Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-03-04
NINETEEMTH CONGRESS.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 81, 1926.
IN SEN ATE
FIRST SESSION

IN SENATE.
The Senate met at ~ O'Clock, and, after the
Journal had been read
Mr.. Hayne of s. Carolina, rose and said II be-
comes, Mr.. President, my melancholy duty to an
nounce to this House, that my respected colleague
the Father OF the Senate, is more. After
faithful and uninterrupted service in this body, OF
more than twenty-one years, he has fallen, in the
iuuess OF his honors, and in the midst of his Use
fiiness. Though he had lived to almost every
friend who had entered with him into public life
(and all with whom he served we've his friends)
successfully retiring from the busy scene, swept
from the stage of existence; though he had tor
ny years found himself the oldest member of the
Senate, ye, he had not much passed the meridian OF
life, and we might have fattered ourselves with
the hope that long OF honor and usefulness
was still before him. Mr.. Gaard took his seat in
the Senate on the 3lst of January, 1905, and it is
perhaps the highest tribute we could possibly pay
20 his memory to state, that he four times sue
cessvcly elected 10 his high trust and retained
70 his last hour the confidence OF his fellow citizens.
In 1910, (yShen he had been but five years a MEM
bel, Mr.. Gaard was elected President pro tenn
pore OF the Senate, to which office he was nine
times most honorsbly chosen, having, for a period
OF fourteen gears, presided, the deliberations
fthis Assembly. am sensible that it is no, admis-
sible, on an occasion like the presen, TO indulge
myself in a studied euloguin on the virtues of our
departed friend; and deeply regret that the Office
OF touching briefly on his character had not fallen
10 the lot of one who could have spoken from long
experience, and in the eloquent language of
ly and we-tried friendship. My personal ac1uain-
lance with my late colleague comparatively of
rerent date. Since have served with him, how
ever, in this House, the mutual exchange of kind
offices has never been, for moment, interrupted,
even by those unhappy differences ofopinion which
plant horns in the path of the politician and often
estrange the dearest friends Judging OF his past
h,,,,. h.tI hos,
the concurIing testimony of his associates, will
not be accused of doing more than simple justice
TO the memory of our friend, when l say, that, du-
ing term OF service altogether unexampleli in this
body, he conciliated universal esteem and conf
dence In his private intercourse with the mem
bers, his mildness, and urbanity all hearts. In
fulfilling his duties Senator, the solility of his
Judgment and his ,dignified and unosteniaious de-
po ment, elected the esteem and commanded The
respect OF his associates. But it was in the per
torrance of the high duties Of the presiding officer
OF the Senate, (Which he discharged for longer
period than has fallen the lot OF any other many
that the conspicuous traits of his character were
most fully developed. The and fidelity with
which he fulfilled these duties; always arduous, and
often OF the most difficult and delicate nature; his
perfect command OF temper; exemplary patience
strict impartiaiity, and clear discernment have
yer been surpassed, and seldom equalled. Whac-
yer might be the state OF his health, no labor was
too great for his industry, no privaton 100 severe
Tor his patience. So thorough was his acquain-
lance With Parliamentary forms, and especially with
the practice of this House. and such was the conf
dence reposed in his Justice, that his opinion on all
questions OF order was considered as a binding au-
thority. Though Mr.. Gaard was not in the ha-
OIL OF engaging in debate, yet, when it became ne
cessary tor him to explain the grounds OF his de-
cislon, or 10 shed the lights OF his experience on
questions before the Senate, could express
hIrpsp
know not how better TO sum up the merits of the
deceased, than in the words OF my venerable friend
tMr. Macon, whose eulogy is no common praise,)
and who lately declared 60 that Mr.. Gai.Iard was
designed by nature TO preside over such an as
senbly as hiS"-thus assigning to him. as his
appropriate sphere, station OF no common dignity,
and duties OF a most exalted nature. Such was
The man whose loss this day called upon to
depio:e On this occasion il becomes ua to mourn
aud know, that, in paying the highest honors to
MS memory we are giving utterance the feelings
OF every member of the Senate by whom the recol-
lection of the virtues OF deceased brother will
be long and fondy cherished
Mr.. Dlckerson, of New Jersey then rose, and
sad. The honorable gentleman from South Caro-
lima has spoken Of the character and services of
MS late distinguished colleague, in manner highly
credItabie 10 the feelings of his heart. The facts
he has stated have already become portion of The
history OF this country. The services Of his late
colleague are 10 be found in almost every page OF
our statute books, and oar records, for the last
twenty years. There are other facts, how ever con.
necied with his character, for which his memory
will be more cherished by his intimate friends than
sven tor his public services His urbanity, his uni
form miidness OF department in his intercourse with
MS associates in this body, and while presiding
over our councils, we have all witnessed; but the
innate goodness OF his heart could only be known
10 those with whom he lived on terms of intimacy
IL has been my good fortune, said Mr. D. to be
associated with him, an inmate in the same faIni
lies, Tor the last seven sessions of Congress; in
which time, have never observed the least ap-
proach TO harshnesr or severity towards those with
whom lie associated, or the slightest departure
from those rules, by which gentlemen ought TO be
governed, In their intercourse with each other but
on the contrary, the most unde waiting Observance
81 tue forms and customs OF politeness which give
10 social intercourse its greatest charm. For such
character, could not but be inspired with senti- !
fnents oil the most unteigned attachment and re- |
Spect' lbs society have courtcd when he was !
IN health when in sickness I have endeayo,ed 10 |
soothe his moments of laDguor and distress; and |
watched, vita the most painful solcitude the last
eboings OF lie thus endeared to me. In the death |
OF this distinguished individual, the country has
lost an able and faithful servant-and have lost
most valued friend and trust, that, while mourn
ing over the loss of the public, have the indul-
gence OF the Senate in thus deplorng my own.
MIR. Dickerson then offered the following reso-
Intons, which were successfully and unanimously |
adopted:
ReSoLUed, That committee be appointed TO |
take order for experimenting the funeral of the
Honorable John Gaillard, deceased, which will |
take place al eleven O'Clock Tomorrow morning: |
that the Senate will attend the same and that mo-. !
nee Oh this event be given to the House of Repre-