Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1846-01-29
Death ofVgTEss;a,sn EayE0R'.
HOUSE OF REsENTATiyEs.
SATURDAY, JAN. II, 1916
Mr.. DROMGOOLE rose and ad-

Mr.. DROMGOOLE rose and adj
dressed the house as follows:
Mr.. SPEAKER. 70 me, sir, has this
day been assigned the melancholy du-
ity of making the solemn announcement
TO this House, that death is IN our
midst. WILLIAM TAYLOR, repre-
sentative IN Congress from the State
Of Virginia, is no more. lie died al
his own chamber in this city, this
morning, at 4 O'Clock.
The brief time which has elapsed
since his decease has not allowed ne
an opportunity Of ascertaining the cir
cumstances attending that event.
Since be reached Washington, at the
commencement of our session, he has
labored under constant indiSposi'ion.-
a general debility perraded his physi-
cal frame; and this morning he sudden
ly expired. He sunk suddenly. and
in moment life was extinct. With
out a nuiinur, without sigh, he sunk
to rest evinciny, at his departure
from this void, a calm composure, a
quiet resignation, which admirably cor
responded with the smooth progress
of his previous life.
He was born in Alexandria. in this
District. In early life, he removed to
the Valley OF Virginia; and, having
married, located himself in Rockbriige
county, where he has ever since resi-
ded. Blest in his domestic relations,
happiness and contentment have been
his good fortune.
II, sir, his life has been marked by
no extraordinary incidents, that fact
constitutes an ecomium on the moral
beauty of his character. Although
well-educated lawyer, and highly repu-
table member of the bar, be man
Tested no restless eager ness for
distinction, and suffered not the
promptings of worldly ambition to
disturb the evenness of his temper,a and
betray him into uncongenial controver-
sy. Remarkable throughout life for
his uninterrupted equanimity, never
tbeless he was, in his public capacity,
firm and decided in his opinions, and
in the conscientious discharge of his
duties he was innexibly upright.
Justice and integrity characterized
his entire intercourse with his fellow
men. Honor in its best sense regula-
! ted his conduct.
! Whether contemplated in the faith
ful discharge of his public duties, or in
his fair and honorable intercourse with
his fellow-men, Or as an exemplary
husband and father, reposing in tran
gull happiness BY his own Greside, in
company with an aGtctionate wife
and chi!drcn--in whatever scene, or
under whatever aspec, we may exam
inc the character Of my departed col
league, he will be empha'icallly pro-
nounced, in the most dignifed and
refined definition Of the term, a gen
tleman.
Such, sir, was the man who, in the
wise dispensation of inscrutable Prov
idence, has been removed from his
country and his family before he had
attained an old age.
Ofthe grief of his bereaved compan-
ion, and his now fatheriess children, i
does not become me to attempt a de-
scrip;ion. Into ''iat private and sa-
cred scene Of mourning viii not, even
by imagination, lntrude.
Heartily consolation can alleviate
their distress, some portion Of it may,
perhaps, be derived from the reflection
that he was universally esteemed and
beloved by his acquaintances, and that
all his colleagues, in the highest degree,
respected and loved him. and mourn
his loss as that of brother.
But, sir, at last the highest source Of
comfort and consequent resignation to
their bereavement will be derived from
their Christian belief that the ways of
God, however inexplicable to the finite
wisdom Of man, are Just; and from the
Christian hope that world Of sin, and
|sorrow, ard temptation, has been ex-
changed for one Of immortal bliss.