Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-02-08
"ENrY-EiGHTH CoNG.Ess--fif., Session

~ y l..
iitar the Journal was read

SENATE.
Alter The Journal was read
Mr. BARROW and III most touching manner
annouuc The dcala OF the lion 4 Potter a Senator
from Louisiana.
MI BARROW concluded hy moving The usual ra-
solutions Tor wearing GRAPE, and respect 10 HE
memory of the deceased the Senate adjourn
Alr BEAIO seconded the motion, and made some
eloquent remarks relative the character Of the de-
ceased
The resolutions were then adopted, and The Senate
adjourned
HOUSE or REPRESENTATIVE
hlr. ADAMS called for tic ord, r Of tie day beng
the
:, REPORT OK TIE RULES
~. niDDiAGS rose and I'm saed his remarks
aSat he btn rule, and in favor oil Abolition; contst
ding That slavery vas against the law oi God
"lr Sl.lDEl.!. ta"n addressed the House follows
hr SfEAktn: The message which we have Just r,
cei''d, COMMUNICATING the intelligence oi tie death
Senator oi louisiana dcvuycs upan me- a one %, Tia,
Reprt seu'ativcs Of that STATE conformity with an r
tabllshed and sanitary usage the duty Of making some
hf'ei observations on the character and hSory of the
deceased II would, perhaps, BE- sufficient say That
Alexander Porter had twice been chosen 10 discharge
The august functions OF representing the oNetegnty Of
one al The States oi THIS great coned-racy.
Constituted as the Senate al the n:ed States has
heretofore always been, aud trust II Will ever be- OF
the men most distinguished throughout The unon Tor
intelligence, virtue, and patriotism, ts fact alone a.
lords his most platte euloglum Bot IN that body
among the very elite Of The nation the mt Iec,ual D.
ants OF the land, Alexander Porter occupied consp-
cuous flice. lie offered striking Illustration of the
happy working OF free institutions for he had At
famed tnis proud emincnce nnaided ry any advent
tlous advantages Of fortune conaectloi education
lie the oil an Irish c.crgyurn. uho died upon
the scatod, martyr IN the cause o! !lborty,,E that
memorable struggle which ending unsuccessuly, has
hecn sTmatized rebellion, bat u llch had result
ri differently, would have been recognized as ! ro;i
revolutions; for all revolutions trf lurunate re-
beions. The orphan chli was brought 10 the United
Stats by an uncle CT very tender age; he received,
in Tennessee such education could then b.
obtained al common country school and while attend.
ing during the day 10 the business al village SHOP.
CURED at night III tho hours devoted by others
ment TO sleep, such supple rudlments cf law as he
could CLEAN from .e@ elementary books, loaned IL
hun by those who letam :ntereS the young student
With ths scanty outfit o! learning, h after arrly
ing al manhood, nbout the year -09 cingra,cd 10
Louisiana, and Established himself IN the practice OF The
law IN the Western part Of the Stat. The best
dence o. the rapdiiy with which he established himself
in popular favor ami consde land Of strangers
was his election in Isl! as member of the Convcn
ton for framing the Constitution OF tie State. lie
soon attained distinction IN his profession, aud after
years OF arduous and well recompensed devotion
II its practice he accepted seat the bench of the
Supreme Court of Louisiana, the reported decisions OF
which, during has fifteen yeas service, attest the
dustry and ability which he brought 10 the discharge
oil his judicial dues -duties requiring, from the pecu
liar character ot Jurisprudence urea, range OF
legal studies Than any o sister States lie Vas
Intimately acquainted with the Roman, French aud
Spanish law, and REQUIRED with familiarity 30 the orig
nal sources oi information III those languages lie re-
signed his lndgeshp about The year 1870 and
after elected to the Senate If lhe United States his
career while there IL familiar to ali who hear His
health became feeble rs induce him. for several
years, 10 Withdraw from public life; but he vas again
elected 10 the National Senate the last session Of the
Legislature OF Louisiana. The disease winch had long
been prrying upon his body, without imparng the
energy vi his mind assuming greater intensity, he
was unable To take his seat, aad he died the l3h
ultimo, al his ri in,aon, after potaced aud painful
illness.
Alexander Porter wes learned lawyer, an eloquent
advocate, md an upright nudge. His extensive and
varied reading, his great collpquial powers, ready
ard social disposition, fitted him appear advantage
in the most brilliant and refined socfc,y. lis temper
ancut ardent, and he jealous his political
creed but he did not permit political rrences 10 affect
his relations iii private life. Widely differing from han
The great party questions, have been for many years
honored by his intimacy, and. knowing hun ~ ] did, |
with confidence assert that The manifestations ot
respect which about II propose, could not be
bestowed more tt,ngiy.
Mr., VANCE rose la SECOND III, motion OF the gen
ieman from Ohio and sad that he would embrace TIA.
opportunity 81 paying just tribute %! respect 10 Aes
ander Psrter, whom he knew well lis name does
not belong alone TO this nation, but 10 the civilized
world, with whom liz would drop tear. The name OF
Alexander Porter closely a"*oc'a'sd with the histc
ry of the State Of Louisiana, and OF ira,
reflection that should call - mns the dispense
ton OF H. avcn that reache, not only high, ha, low pa
crs He concluded his address by paying handsome
tribute 10 the life and character oil his !rend and pa
triot, Alexander Porter.
And then the House adjourned.