Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-02-16
DEATH OF A SENATOR-TllE OR
PUAN BOY.

The death Of Senator Porter, which we
announced few days ago. was con,munica-
ted to the Congress of the United States on
on Friday. when Mr. Sidell, of Louisiana,
made the annexed remarks, which will be
read with interest. Senator Porter was a
distinguished representative Of the self made
men of our country, and his history is a
striking illustration of what an orphan boy
can accomplish, by industry, perseverance,
temperance and upright deportment.-Mr
Slidc said
The message which we have just received, com.
munlcaing the INTEL gence of the death of senator
OF Louisiana, devoves upon me, of the repre-
sentatives OF that State in conformity with esnb
lished and sautary usage, the duty of making some
brief observations the character and history Of the
deceased. 1t would perhaps be sufficient to say that
Alexander Porter had twice been chosen to discharge
the august functions Of representatinp the sovereignty
one Of the States of this great confederacy. Con-
suded as the Senate Of the United States has hereto
lore always been, land as trust it will be OF the men
most distinguished throughout the Union for lntc-
gence, virtue and paro sm, this fact alone affords
his most emphaticeulogum Blu, in that body, among
the very elite oil the nationthe intellectual giants Of
tho land-Alexander Porter occupied conspicuous
place He offered striking illustration of the happy
this proud emincnce unaided by any advenons ad
vantages oil fortune, connexon, or education. He
was the son Of an Irish clergyman who died upon
the scafold, martyr in the cause of liberty in that
memorable struggle (which. ending unsncces> fully
has been sgmatlzed as n rebellion; but which, had
it resulted differently, would have been recognized as
glorious revouOn-for all revolutions are but for.
tunate rebellons
The orphan child was brought to the United Siates
bv an uncle, at very tender age. He received in
Tennessee such an education could then be obtain
| hap1 o,I,. ..
, during the day to the business Of village shop, he
acquired at night, in the hours devoted by others
Amusement! or TO sleep, such simple rudments of law
as he could CLEAN from few elementary books loan
ed to him by those who felt interest in the young
student With this scany outfit of learning, he, soon
after arriving al manhood about the year 1909, emi.
grated 10 Louisiana and established himself in the
practice OF law, in the western part of the State The
best evidence of the rnpldy with which he established
himself in popular favor an consideration in land
p of strangers was his election in 1911. member OIL
the convention for framing the constitution of the
State. He soon attained distinction in his profession
and after some years of arduous and well-recompens
ed devotion to It's practice he accepted seat the
bench Of the supreme court of Louisiana the repored
decisions OF which, during his fifteen years service
attest the industry and ability which he brought &c
u the discharge of his judicial du,ies-du,ies requiring
u from the peculiar character of our jurisprudence,
greater range of legal studies than in any of our sister
4 States. He was intimately acquainted with the Ro
man, French, and Spanish law, and REQUIRED with ia
mlarty 10 the original sources Of information in those
ang01ges--he resigned his JudgeShlp about the
l. $780, and after elected to the Senate Of thu
e Unied States. His career while there is familiar tC
. all who hear me.
:. His health became feeble as to induce him fo
, several years 10 withdraw from public life; but he
II again elected to the national Senate the last session
l. of the Legislature of Louisiana. The disease which
= had long been prey ng upon his body without impair
ing the energy ofnis mind assuming greater nensi,,
he was unable 10 take his seat and he died the 3
! umo, at his plantation, after protracted and painful
u il ness. Alexander Porter was a learned lawyer al
eloquent advocate, and an upright Judge. His exen
2 sive and varied reading, his great cooqual powers
If ready wit, and social disposition, fitted HIM appea
!. to advantage in the most brilliant and refined society
His temperament was ardent and he was Jealous il
i his political creed; but he did not permit political dif
l. ferences to affect his relations in private life. Widely
o differing from him on all great party questions hav
l. been for many years honorcd by his intimacy; ant
}. knowing him as did, can with confidence assert
that the manifestations of respect which am nov
about to propose could not be bestowed more fifty
y When his death was announced in the Senate, tn
z Hon. Thomas II. Benton, Senator from Missouri
J. madesa feeling address, from which quote the fol
@ lowing:
. Honors to the illnstrous dead go beyond the dis
charge Of debt of justice TO them and the rendltio
e OF lion to their friends: they become lesson
and examples for the living. The story Of their hum
!. BILE beginning, and noble conclusion, is example
). be followed an ncltemen, to be felt And wher
IS shall we find an example more worthy of imitation
u more full of encouragement, than in the life an
e character Of Alexander Porter Ia lad of tender
1. an orphan with widowed mother and younger chill
IS dren-ho aher martyred in the cause of reedom-n
"a exile before he was ten years od-an ocean to b
Il crossed and strange land to be seem and wilder
~ ness OF a thousand miles, to he penetrated before h
IT could find resting place for the sole Of his foot the
it education 10 be acquired support to be earned an
even citizenship to be gained, before he could max
# his talent available TO hi support: conquerng
these difficulties by his own exertions, and the aid c
- an a''eclionaie unce-Q will name him, for the beno
facOr ofyouth deserves TO be named, and named wit
honor in the highest places)-w no other aid bu
lt that Oft uncles kindness Mr. Alexander Porter
merchant Of Nashville also emgran, from Ireant
" and full ofihe generous qualities which belong III
~ children of that soils this lad an exile and orphn
e from the Old World, thus starting in the New WorlC
10 with everything TO gain before ii could be enjoyed
e attained every earthly object either brilliant
if substantial for which we live and struggle in this l