
i tame expresson-( Hear, hear.) But, however
STRONG MS language, his heart was an utter stran.
ger to any feeling OF political resentment
1 clear, hear.) To make use ofhis own words, on
l u former melancholy occasion, he never carried
| feelings political hostility beyond the thresh-
| old OF this house-(liear.) He did the utmost
justice to his political opponents-and am hap
| Ply to see, that they are ready to do Justice to
| hm--( lIear.) To those who we're more immedi-
ately acquainted with his exalted character
who knew his direct and open feelings in all the
transactions ofhs life--hs never-ceasing zeal for
truth-his inflexible love of his country-his un-
affected mind-his bold and undismayed exer-
| tons in the cause ofhumanity--to those, my pa-
neSyrlc must appear unworthy OF the subj ect =
But, above all, il must be said of hInI that he
was the poor mans friend !-(Hear.) Iappeal to
those, who, like myself, have known his unaba-
ted, ms unwearied zeal, in promoting the happi
ness OF those around him appeal TO thousands
who have experienced the kindness of his gener-
Gus heart whether he did not truly merit that en-
dearing appellation-( Hear, hear) The country
town which he represented, exhibits imperisha-
Bile records of his active benevolence-for he
closely initiated the example, and scrupulously
trod IN the steps of the good man who went be-
| fore him! His public virtues-the bold elo-
quence which lie always displayed in this House,
when he stood forward in support of the prnci-
|
| scter, will long adorn the pages of our Parlia-
mentary history (IIear, hear.) All that remains
TO us now is, the sad and silent retrospect ofvr-
tues, the exercise of which was the delight ofhs
heart, and the admiration of the energies ola
brilliant and active mind, whose utmost powers
were directed TO the service ofhis country 1 will
| not apologize to the House for thus speaking ola
man, who was one ofits brightest ornaments
CLEAR, hear.) Butlfeel that apology is due 10
those honorable friends, who had long known and
| long venerated his character, for the feeble and
| imperfect manner in which, have described his
| talents and his virtues % (IIcar, hear)
His lordship concluded by moving
"That the Speaker be directed to issue his
warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out
new writ Tor Member to serve in the present
Parliament, for the town of Bedford, in the room
OF Samuel Whitbread, esq. deceased
During. the delivery of the above speech, the
Marquis OF I vistock was most deeply affected
In several instances, his INSTRUCTED his ut
! terance. The House, which was unusually full,
considering the late period Of the Session, fally.
symPatnised IN the feelings of the speaker. And,
Whenever the abilities or the private character of
M Whitbread were touched upon, loud cheer
hg' rom all sides of the house, proved that eve
\ ny party perfectly concurred IA the sentiment
MI" Wilbertorce said, that, after the very elo-
quent speech which they had just heard-a speech
which ooasted the purest Of all eloquence the
| eloquence OF the heart-he you'd not have de-
tanned tie house for single moment, but that
ne was most anxious to record his testimony of
the Pi,plc and private virtues Of Mr.. Whitbread.
| (hear' )--He (Mr. Wilberforce) was one of the
many (rlch as WEI. poor) who felt the full value
OF such : character, both in private and public
point OF view. 1.-THE character of Mr. Whitbread
| eXhiDlted any defects-and all human beings
were subject to then-thcy appeared to him to
1 originate in the strong feelings by which the
| English character had always been distinguished
lhere never was, in plainness, candor, sincerity,
| or love OF independence, a more complete Eng
lishman-(Hear, hear, hear. )-All who knew him
must Know the indefatigable carnestness and
zeal with which he devoted his t. ents to the va
rious subjects which were brought under the con-
| sideraton OF the llouse; and although undoubt-
| eaiy' on many occasions, it was his fortune to
ddier from him, yet he was always ready to do
the fullest Justice to the integrity public spirit
and love of his country, by Which his conduct
was guided.-( Hear hear. He had frequently
| seen Mr.: Whitbread act in contradiction to his
| private ceilings and affections, when his public
duty called on him to sacrifice them His loss
\ was deeply to be depiored; at the same time il
must undoubtedly afford some degree of melan-
choly satisfaction TO his friends, when they see
uiose VINO differed from him on various occasions.
now coming forward to do justice TO the princi-
| pies on which he acted-and seeming to consider
nun as one OF the public treasures of the nation
giear, hear int the progress of that great cause
| (the abolition of the slave trade) with which he
| mad SO much to do, he found Mr.. Whitbread
| one OF the most Jealous and able supporters
| But nus philanthropy was not confined to the ma
| ives OF Africa. No species of distress was ever
passed over unnoticed by him. The case of the
unfortunate came the more powerfully recon-
mended to hum, in proportion to the extent of the
oppression which had been endured lie was a
man most desrous TO obtain justice for the TN
| haPPy Indeed, his great object seemed TO be,
| 10 increase, as much poss Bile, the blessing,
and TO avert, as far as his ex eFtions could avert
The msiortunes Of humantyl-(Hear, hear.)
The chancellor Of the exchecluer said II was
Tar rom his wish to detain the house on a subject
winch conid not fail 70 affect Their feelings most
deeply 1t would, indeed, be inexcusable, # he
were to solicit their attention for many minutes,
a1'er what had fallenfrom his hon friend who
had just sat down, and the speech delivered with
so much feeling and so much propriety, by he
noble lord opposite Btf,, both to hon. friend,
and to the noble lord, II might be some satisfac-
ton to Know, that those who, on political mat
tiers, most differed from Mr. Whitbread, did per-
tect justice to the virtues Of his character, and
never, Tor moment, supposed him TO be actu-
ated by any other motives than those which be. |
came apublc man, in the onscientious discharge |
OF has public duty - Loud cheering.)
The motion was then agreed to.
From. a London Paper.