Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-03-21
UNITED STATES SENATE.
MONDAY, March II, 1915.

Tr WEBSTER rose, and with solemnity
which held in The deepest silence the crowded au-
ditory. and with an emotion which penetrated
every heart-which attimes drew tears from many
a manly as well as female eye, aud which more
Than once embarrassed and suspended his own Ut
terance, addressed the Senate as follows:
While we are Fastening TO bring our session 10
a close, a melancholy event, the iorecoming sha,
dow Of which, growing every hour deeper ana
darker. has hung over us for some days, al length
arrests our attention. One OF our number IS no
more. Isaac CHAPMAN BATES, Senator from
Massachusetts, departed this life, at his lodgings
in this city, Yesterday, al twenty minutes past
o'clock in the afternoon, In The si&ty-sSln year
Of his age.
for onr respective homes, 10 meet the circles OF al
lection and friendship which are ready to vel
come us. i, has pleased Heaven that he should
pass that bourne whence no traveller returns.
Mr.. Bates had undoubtedly much overworked
himself in the discharge OF the duties OF his STA
zion during the late session OF Congress. Area
DIV falisued and exhausted, he vet felt il TO be his
duty, on one of the last nights of that session, 10
make an effort which severely tasked his remain
ing strength, and seemed 10 PROSTATE his powers.
He appeared in his seat, for the last time, on the
las, day of the last month"; though then i'll, no such
catastrophe as has since happened was, al Inc
time. apprehended But after that day he did not
leave his home nor hardly his bed his danger
GUS situation soon becoming apparent, ms ianiny
were sent for, and his wife and son were shorty
at his beside. ). -
All that the highest degree OF medical skill
could do. all that could be attempted by the solicit
,ude of anxious friends all that could be suggest
ed by coniusal and flial affection, was done, 10
the utmost, 10 save his life. But all was in vain.
The will of Heaven was Otherwise. he had
touched on his last hour he had reached The end
of his earthly career; his Maker called him 10 ano-
Their world.
Mr.. Bates was born at Granville, in the State
of Massachusetts, and was educated at l ale Col
lege. Adopting the law as his profession, ne pro-
secuted his studies, for time, under eminent in
structors in New Haven, and afterwards with
The late Judge Hinckley, of Northampton.
His ability and learning, and his high and no
norable character soon led 10 professional dis
,inction. and in due time placed him IN the rank
of The most eminent LAWYERS and advocates IN
the par, of the country in which ne resided
But the bar was moi long his only sphere OF ac-
zion. The confidence of the community in his
ability and fidelity and its appreciation o. ms
he rendered long and valuable service in both
branches of the Legislature OF the State, and in
lis Executive Council. But larger field opened
10 him. and nearly twenty years ago ne became
a member OF the House OF Representatives ia
Congress. In that body he remained eight years,
sustaining his character, through the whole perl
Oh, as gentleman OF probty and honor, OF a de-
portment at once manly and courteous, ana as
much distinguished for The ifinness with winch
he maintained his own opinions and principles,
as for The liberalily and candor which he always
manifested TO those who differed from him.
His subsequent election 70 The Senate shows the
sense which his native State entertained of The
value of his public services, and her confidence
In his further usefulness.
or this body he was a member for five years
may not now, and here speak OF his political
principles or opinions, The measures ne espoused,
or the measures which he opposed. But may
speak of him, am sure, with the concurrence OF
every one VINO hears me, as gentleman OF up
RICHNESS and talent OF manly and honorable bear
Ing. worthy 70 fill seat here, by his intelligence
and character, his Just conception OF the duties OF
his situation. and his conscientious devotion TO The
discharge of those duties In this Chamber, |
am sure, he had not an enemy. The morning
salu,a,ons of all Of MS were given 10 no one with
more hearty good will. While his intelligence
commanded respect, his social virtues ana his
eminent kindness and good feeling won universal
esteem The interest felt in him BY his associates
in this BODY. could in no way have been more
strongly manifested than b. their daily and hour
~ and mos, solcitous inquiries during The pro-
gress of his illness; and all feel that his decease
has left void in our circle as men and as Sena-
tors, not easy 10 be filled.
MIR. Bates was not over ambitious 10 attract
attention as public debaer In that respect nc
was far more distinguished for abstinence and re-
tirement than for oblrusveness. tie lett occasion
10 find him oaf, and call him out. Yet he was an
able speaker and an eloquent man. His thoughts
were clear his topics well chosen, and his illus
tralions often quite happy and convincing. His |
manner was natural, simple, earnest These |
qualities rendered him eminent and successful IN
addresses 10 The jury. To The hour of his DEATH
he had no superior for such efforts among those
with whom he prac,ised. He spoke with as much |
manifest fairness OF purpose dealt 50 ingenious
is with opposing arguments, and put 50 much OIL
his heart into his acts and into his words. that
those who listened to him were apt 10 find them
selves persuaded and convinced, without once
thinking that there had been any exhibition OF ora
tory or rhetoric II was his case which he put
forth, and no, himself With no studied power
of speech, no artistical preparation, ne Appeared
a, once with singular felicity 10 the good sense
and the right feeling Of those whom he addressed.
In this body, while not neg!eciin OF more pro-
miucnt and conspicuous subjects, he gave con-
.tant attention 20 the duties of the Committee
on Pensions, OF which he was chairman. All
know that the application 10 particular cases OF
The general principles which the Government
has adopted on that subject, is Difficult, and deli
cate in no inconsiderable degree. Carefully ao-
staining from going beyond established rules, he
spared no pains in the investigation oil cases IN
which parties appeared TO have claim on The
bounty OF the country Many Revolutionary
veteran vet lives TO bless his memory: many an
aged widow owes her daily bread to his benevo-
lent, patient, and assiduous abors.
Mr. Bates's death will severely wound many
hears among family, domestic, and social friends.
There is partner ofhis lie, now soon TO iol-
low his remains 10 the family vault; there are
sons, and daughters, and kindred OF various de-
grecs will no! invade the sanclity OF their Sor-
row by empty words of attempted constellation
They will look for solace 10 resignation and le-
Iieions faith, and bow hnmbly 10 the will q S;ri.
When information Of his death shall reach the
beautiful village in which he lived il will b. a
day of general grief see many mayed ana -
nerable form, known TO me. and better known 10
him, leaning TREMENDOUSLY on his staff, and she'd
ding copious tears al The sad intelligence. see
The middle aged pause in their pursuits 10 regret
The death OF neighbor, an adviser, and friend
SEE The youth, OF both sexes lamentinS that The
mansion, always open 10 their innocent assoca-
lions, always made instructive BY the CONVERSE
ton and Kindness Of lis head, is now closed
against its accustomed visilerS by the stroke OF
death; and hear the solemn tones which shall
call afflicted families and an afflicted neighhor-
hood into the house of God, to pay respect 10 his
memory, and supplicate the consultations of Iei-
gion.
Mr. President, l have spoken OF my deceased
colleague in his professional and public charac-
Ter. and in his social and domestic relations But
MIR Bates was conscious Of relation higher
Than all these. He felt deeply and sensibly that
there was a Supreme Author Of his being, and
all beings, and that he had a connection with a
world 10 come. He was believer in Chrisiani-
", and devoutly thankful for the revelation of the
New Testament.
Several years ago, and before his entrance on
public life. he united himself with church in
The town in which he lived and continued mem
Der to his death. There is reason TO believe that
his lao, hours were cheered by the light OF Chris
tian hope He uttered no repinnS, but express,
ed his willingness 10 depart, ii such was The VIII