The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-06-28
CONGRESS.

In me House oil representatives on MONDAY, AFTER
an appropriate prayer by the Rev. S. TusToN-
Mr. ADAMS rose and spoke as follows:
Mr.. SPEAKER: In the course of twelve years of
public service in this hail. has been my fortune too
often to witness, with sympathising sorrow, some
member from another of the States Of this
Union, other than that of my own nativity, rise from
his seat, and, with agtated feelings, and in the ac-
cents of trembling heart, announce to this assembly
the departure, for world Of harmony and peace, of
a respected and beloved colleague. 1t is always an
impressive solemn, and affecting scene; and have
beheld it, but with ejaculation of prayer to
the Father of Spirits, that at least this cup might
pass away from me, and that might be called,
in the discharge of my duty, to perform painful,
so severe task 1t has not pleased the great Dis
poser Of events. At the request ofmy colleagues on
this floor, | now requested to announce to this
House the death of WILLIAM SoDoN HASTINGS late
member of this body from the ninth congressional
district of Massachusetts, and to move the resolu-
tons of respect for his memory, on the part of this
House, usual on similar occasions
In the month of September, 1887, at the fist and
snecai session of the 25.h Congress- Mr. HASTINGS
first entered this Hall the Representative ofo por
ton of the people of Massachusetts That he
nued to enjoy the confd ence of his constituents has
been manifested by two successive reflections to the
same station. The same favor had been preceded by
reiterated elections to both branches of the Legislature
of the Commonwealth. II confidence in his
talents and integrity spreading and expanding in pro-
portion to the experience OF his worthiness of the
trust. He here in the prime and vigor of life,
10 all external appearances destined to long and use
full career of ubiic service taking active and spe
:a though not obtrusve part In the deliberations of
this body; and, amid all the conflicts, personal and
political which all deeply lament, making friends
of all parties, in proportion he became known to
his associates in the Hall and so far as have known
heard, not one personal enemy to the day OF his
death.
In the descending line of the generations of men,
Mr.. HASTINGS one step downwards from my own.
More than thirty years ago his father then my perso-
nal and political friend, member Of this body,
while was repre- enting the Legislature of our native
Commonwealth in the other branch of the National
Legislature. La The ordinary course of human affairs
it would have been TO be expected that he should
have been called perform for me the melancholy Of
ice of afflicted friendship and respect which am now
d rforming for hun. He first came here with bodily
frame robust and athletic but for the last two years
his health has been gradually declining. During
large portion of the present session of Congre s,
though faithfully here at his post he was disabled from
giving his attendance at the daily meetings of this
House; and about one m nth SINCE as lbe ravages
of the destroyer encroachng upon the s"urc OF
life within him. he repaired to the Sulphur Springs in
Virginia. in the ian hope OF recovering bv The effect
of these salubruus waters but, under the operation
of mremedia Bile disease, ON The 18th of this month,
sunk without struggle into the repose OF the grave
shy strangers honor,d and by strangers mourned"
Mr. HASTINGS was never married his parents have
long since paid the debt Of nature The nearest and
tenderest ties of human existence not lacerated
by his death; but he left surviving brother-him-
self member of the highest responsibility, now or
recently member of the Senate of the Common
wealth of Observation-Disclosures lie left multitudes of
friends in whose memory he will live as long as llf
remains with them, as | huDbly hope and trust, he
will live forever the blessings of better world.
MIR. ADAMS then submitted the following resolu-
tons, which were UNANIMOUSLY adopted:
D. Tliat hash w
sibty the death of the Hon. VIM. SoDEN Has
rINGs-a member of tn House from the State of
Massachusetts-which took place at the Red Sui
phur Springs, in the State Of Virginia. on the 18th
instant.
Resolved That the members of this House will tes-
tfy their respect for the memory of the deceased by
wearing Grape the left arm for thirty days.
Resolved That the Speaker of this House commu-
ncae the Executive of the State OF Massachusetts
that vacancy has occurred in he representation of
the Ninth Congressional District oil that State.
On motion OF Mr.. BRIGGS,
The House adjourned.
In the Senate the reading of the Journal was dis
pensed viii, and message received from the
House of Representatives, by It's Clerk announcing
to the Senate the death of the Hon. WILLIAM S.
HASTINGS late Representative from the State of
Massachusetts which being read
Mr.. BATES addres sed the Senate as follows:
Mr. PRESIDENT As advance IN age, the no
tees Of the death of those who have been OF our &C
uuaintance become and more frequent; and,
1--WE me leave to add, more and more admonishlng-
During the present session OF Congress The House OF
Rel resent atIves has announced the Senate the
death of no less than four OF members and the Sc.
nate has been panied by the loss OF one of the most
worthy respected and most cherished of own;
and, grieves think it, again OF another. Mr. Pre-
sident these events although they cannot stop the
progress of the hours upon the diapa,e, demand of
US at least pouse--a pause for our own sake and
not for our own SAKE merely, but pause that may
do what we can in af ction by respectful tokens
Of sympathy and regard, to mitigate the affection of