The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-04-09

To the Senate and House Of Representatives. Of the
Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania
GENTLEMEN- Intelligence has been received that
WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON, President of
the United States has paid the debt of nature. He
departed this life the Presidents House in the city
of Washington on yesterday morning
The public services and private worth of the dis
tingushed citizen who had just been elevated to tho
highest station in the Republic call upon the General
Assembly Of this Commonwealth, behalf of our
constituents for the appropriate testimonials
Of public feeling which inspired by the meancho
DAVID r. PORTER.
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, April 5, 1871.
When the message was read Mr.. REED rose and
addressed the Chair as follows
Mr.. Speaker--Thc Senate no doubt anticipates the
object Of the motion | about to make. 1t is to
fls - ~.sh.~.s the me ihtengence or tre
the deep Tho United States has been
death OF the heu us. A long life of public service
Lso-Dcen suddenly terminated and at the outset OF
new career, which every American patriot hoped
would be career of usefulness the power to render
further and greater services has been arrested and the
mysterious dispensations of Providence have inter.
posed to dsaPpoInt the nations hopes At these dis
pensations we must not repine. Under this dsappont
ment we should not mourn But it is entirely con
ssent with submission TO testify our respect for the
memory OF the dead-our sincere sympathy with the
sorrows Of the living. The public services of Gen.
HARRISON are now part of the unquestioned his
tory of the country They placed by the hand of
death beyond all party controversy which might ex-
aggerae or deprecate them and TO his virtues CRATE
Dli people may now without dissent do disinterested
Justice his was a long-an active-and an honored
HE. lie lived without rcproach. He died without
an enemy to speak word of unkindness or of dis
paragement over his grave
Fifty years ago, the late President of the United
States passed through the village where are now
sitting, on his way to his first campaign The ancient
building where the young soldier then lodged is yet
standing AT that period the institutions Of coun-
try were immaure-their permanence uncertain-their
efficacy unred He has lived those institutions
survive their hours of trial. and in those hours Of trial
he always stood faithfully by them. He has lived TO
receive the highest honors of his country but no ho-
did he ever in life receive worthy of his vr-
tues than that spontaneous tribute which, now that he
has neither power nor patronage to besow the whole
people pay to his memory.
Mr. REED then submitted the following resolutions,
which, after few approbatory remarks by Mr. BRowN
were unanimously agreed to-
Resolved, That the Senate Of Pennsylvania having
been informed of the death ofthe President of the Uni
ted States considers it duty to the memory of the
dead, his public services unsued character and the
station which he occupied, and to the deep sorrow
which will pervade the Nation to express the mournful
sentiment with which the intelligence has been re-
ceived.
Resolved, That committee of four Senators be ap-
pointed, to act with committee of the House. should
the House appoint such committee, to report what
measures should be adopted to testify the of the
message received this ming from the Executive be
referred to the committee
Resolved, That the Senate'd do now adjourn
The Speaker named Messrs. Reed, Brown, Pear
SON. and Gibbons, the committee and the Senate adj
journed.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,, when called TO
order, the message (gven in the Senate report) was
presented, after which Mr.. Law rose and addressed
he chair as follows:
Mr. SPEAKER The event Just announced in the
from the Executive is one of the most
solemn ature, and calls for the respectful consdera-
ion of the House 1t is an event unprecedentod in
he history of our country Other Presidents have paid
he debt OF nature, Ut after their Of useful
ness had terminated. We have now announced to us |
or the first time, the death of one, who, as we all |
lopcd was about TO set out of glory and of
Iseiuness Sir, 1t Is an event which appeals to the
ympathies of all OF u.s. and before which all party con-
ideations sink and dwindIe into nsignifcance Ii is
in occasion which all of feel only as American
tzens and not members of this sect or that party
nut as common children of our common country Over
he grave of departed excellence envy AMBITION the
rcjudlces of party, sectional feelings and the ami
noslies of faction hushed into silence, and leave
IS time to look back upon long life Of lusrious sell
ices.
This the time or the place to speak Of the late
resident he deserves Sir do not mean to enter
pon his euogy. | believe we all unite in the most
rofound regard for ms virtues. As a brave soldier
8 an enlightened statesman-as upright honest
nan he is entitled to the admiration of this age as he
will obtain that of posterity. ! hope the Hou g on
he present occasion will adopt without delay some
rode of estylng their respect fr this ilustrous man
There be doubt in regard TO the present rumor
rs the offspring of truth, and it comes in suct shape
nat Il cannot be questioned Ii demands the immedi-
tie action of the House.