The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-12-13
DEATH OF GEN. DAWSON OF LOUIS
ANA.

a.
On Wednesday. Mr.. Harmanson. rose and ad-
dressed the House as follows -
Ills, indeed, Mr. Speaker painful duty have
TO perform, TO announce To this honorable body the
demise of one of lis most gifted members, my
friend and predecessor, Gen. j. b. DAWSON, of
| Lon isana, member elect to 29lh Congress
| He was called into public life, Mr. Speaker, at
a very early age and, guided by his noble nature
embraced the Jeffersonian doctrines, the great hu-
MANNING cause of equal rights; and he fervenlly
believed, sir, if fairly carried out, they would
produce higher civilization. a more perfect hap
piness, mere refined virtue, and larger liberty
than has yet fallen 10 the lot of man. And, to at
tain the great ends, he labored with zeal, ener-
gy, and ability that gave him the unbounded con-
! fidence of his friends And his great courtesy
\ frankness, and noble bearing him the admi-
ration and esteem Of his opponents. Yet, Mr.
I Speaker, he had his fauts-some thought, grave
/ faults. But. sir, they were overshadowed by
I his many great virtues, that his friends, at least q,
were blind to them. He was highly intellectual &,
accomplished, generous, aud brave of the keenest
senslblIity He ever had tear of sympathy for
1 the oppressed. His purse open to relieve
distress. AS to fear, he was utter stranger To it,
! Indeed, sir, he was The very soul Of chivary-
He is gone, Mr.. Speaker; he is gone, sir. cut off
A in The meridian Of his life, in the zenith of his
usefulness. His fraIl constitution sank under your
cruel northern blasts But he had The great con
ISOLATION of reaching his beloved home-his be-
loved Tunica hIlls-aDd there to meet and
mingle with his relatives and friends; and Mr.
Speaker, their hearts sank within them when
they beheld but the wreck, the shadow, Of their
beloved DAWSON. They saw that his days
were numbered /; but hope, that great comforter,
| had not deserted him. He promised he would
soon get well. God, sir, willed otherwise. And
J MIR. Speaker, in the closing of his days he had
| the only satisfaction Of being surrounded by de-
voted friends, and angel wife, TO smooth his
pillow, to sooth and comfort him-of drawing his
| last breath in her arms, and giving her his last,
! long, farewell look. His grave, Mr.. Speaker,
was attended by all the surrounding country, rich
and poor, political friend and political foe. All
paid tribute to his many virtues, and all forget he
ever had faults.
Mr.. II. concluded by moving the following Teso-
4 lutons:
! 1. ResolUed, That this House has heard with
deep sensibility the annuncialion of the decease
| of the Hon. JOHN b. DAWSON, member elect
of this House from the State of Louisiana who
died at his residence in that State in the month
! of June last.
| 2. Rescued, That this House tenders the sur
1 viving widow and relatives Of the deceased the
expression OF lis sympathy on this bereavement,
and testimony of respect for the memory Of the
deceased, the members aud officers Of this House
will wear Grape on the left arm for thirty days.
| 3. ResoiUed, As further mark of respect for
! the memory of the deceased, that the House do
now adjourn.
| These resolutions was adopted unanimously
| And the House adjourned until tomorrow at
! IL o'clock.