The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-02-01
Tmemtp=Er0enth Congress.
SECOND SESSION.
IN SENATE,
MONDAY, January 81, Is.

DEATH OF THE HON. ~ - D'Ao'''
MIR. SIMMONS arose and said
Mr. PREspEsT-My position imposes upon me the
painful duty announce to the Senate the death OF
my colleague, the Honorable NATHAN FELLOWS DIX
ON, of Rhode Island, which took place on Saturday
last at noon.
| witnessed the event 1t was accompanied by
every consoling circumstance which can be mingled
with such affection; and il was attended by mod
crate not excrucatng pain, and by the presence, to
the last, of clear and unclouded mind, and by a
composure which enabled my deceased friend to
breathe out his life upon pillow of rest Having
said this, my feelings would direct to sit down
and silently commune with the emotions which this
allIsion to the event revves. Those who have re-
Gently witnessed such a can feel how impotent
is language to describe it, or the emotions which it
produces. When witness such separation as
death produces, the mind earnestly seeks to catch
CLEAN of that hope to which the Spirit has fled, and
the eye turns again to gaze on the desolate body
which it has left behind; and we silently say, what
wonderful transition! The intellect cannot compre
bend its mysteries, and out among ourselves
to speak of loss and to feel the distinct and in
dividual admonition that we also must follow
The loss sustained by us in the event have
brought the notice Of the Senate that of bene
violent and an honest man. Col. Dixon was born at
Piainfeld Connecticut, in December, l774. He gra-
duated at Rhode Island College in 1852 he studied
law in his native State and came to Rhode Island in
1902 practice law in the courts of that State while
he continued to pursue his professional abors in his
own. He married soon after, and settled perma-
nently in Rhode Island. He graduate of the
college oftha State, which he had always lived
and where he had many acquaintance. lie was at
tached to our people, and our institutions. Ours,
therefore, became his adopted State. Subsequent
events show that his attachment was ecprocated and
that he not only adopted Rhode Island but was also
adopted by her people Of that State. la 1885
he was elected member of the General Assembly OF
that State and was elected by the constituency
hrty-four successive elections. In October, 1913,
he was elected by Rhode Island member Of the Sc
nate of the United States for term Of six years to
commence the March following.
In the counsels of the State he occupied command
ing position, won for himself by the amenty of his
department, his great intelligence, and his sterling
integrity.
Of his career in this body other Senators know
more than do having but recently become his col
league. had known him intimately for sixteen
years, and have been highly gratfed to perceive, by
the positions assigned to him in the Senate that his
character was thus appreciated; and, especially, to
find in the intimate relation Of confidential
suation that he emnenty honored by his friends.
Others may have occupied more elevated positions,
but none more endearing ones 1t was, however, in
another sphere, and upon another theatre of useful
ness, that my colleague was most prominent. 1t was
in his own neighborhood, among his numerous kin
drou and in his own family that the distinctive cha
racterstics of his generous 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 these deepest impressions
have been made by the life and influence of the
deceased, that every consolation will be needed
To them his long life Of usefulness the position he
had attained his tranquil DEATH and the kind attention
ofindvidual members of the Senate and ofits officers
attentions which leave doubt of the general
sympathy and respect of this body-all these will be
presented and commended to their relief.
There will remain another duty for to perform
when shall visit the bereaved family. This will be
detail to them that which has anspired in the con-
fdential intercourse of private friendship and in the
sick of the deceased; and it is of character
which trust will prove to them solace in their af
fiction.
1t is in such place that the virtues are tested
there, when man sees, in shortened prospective
the end ofhis Journey and dscoses his reflections to
his friends-where he finds the of intellect
and philosophy give way, and his affections grasp
the consultations and hopes ofo holy religion which
graciously invites all to share in its benefcent pro-
visions.
Mr.. WOODBRID GE remarked that it seemed to
be the custom, when a member grasped by the
hand of death, for the Senate to extend some tr-
butte of respect to the memory of the deceased. The
custom good one for it gave them occasion
to display the best feelings Of their nature, and led
them to think seriously and profoundly of the
character and objects of those duties which they had
been here perform; in its very observance they
were admonished ofhe shortness and the uncertainty
of their lives and OF all worthless and ephemeral
siderations and, while it characterized their afec-
tons it looked forward to The permanent good of the
Republic nor did this custom fail to produce benef-
cia influences beyond the walls Of the Capitol. He
would have preferred that older Senator than
hmself-one who had assisted more than he had to
build up the honor and character of the Senatehad
thought it to be his duty TO prepare resolutions to the
memory Of their late friend, who was conspicuous for
the soundness of his judgment, the equanmity Of
his mind, and the honesty Of his heart. 1t was his
happiness to be an inmate under the same roof with
the Departed and he possessed, he hoped, share
of his afrectionate regard The same State gave them
BIRTH and his early friends the friends of the do
ceased These considerations, therefore, among
Others, had induced him to submit the following reso-
utons. He did this the more especially, because
none could estimate than he did, the Ingenious
ness OF character the equanimty Of feeling and the
love of country, which distinguished their friend.
p..oI,.J That Committees he