Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1842-03-01
TwEXrY-sEyEYTI CONGRBss.
Washington. February 81. l9ts
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
HIN Lewis Williams.

IOOSE VI hcflkf-SLN AIlNE
HIN Lewis Williams.
As soon Is the reading Of ihe Journal was cohclu-
d cd.
Mr. n Rayner rose 10 perform a painful and mo.
lanchuly duty. The Hos Lewis Williams. SAID
Mr. X is no more. lie expired after a short but
most severe attack of thiry-six hours BIT two
days since he was here; AMI now he i, dust What
n sad comment upon the weakness OF human pas.
Sums and the nCIhigncss Of party factions. AZ for
he manner IN which Mr. Williams discharged his
duty here he needs no labored eulogy from me-
All present will testify that he was always constant
and nssiduOus ia lis perform INC e-Ihat he was al.
ways amongst the fT, in his seat aud The las, to
leve the Hall.
Neither i~nclemency Of weather nor any personal
Inconvenience Deferred him from his attendance q.
Well IN right he be called To political piiriarh,-
Though hut So pears of age he has sp M nearly
the whole OF has lie in public So. vice. Tie first Ell
Tered political life IN The Legislature Of his native
State IA 1913. and he has been for twcntySeven
yenrs a member of This House lie was for years the
Chairman Of the committee on Claims. and although
he guarded The public treasures like a walchful sen.
iinel yet his ear was never closed 20 the claim. of
those who furnished any proof of their justice.
HIS talents were rather useful than a,lentatIous;
he rarely spike but when he did undertake. 10 I'd.
dress the House, oil style was a. stern and hold s IL
VAS vigorous and effective. And how often sir.
when this House has been involved in disorder and
confusion have a few words from his lips been sufi.
cieniio relieve ~ from amharras,mrnt and Difficult.
" lie was distinguished for his dignity and decor.
un' and always char table % those " ho differed in
opinion with hIm. where he-saw that Ibis difference
Was sincerely entertained. The prcccuts winch
he uttered were Strengthened by his private exam.
pie.
HIS course has indeed been e~vcntful fr the last
QUARTER Oi 4 crntnry; he has viewed all the shifting
scenes IN a political drama. he has seen parties sue.
'e>1'Ne'y rise and fall, he has beheld tie nation ia
every aspect OF prosperity and adVersity-and never
IN her darkest scenes Of trial las he ceased to 1--we
his country. Ling as he has bee before IL. and
erfs"rous as the world Is, who is there Thai will
not oheiainn' an honest aud a viriuous man has diedi
""a'a ioS ic has county ani constituents How
Oi'eh nave we az pealed to his wisdom ard relied
uIon has candu:.
such Was he in public life and in his private &
uomosilc relations he was not lcss remarkable for pu.
Hy and gooineSs Of che racler. Has heart asd nurse
"eSe always open. Early ia life no became aIlarh.
cd 70 The Presbyterian Church. Of which he has al.
ways continued an exemplary member and those
who saw him in tae last moments Of his if, when
he resigned his spirit to that Good Being on whom
ne relied have al least beheld how a Christian can
Mfr X then sent to The Chair the custom, ry resolu.
lions.
The Hon J q Adams then rose. and for n mo
nent the hum Of voices and hustle Of members CROW
ding about him prevented our hearing a few ssnten.
ces. When We did catch his vOiee which VA, sinh.
dued and affecting. he was say was ba
the father Of this Hall. and dignity could not pbssiblv
have devolFed upon one better calculated u sustain
II HIS Gala and unpretending manners, his aH-c.
ton, hs unsnllied patriotism. all combined 10 give
him a quiet pHteunal character.
1 have known Mr. Williams Tor twenty five years.
and FOR all this period hns he been marked for a
faithful, consistent and upright man, How u6en
when the gall md womwOOd Of personal animn.ty
were Pervading The breasts Of members 10 this Hal
has a single word from his lips sufic-d 10 recall a,
10 a sense OF what and where we were. Sir. Tho
loSs Of such a man rs Mr. Williams is Al any finn.
a subject Of grief: hut at Ibis particular conin,iurs
when The councils ofihe country are distracted by
opposing Interests and factions. his l0as NAV lie t,,
ly sold 10 DO inepaahlei IfIs seat here &c yac,n,
We shall n ever again sec his cOuntenauce nor Lcsr
his voice within thsse walls.
j have always regarded The continued services Of
Mr. Williams. for many years as the Representative
Ofhis district the un1averins attachment of his con-
sIiIuonls 10 him, and his long tried fidelity 10 tAem
as characteristic OF North & IrUlina. Sir, II IL were
possible for any Northern man in this House: really
To entertain feelings and sentiments in favor of dis.
union these feelings might well be checked by the
reflection that in such an event he would no longer
be n cCunuyman Of Lewis Williams.
Mr. G Johnston followed Mr. A in a brief and
feeling tribute Of respect 10 the memory af The de-
ceased and tho House rier taking order for the ia.
Gerul adjourned.