The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-12-30
CONGRESSIONAL.
TwENTY-NINTH CONGRESS-,
second session.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 80. ls4o.


SENATE.
On motion by MIR HUNTINGTON, il was ordered that
the reading Of the Journal be dispensed with
Mr. JOHNSON, of Louisiana, remarked:
Alr President. Louisiana has TO mourn the loss OF
another OF her distinguished II is with unfegned
sorrow announce to the Senate the death Of my lae
friend and colleague the honorable ALEXANDER BARRow.
who died AT Baltimore yesterday morning at o'clock,
after short and violent attack OF Illness which would
not yield 10 the best medical skill All the relief that
medical science and skill could accomplish applied
In vain lie left this city the oath instant short
visit TO Balnmore apparently IN perfect health and
only heard OF his illness the day before his death In.
deed sudden and unexpected was the shock produced
by the annuncation OF tho sad event yesterday, that
cannot yet hardly realize the fact and do not feel su
GENTLY composed to do justice to the memory OF the de-
ceased IN the few remarks propose 10 make The deep
anxiety felt here, not only by the members of both
houses of Congress- but By all classes of the community
when his dangerous situation became known through the
telegraph, is now dispeled by the melancholy gloom
spread over the whole city. Ii is, indeed, but too
that ALEXANDER BARROW, the pure patriot and enlight-
passed away since Mr. BARROW announced in appropriate
and eloquent terms, the death OF his late distinguished
lcoeague and since then il has devoved on TO pre-
sent the ordinary resolutions mark OF respect TO the
memory OF two Of my colleagues OF the other house oil
Congress, and similar resolution will now be offered on
this melancholy occasion In less than three years two
senator's and two representatives in Congress from the
same State have been gathered to their fathers. The
death OF my late colleague the most unexpected, for
he was not only in the vigor Of life but he possessed
strong constitution. The ways OF Providence in
deed nscrutable II may with truth be said that
whilst in lie we are in death" OF Mr.. BARRows
early history / know but little He was ma
fory-fve years of age. His family and connexions
are OF the highest respectabity, and have been long
distinguished for their talents and patriotism After hay-
ing completed his education, Mr.. BARROW studied law
and admitted 10 the bar in Tennessee Immediately
after which, believes he removed TO Louisiana, where
where he pursued his profession for time with sue
cess and, had he remained at the bar, would have attain
ed the highest distinction Being independent in his
circumstances and fond OF agricultural pursuits, after
few years practice he retired from the bar and became
successful planter and has since devoted his attention
mainly TO the cultivation OF the earth. Mr. Barrow
served, however, repeatedly in the legislature OF Lous
with reputation and was regarded as distinguished
member; and he received from the people OF the State
many other proofs OF their highest respect and confidence
His election to the Senate OF the United States, under
circumstances the most atterng is the best evidence OF
the high estimation in which he held by the people
OF his adopted State by whom his character and services
will ever be held in grateful remembrance The
news OF his death will produce throughout the State
il has produced here, the deepest emotion OF sorrow Mr.
BARROW was distinguished for his bland and courteous
manners for his frank and manly department. and for his
many generous and noble traits OF character. No man,
in fact had sincere and devoted friends whilst lv.
ing, and no has died more lamented He performed
his duties here with zeal and ability, and at the same
tme in the most frank and concatory spirit; and am
that It'll exaggeaton TO say that in his intercourse
with his brother senator's his department on all occasions
was such as 10 command the respect and confidence OF
every member OF this body He has now closed hls
earthly career, but he has gone, hope to a better
and happier world Although he expired far from
his home, and from the cherished partner of
his bosom, it must be a source of consolation
to her, and TO her orphan children, to learn that
he surrounded at that awful moment by devoted
friends, from whom he received every attention which
friendship could bestow and that he died as he had lived
without fear and without repIoach relying upon the mer
cy of his redeemer And what shall be said OF their be-
reayement There is silence which is more express
sive than language. We forbear, in humble submission
to the will OF Heaven in grateful recollection that He
who strikes has power TO heal The character OF the
deceased indeed, sir, Of the highest order As a
senator, citizen, and genteman-ndeed, in all the
ations OF public and private life, he esteemed and
beloved. As patriot, firm and Incorporating friend
Of his country and OF her constitution, he had no supe
nor Brave ardent, and chivalrous In his temperament,
and devoted to the principles OF civil and religious ber
ty, had he lived in the days OF the early struggles for
English freedom, he would have bled by the side OF
Hampden in the field, died with Sydney the scaffod
Yet, sir, . ..-
! ellis life was gentle
Aud the elements mixed in him a
Ana s @g'5G al lie w s,aHd PHIs WAS MAN.
Mr.. BENTON In rising, Mr.. President, to second
the motion for paying to the memory Of deceased
brother the last honors of this body feel myself
to be obeyng the impulsions of hereditary friendship
as well as conforming 10 the practice OF the Senate For
ty years ago. when coming to the bar at Nashville, twas
my good fortune to enjoy the friendship of the father OF
the deceased, than nhabant of Nashville, and one OF
its most respected citizens. The deceased then too
young to be noted amongst the rest OF the family The
pursuits OF life carried far apart, and long after,
and Tor the first time to know each other met on this
floor. We met not strangers but as rendsfnends OF
snceevery incident and every word Of our lives, public
and private has gone to strengthen and confirm the feel
ngs under which met and to perpeuate with the son
the friendship which had existed with the father Up to the
last moment OF his presence in this chambeupto the last
momenthat saw hlmour meetings and partngs were the
cordial greetings of hereditary Friendships and now, only
OF the elder senator's but as the early and family
friend OF the deceased come forward to second the motion
for the honors to his memory The senator from Lous
ana JoHNsoN has performed the office OF duty and OF
friendship to his deceased friend and colleague. Justly,
truly and feehngy has he performed it. With deep and
heartfelt emotion he has portrayed the virtues, and
sketched the qualities, which constituted the manly and
lofty character OF ALEXANDER BARROW. He has gwen
picture faithful it is honorable, and does not be-
come me to dilae upon what he has so well presented
but, in contemplating the rich and full portrait OF the
high qualities OF the head and heart which he has pre-
sented, suffer me to look for instant to the source,
| the fountain, from which flowed the full stream of
generous and noble actions which distinguished the
entire life OF deceased brother senator. | speak
ROW Honor, courage, patriotism, friendship, gene
roslty fidelity to his friend and his countryhe
cia aiechonsdeyotion to the wife OF his BOSOM and
the children of their oveall, all there and
err not once, did any cold, selfish timd calculation
ever come from his manly head to check balk the
bic ippusions OF his generous heart quick, clear,
and strong Judgment found nothing TO restrain in these
impusions and ID all the wide circle of his public and
private RELATIONSHIP all the words and acts OF his life
it the heart that moved FIRST; and always so true to
honor that judgment had nothing to do but to approve the
impulsion From that fountain flowed the stream OF the
actions Of his life and now, what we all deplorewhat
so many will join in deplorlngis that such fountains
so unexpectedly, in the full tide OF Its How, should have
been so suddenly dried up He one OF the younger
members OF this body and in all the hope and vigo Of
meridian manhood Time was rIpenng and maturing his
faculties He seemed to have right to look forward 10