Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1844-02-15

evidence OF the rapidly with which be was establish
cd IN popular favor and consideration in a land OF
strangers, was his election in lsl as a member
Of the convention for framing the constitution of
the State He soon attained distinction in his pro.
icssion and after some years of arduous and well
recompensed devotion 10 j, practice, he accepted
seat on the bench Of the Supreme court Of Louisi-
ana, the reported decisions OF which, during his
fifteen years service, attest the industry and ability
which he brought TO the discharge OF his judicial
du,ies--du,ics requiring, from the peculiar char
ac,er of our Jurisprudence greater range OF le-
gal studies than in any Of our sister States He
was intimately acquainted with the Roman,
French, and Spanish law and REQUIRED with IA
mliari,y to the original sources OF information in
those languages He resigned his Judgeship a.
bout the year 1880, and was soon after elected to
the Senate of the United States. His career while
there is familiar to all who hear me.
His health became so feeble as TO induce him
for several years to withdraw from public life
but he was again elected to the National Senate
at the last session of the legislature of Louisiana
The disease which had long been preying upon
his body, without inpairing the energy of the
mind, assuming greater intensity, he was unable
TO take his seat ; and he died on the 9th ut, at
his plantation, after protracted illness. Alexan-
der Porter was a learned lawyer, an eloquent ad-
vocnte, and an upright Judge His extensive and
varied reading, his great coloqual powers, ready
wit, and social disposition, fitted him TO appear to
advantage in the most brilliant and refined society.
His temperament was ardent, and he was Jealous
in his political creed but he did not permit pol,-
cal differences to affect his relations in private life
Widely differing from him on all great party
questions, have many years honored by his init.
macy: and knowing him as did, can with con
fidcnce assert, and that the manifestations of re-
spect which am now about to propose, could moi
be bestowed more fifty.
When his death was announced in the Senate
The Hon, Thomas H Benton, Senator from Mis-
souri,, made feeling address, from which W,
quote the following
Honors to the iustrous dead go beyond the dis
charge Of deb, of justice to their, and the rcndi
ton of consolation to their friends they becon
lessons and examples for the living. The sor,
of their humble beg inning and the noble conclusion
san example to be followed, an Indictment to be felt
And where shall we find an example more worth,
Of imitation, or more full encouragement, than ii
the life an character of Alexander Porter?-a la
of tender age-an orphan with widowed mothe
and younger chdren-the father martyred in tn
cause OF freedom-an exile before he was te
years old-an ocean to be crossed, and strang
land to be seen, and wilderness of thousan
miles. to be penetrated before he could find a res
ing place for the sole of his foot; then education
to be acquired, support to be earned, and even eli
izenship to be gained, before he made his own tai
ent available to his support; conquering all thes
J. difficulties by his own exertions, and the aid of
e affectionate uncle-U will name him, for the Der
n efactor of youth deserves to be named and name
d with honor in the highest places -with no othe
l. aid than that ofan uncles kindness, Mr. Alexar
d der Porter, Sen. merchant at Nashville, also a
y emlgrant from ireland, and full of the generor
qualities which belong to the children Of that soil
D this lad an exile and an orphan from the Oh
Il World, thus starting in the New World, with e.
erything TO gain before it could be enjoyed, 500
d attained every earthly object, either brilliant {
1. substantial for which we live and struggle in tn
d life.
III