The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-02-03
TWENTY.EIGHTH CONGRESS-,
FIRST SESSION. s
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1914.
SENATE.

On motion it was agreed that when the Senate
adjourn, it should adjourn to meet again on Mon
day next.
Mr.. BARROW rose to announce with I'M
feigned sorrow an event of the most painful
character. His colleague and friend departed
this life on the 18th ultino
BY the death of Senator Porter Louisiana loses
her most talented citizen, and the nation is de-
prived Of the services of pure patriot and en-
lightencd statesman. Under such a national ca
lamity, was not for him to speak of the personal
bereavement he had sustained by the death of his
friend. 1t the usuage such occasions to present
brief sketch of the life and character Of the de.
ceased. He should regret, most deeply, his lin
tied knowledge of the parentage and early career
of his friend, did he not know that history looks
to other sources, to take care OF her great men,
than the ephemeral euogies of partial friends.
Judge Porter's father was well educated Irish
gentleman, by profession a minister of the Cos
pei; but the fires of patriotism and the love of
liberty glowed warmly in his bosom, and he cast
aside the sacerdotal robes, and took up the arms
OF the warrior in his country's defence. History
informs us of the il-made but petriotic effort of
49, and the same pages tell us that the father of
Judge Porter fell martyr in that attempt, and
was executed as a rebel.
Compelled in his youthsto leave the land of his
nativity, the orphan Porter, with his widowed
mother and younger brother, sought an asylum
here and established himself in Natchez. in
which place he found that hospitality and protec-
ton for which her citizens have always been pro-
verbal. There he entered store as clerk, and,
while thus employed in supporting himself and
mother, he did not neglect the cultivation Of those
talents with which nature had so bounti(uly en-
lowed him. In the few years that he was thus
occupied, he laid deep and broad the foundation
of that legal learning which will hand his name
down to posterity one of the brightest judicial
lights of his age. In 1909 he sought new home,
and emigrated to the territory Of Orleans, and
settled in the country of Attakapas, where he
lived and died, honored for his private virtues and
public services. The first public station in which
he was placed by the confidence of the people
around him was, as member of the conve ntion
OF 1872, to form constitution for the territory of
Orleans. Among the number of intelligent men
by whom Judge Porter was then surrounded, he
stood forth conspicuous for his integrity, learning
and craftsmanship. He was afterwards elevated
to the Supreme Court, in which station he rem
dered services to the people of Louisiana beyond
all appreciation. His system of Jurisprudence
will survive the wreck of empires, and contiue
while civilization finds resting place on earth.
He could confidently appeal to the learned jurists
of the nation, who were familiar with Judge Por-
tcrs career, to say if his opinions as Judge of the
Supreme Court did not enttle him, from their
learning, depth, and power Of analysis, 10 rank
with the great, pure, and immortal Mansfield.
His health sank under the severe labors of his