Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1842-02-10
Ewentp=SrUemtb Gomgrfas.
SECOND sEssl ON.

| ~
ced from the House. stating that il concurred
in the amendment of the Senate TO the bill
authorizing the isGuc of Treasury notes.
The bill was then signed by the President oi
\ Mr.. Simmons rose and addressed the Sen
ate a. follows;
II Mr.. President: My position imposes on
me the painful duty to announce To the Sen
ate the death of my colleague, the Hon. Ma
THAN FELLows Dixon, of Rhode Island II
took place on Saturday last, at noon. | wit.
|, messed the event. Ii was accompanied by
every consoling circumstance which can be
| mingled with such mn nfillcton. IL was at.
tended by moderate, no; excruciating pain
by the presence, to tho last, Of a clear and
unt l,udcd mind: and by a composure which
enabled my deceased friend to breathe ont
! his life as upon pillow Of rest. Having said
this, my feelings would direct me to sit down
and silently commune with the emotions
which this allusion to the event revives.-
| Those who have recently witnessed such a
scene can feel how lInpotent is language TO
describe il, or the emotions which II produces.
/ When we witness such a separation as
death produces, the mind earnestly seeks ia
catch CLEAN Of that hope which the spirit
has fled to, md The eye turns again to gaze
|
| We silently say, what a wonderful transition!
1 The intellect cannot comprehend his mystic
| ries, and we come ont among ourselves Ia
| speak Of our loss, and to feel the distinct and
individual admoniton, that we also must fol-
| low!
| The loss sustained by us in the event
have now brought to the notice Of the Senate
|. is that Of benevolent, an honest man. Col
DIXON was born at Plainfeld, Conn. in DE
cember, IVA lie graduated at Rhode Island
College III 1900. lie studied law in his native
State, and came to Rhode Island in 1902 to
practice in the courts Of that State, while he
continued to pursue his professional labors in
his own. lie was married soon after, and
settled permanently in Rhode I-land.
II lie was a graduate Of the College Of that
State, near which he had always lived, and
where he had many acquantances. lie was
attached to our people and our institutions
Ours therefore, became his adopted State
| Subsequent events show that his aitachmen nj
was recprocated, and that lie no, only adop.
| ted Rhode Island, but was also adopted by
her people ms a son of that State. In 1913
he was elected a member Of the General As
.embly of the State, and was elected by the
same constituency at thirty four successive
elections. In October, 1885, he was elected
by Rhode Island member Of the Senate OF
the United States for term of six years, to
commence the March following.
H IN the councils of the State no occupied
a commanding position, won for himself by
The amcnity of his department, his great in.
teligence, and his sterling integrity.
/ Ofhis career IN this body, other Senators
become his colleague. had known him in
| ntelu f,r nd bava hen
! highly gratifcd to perceive, by the positions
assigned to him in the Senate, that his char.
ac,cr was thus appreciated; and especially
10 find in the more intimate relation of conf.
dental consolation, that he was eminenlly
honored by his friends. Others may have
| occupied more elevated positions, but none
more endearing ones. II was, however, il,
another sphere, and upon another theatre oI
usefulness that my colleague was most promi-
! nent. Ii was in hIs own neg hborhood among
his Numerous kindred, and IN his own family
that the distinctive characteristics Of his gen.
erous mind and his peculiar social qualities
have made their deepest impression; /; and it is
in the large space he filled among them that
| his departure will produce the most painful
| void. 1t is in the circles where The deepcs,
Impressions have been made by the life and
influence Of the deceased, that every conso
lation will be needed. 10 them, his life OF
usefulness, the position which he had attain.
ed his tranquil death, aad the kind attention
Of the individual members of the Senate ant
I's oflicers-atteDiions which leave no doub
of the general sympathy aud r"spec, of TIN,
body all these will be presented and com
mended to their relief.
H There will remain another duty Cor me I,
perform when shall visit the bereaved iam
.l.- i
has iransplred in the confidential intercourse
of private friendship, and in the sick room o
the deceased and it is Of q character which
trust will prove soace 10 them. Ii is il
such place that the virtues are tested
there, where a man sees in a shortened per
speciive the end of his journey, and disclose,
his reflections to his friend--where he find
the resources Of intellect and philosophy Civ,
way, and his affections grasp the consolation
and hopes of our holy religion, which gra
ciously invites US all to its benefcent pro
visions
Mr.. Woodbridge, (of Conn., rose and ad
dressed the Senate as follows
H Mr.. President: 1t seems TO have been tn,
custom from the foundation Of this Govern
ment, when member OF this body has beer
suddenly wresicd from 1t by the hand q
death, that the Senate should render som,
appropriate tribute OF respect to his memory
The custom is good one, for it ID founded
in the best feelings Of our nature. 1t is
good one, for it leads us to consider more sc
riously and more profoundly Of the character
and the object Of the high duties we are sen
here to perform. ii is n good one, for in II,
very observance we are sdmonlshod Of the
shorlness aud uncertainty Of our own lives
and Of The comparative worthlessness Of al
selfish, all ephemeral considerations. 1t chus
tens our affections f; it prepares us to look
alone, and with singlencss of purpose, to the
ultcrlor, future, and permanent good Of tho
whole country.
III Nor does the custom fail of producing
beneficial influences upon society beyond The
! limits of this Capitol: und especially in so fa
as such mark of respect to the memory Of th,
deceased, mnnifes,ly tends to strengthen tn,
moral ties which bind the People Of the Stat,
from which he may have come to the Go
vernmcnt itself! In accordance, then, will
The custom M sanctioned, resolutions hav,
been prepared IN the usual form, in relation
to the memory Of our friend whose deceast
! has just been announced to us.
II could hive wished, sir, that 1t had been de-
| volved upon some Older member, some mem
Der who had done more than have done I,