Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1836-07-07

ges of his country's history, which are
identified with her honor and glory. 1t
is engraved on every pillar of that splen-
did fabric of constitutional liberty under
which we live. 1t is identified with the
existence Of that glorious union of con-
federated states which he contributed so
essentially to form, and the maintenance e
and preservation Of which, with all ITS
numerous blessings, were the constant
objects of his care during his long, labo-
rious, and useful public life, and OF his
most earnest and anxious solfchude in
the shades Of retirement.
And, MIR. Speaker, another and not
less decisive and more aflocting evidence
of his merit and title to public gratitude,
will be found in the deep grief with
which his loss will be deplored by every
man in the nation as great national ca
lamity. offer the resolution which l
now send TO the chair.
Resolved, That a committee he ap-
pointed on the part Of this House, to JOIN
such committee as may be appointed on
the part Of the Senate, to consider and
report by what token Of respect and NJ
fection il may be proper for the Con-
gress Of tho United States to express the
deep sensibilhy Of the nation to the e.
vent Of the dcceass Of Mr.. Madison,
Just announced by the President Of the
United States TO this House.
The resolution having been read-
Mr.. Adams rose, and addressed the
Speaker. BY the general serse of the
House, (said no., il is with perfect pro-
priety that the delega alton from the Com
nIonwe alth Of Virginia have taken the
lead in the melancholy duty Of propos-
ing the measures suitable 10 be adopted
as testimonials of the veneration due
from the Legislature Of the Union to the
memory Of the departed patriot and sage,
the native Of their soil, and the citizen
Of their community.
1t is not ithout some hesitation, and
some dillidence, that have risen to Of
fer in my own behalf, and in that of my
colEeag ues upon this floor, aud OF our
common constituents, to join our voice,
at once Of mourning and exnltation, at
the event announced 10 both Houses Of
Congress by the message from the Presi-
dent Of the United States-of mourning
at the bereavement which has belallen
our common country by the decease OF
one of her most ilustrious sons-of en-
ultation at the spectacle afforded to the
Of the civilized world, and
for the emulation of aitertimes, by the
close Of life Of usefulness and Of glory,
after forty years Of service in trusts Of
tho highest dignity and splendor that a
country could bestow, sue
ceeded by twenty years Of retirement
and private life, not inferior, in the esti-
nation of the virtuous and the wise, to
the honors Of the highest station that am
bition can never attain.
or the public life Of James Madison
what could say that is not deeply I'M
pressed upon the memory, and upon the
heart Of every one within the sound of
my voice. OF his private life, wlrat bat
must meet an echo!ing shout Of applause
from every voice within this hall? 1t is
not in pre-eminent degree by einana-
Irons from his mind that we are assem-
bled here as the representatives OF the
people and States Of this Union' 1t is
not transcendantly by his eXeItions that
we all address each other here by the
appellation OF conntrym and
elbow citizens! OF that band of bene-
factors Of the human race, the founders
pf the Constitution Of the United States,
James Madison rs the last who has gone
10 hrs reward. Their glorious work has
them all. They have transmit
led the precious bond of union to us,
now entirely a succeeding generation to
them. May it never cease to he voice
Of admontion to us Of our duty to trans
NIT the inheritance uninpaired to our
children OF the rising age.
OF the personal relations with this
great man, which gave rise to the long
career ofpublic service, in which TWEEN
y years OF my own life has been engag-
ed, it becomes me not to speak. The
ulness Of the heart must be silent, even
O the suppression Of the overilowings of
gratitude and affection.
a message was received from the
Senate, announcing the adoption OF the
resolution by that body:
In SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES,
June 80, 1886. |,
Resolved, That committee be ap-
pointed on the part OF the Senate, TO join
such committee as may be appointed OH
he part of the House, TO consider and
report by what token Of respect and af-
lection il may be proper for the Congress
Df the United States to express the deep
'ensibility of the nation to the event OF
he decease Of Mr.. Madison, just an
by the President Of the United
States.