The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1844-02-23

and so faithfully perform.
In performing this office, | have. lit
orally, but little else to DO but to second
the motion of the senator from Louisiana,
MIR. Brown The move has done ample
justice TO his great subject. He also had
the advantage of long acquaintance and
intimate personal friendship with the de-
ceased. He also knew him OH the banks
Of the Cumberland, though too young to
belong to the circle Of young lawyers and
law students, of which the junior mem
berthe young Alexander Porter-was
the chief ornament and delight. But he
knew him--lUng and mtimaiely-and has
given evidence Of that knowledge in the
iust the feeling, the cordial, and Impress
i've ealogium which he has just delivered
on the life and character Of his deceased
friend and colleague. He has presented
to you ihe mature man, as developed in
his ripe and meridian age: he has pre-
sented to YOU the finished schOlar-the
eminent lawyer-thc profound Judge
the distinguished senalor-lne fine patriot
the constant lriend--the honorable man
the brilliant converser-the social,
witty compamon. He has presented to-
you the ripe fruit, Of which saw the early
blossom, and Of which felt the assurance,
more than thirty years ago, that ii would
rpen into the golden fruit which we have
all beheld.
Mr.. President, this is no vain or empty
ceremonial in which the senate is now
engaged. llonors to the illus,rious dead
60 beyond the discharge Of the deb, of
Justice to them, and the rendition Of con-
ISOLATION to their friends: they become
lessons and examples for the living. The
story of their humble beginning, and no.
bic conclusion, is an example TO be fol-
lowed, and an Indictment 10 be felt. And
whers shall we find an example more
worthy Of imitation, or more full of en-
enlargement, than in the life and charac-
ter Of Alexander Porter Ia lad OF tender
age--au orphan with widowed mother
aud younger children-the father martyr
ed in the cause Of freedum-an exile be-
fore he was ten years old--an ocean 10
be crossed, and strange land to be seen,
and a wilderness of thousand miles 10
be penetrated before he could find rest
ing place for the sole Of his foot then
education 10 be acquired, support to be
earned and even citizenship to be gained,
before he could make his own talents
available 10 his support: conquering all
these difficulties by his own exertions,
and the aid of an a1eclionatc uncle-lI
will name him, for the beneiactor OF youth
deserves 10 be named, and named with
honor in the highest places with no
other aid but that of an uncle's kindness.
Mr.. Alexander Porter, SEN, merchant Of
Nashville, also an emigrant from Ireland,
and full of the generous qualities which
belong to the children of that soil 4: this
lad, an exile and orphan from the Old
World, thus starting IN tie New World
with every thing 10 gain before 1t could
be enjoyed. soon attained every earthly
object, either brilliant Or substantial, iol
which he lived and struggled in this life
Honors, fortune, friends the highes
professional and political distinction
long supteme judge in his adopted
state twice senator in the congress o
the United States-wearing all his hon
ors fresh and growing 10 the last momen
of his life---and the announcement Of hi:
death followed by the adjournmen, o
the two Houses Of the American Con
gress What noble and browning con
clusion TO a beginning so humble, ant
so apparently hopeless llonors to
such a lle--the honors which we nov
nav to the memory of P0rlcr--are no
mere offerings to the dead, or mere con
ISOLATION to the feelings of survivin!
friends and relations they 90 further
and become incentives and inducemeut
to the ingenious youth of the presen, an
succeeding generations, encouraging Ihei
hopes, and firing their spirits win gen
erous emulation.
Nor do the benefits of these honor
stop with individuals, nor even with mass
es, or generations ofmon. They are no
confined to persons but rise TO insfih,
: tionS--lo the noble republican institu
tons under which such things can be
r Republican government itsell--that gov
, ernment which holds man together in tn
proud state of equality and lberty-thi
government is benefited by the exhibi'io
Of the examples such as we now celebrate
and by the rendliions of the honors sue
0 as we now pay. Our deceased bro,he
I senator has honored and benefited on
5 free and republican institutions by til
, manner in which he has advanced him