The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-03-02
TWENTY.EIGHTH CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.

Senate.
WASHINGTON, Feb. %, 1874
As soon as the journal was read Message was
announced from the President of the United
States
The Message having been read
Mr. RIvEs rose and addressed the Senate as fol-
lows:-
MI. PREsIpENr-The general feeling Of the Sc
nate has, am sure, already anticipated me IN what
have risen to suggest. The awful calamity COM
munlcated to us In the message OF the president
Just read, and which has made OF yesterday, with
all its unearthly brightness, one of the darkest and
most inausplcous days in our national calendar, IS
but too well known to the Senate IN all Its dreads
full details and heart-rending results Surely, Mr..
President in the serious ordinances OF God has
day earth been marked in its progress by such star
ling and astounding contrasts-oPepng and advancing
with harity and mutual congraulaon and patriotic
PRIDE and closing odeah and disaster Of lamen
ation and unutterable wo 1t was my sad fortune Mr..
President to be eyewitness Of these nevero beior-
gotten events If had language to describe them, the
power Of speech would fail me have rsen in the midst
vail around me, and under tho overpowering weight OF
my own feelings to suggest the propiety oil suspendns
our ordinary iabors ana pursuits an the presence ana
dence. has fallen to the lot Of my State to be the
chief mouner this melancholy occasion Two Of her
distinguished citizens filling high places in the civil gov
othe country have been cut down in the midst
their days and their usefulness and another her sons
gallant officer Of the navy has been destined to TALL
by disastrous accident deck which, under other
circumstances he might have illustrated by his vaor
But. in overwhelming calamity, which stands al.
tune all bear their equal and sympahzing share Sur
rounded. are every hand by the desolate wall
ing widow and the cry Of the orphan none
Of can be in state of mind to discharge with inte
gence and composure the duties which belong to uherc
Let then, Mr. President, bowling in all humility OF
spirit beneath this stroke of all wise and
Providence discard from minds for the cares
and excements oil daily duties in this hall Let us
lay to heart the monory lessons mpressively read to
in the events of yesterday that in the midst Of life
in DEATH, With this lesson engraven upon our
hearts, let keep constantly in view the eternal as well
temporal responsibilities under which all the duties OF
both public and private life are to be performed Let the
deep sense Of common calamity and mutual afiiction
unite closely by the ties Of brotherhood and a
lection Let us put away from us all bitterness and
wrath and evil speaking !" and when come together
again. under these christening influences, we shall all
feel, trust, how much better patriots are for being
better Christians
Nh r. concluded by submitting thelfollowing reso.
lutions -
Resolved, That the Senate is impressed with prol
found sense of the awful calamity which yesterday oc.
Cured board of the steamer Princeton by the explo
sion Of gun, involving the loss of many valuable lives
and among them Of Secretary Of State and Secretary
NResolved, That the Senate will attend in body the
obsequies fhe deceased members Of the Cabinet and
committee Of five be appointed to make arrangements
the House of Representatives for the funeral.
Resolved That the members Of the Senate will 60 into
mourning by wearing Grape on the left arm Tor thirty
days
Resolved That copy of the foregoing resolutions be
transmitted to the President of the United States
Resolved That in consideration OF this anctve dis
pensatiOn the Senate do adjourn to Monday next
The resolutions having been read, message was re-
ceved from the House of announcing the
action OF that body touching this awful calamity The
message read and concurred in.
The resolutions submitted by Mr.. Rives were unan
mously agreed to, and the following Senators ap
Senate to act in conjunction with the committee the
part Of the House of Representatives viz Messrs Rives
Archer, King, Woodbury. and Bayard. =,
The Senate, then, in accordance with its previou,
| action adjourned till Monday next.