The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-04-07
Moral and Religious,
Death of Senator Bates.

Hon. ISAAC Z. BATES, one OF the Senators IN
Congress from Massachusetts died at Washington,
March 10Th We give part Of tho remarks made by
MIR Webster in announcing the event to the Senate,
both account of the high moral and christian char
acter ascrbed Mr. Bates, and the solemn eloquence
Of the romarks themselves.
Mr. Webster rose, and with Il soemnty which held
In the deepest slence the crowded auditory, and with
emotion which penetrated every heart-whch at
times drew tears from many manly as well as ie-
male eye, and which moro than once embarrassed
and suspended his own uterance, addressed the Sen
ate follows:
While we are Fastening TO bring our session TO
close, melancholy event, the forecoming shadow OF
which, growing every hour deeper and darker, has
hung for some days, at length arrests our at
tention. One Of our number is no more. Isaac Chap
man Bates Senator from Massachusetts, departed
this life, at his lodgings in this city yesterday TWEEN
ty minutes past six o'clock in the afternoon, in the
sixty sixth year of his age.
At the moment when about TO separate for
our respective homes, to meet the circles Of friend
ship and affection which ready to welcome us,
il has pleased Heaven tina; he should pass that bourne
whence traveller returns.
Mr. Bates had undoubtedly much overworked him
self in the discharge othe duties Of his station during
the late session Of Congress. Already fatigued and
exhausted, he yet felt il to be his duty, OF
the last nights or that session. to make effort which
severely tNs ked his remaining strength, and seemed
PROSTATE his powers Ie appeared in his seat, for
the last time, the last day Of the last month;
though then i'll, such catastrophe has since hap
pened was, at that time, apprehended. But after thar
day he did not leave his home, hardly his bed
His dangerous situation becoming apparent, his
family was soon sent for, and his wife and son
shortly Mt his bedside
Mr. Bates was born at Granville, in the State OF
Massachusetts, and was educated at Yale College,
adopting he law his profession, he prosecuted his
studies for a time, under eminent instructors in New
Haven, and afterwards, with the lutN Judge Hnckey,
of Northampton.
Mr. President, I have spoken of my deceased col
league in his professional and public character, and
In his social and domestic relations. But Mr. Bates
was conscious of relation higher than all these
He felt deeply and reverently, that there was a su
preme Author of his being and of all beings and that
he had connection with world 10 come.
lie was believer in Christianity, and devotedly
tAankful for the revelation of the New Testament
He united himself to a church in the town In which
he lived, and continued member to his DEATH
IneTc ~ redSOH 10 UOpo HdL MS last hVus "oio
,cheered by the light of Christian hope. He uttered
no repining and expressed his willingness to DEPART
il such were tho will of his maker. Not that he did
not desire life, fer he enjoyed life and had much to
live for Domestic love, general respect, public hon
or, and consciousness Of usefuness-al these con-
spired TO render his life happy. Nor was it that he
looked with Indifference DEATH for who has such
icy stocism or rather who has such bluned sensib-
nlo ,,;,b
indifference n change of being and of worlds. but
he regarded death with all its errors but passage
to another state of existence-a state in which "ths
corruptlbe shall put interruption, and this mortal
shall put immortality"
"True; tits an awful thing to die
Twas even to him; but the dark vale once tTod
Heaven lifts its everlasting portals high,
And bids the pure in heart behold their God"
Mr. President, when of US rises here to an
the death ofa colleague, he canno, bu, reflect
that If he stays hero, the time must come, and he
knows not how soon, when another colleague must
perform that sad Office towards himself We know
that must follow departed associate, and nc
one knows how few steps he may now be behind
him. hope this reflection may chasten US in the
too hasty pursuits of worldly objects; may teach us
TO regard the world but the world; may inspire
with kindness, forbearance, and mutual good will
and lead us, while we with all powers the
country which honors us, to recoect still that we are
not here always, and that scenes not yet behed moi
comprehended, justly imagined, are before all.
REPENrANcE begins in the humiliation Of the
heart, and ends in the reformation of the life.
Though we want power to repent, yet we do moi
want means to repent, power to use those means
He that repents Of sin as sin, doth implicitly re.
pent Of all SIM
Let not sinful pleasures prevent godly SORROWS.