Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-02-05
DEATH OF THE HON. WIN. TAYLOR.

as follows: Mr.. Speaker, to me, ~ ri
day been assigned the melancholy day Of max
ing Tue solemn announcement 10 this House tina
deahja in our midst. WILLIAM TAYLOR, Re
presep'ative in Congress from the State of Vir
gln,S,i is no more. He died at his own chamber
In s<s city this morning at A o'clock.
lac brief time which has elapsed since his de-
ceasasbas not allowed me an opportunity Of as
certsin,ng the circumstances attending that event
Since he reached Washington, at the commence
meEfot our session, he has labored under con
stant'iadis7osilion. general debility pervadot
his physical frame; and This morning he sudden
ly expired. He sunk suddenly, and in u moment
life was extinct. Without a murmur, without a
sigh, ~ sunk 10 rest--evDcing, at his departure
from this world, calm conposure, Il quiet re.
signafcn, which admirably corresao-.'.,- wi:
the sNsih progress of lis previous Iite -F-zr
$50 AN Aleyaodiis, irg 'l,is Di&rict.
In early lie he removed TO the Valley of viteln-
ia; and, having married, located himself in Rock
bridge county, where he has ever since resided.
Blest in his domestic relations, happiness and
contentment have been his good fortune.
III, sir, his lie has been marked by no extra
ordinary Incidents, that fact constitutes an cnco-
MUM on the moral beauty OF his character. AL
though well-educated lawyer, and highly repu-
table member of the bar, he manifested no rest.
less eagerness for distinction, and suffered not
the promPtings of worldly ambition to disturb
the evenness OF his temper and beiray him into
uncongenial controversy. Remarkable through
out lie for his uninterrupted equanimity, never
theiess he was, In his public capacity, firm and
decided in his opinions and in the conscientious
discharge OF his duties he was niiexibly upright.
Justice and integrity characterized his entire
intercourse with his fellow men. Honor in It's
best sense regulated his conduct.
Whether contemplated in the faithful DISCHARGE
OF his public duties, or in his fair and honorable
intercourse with his fellow men, or as an exem-
plary husband and father, reposing in tranquil
happiness by his own freside, in company with
an alfectionate wife and children-in whatever
scene, or under whatever aspect we may exam
Inc the character of my departed colleague, he
VIII be emphalIcally pronounced, in the most
dIgnlhed and refined definition Of the term, a gen
tIeman.
Such, sir, was the man who, in the wise dis
pensaiion OF an inscrutable Providence, has been
removed from his country and his family before
he had attained al old age.
OF the grief of his bereaved companion, and
his now fatherless children, it does not become
me to attempt description. Into that private
and sacred scene of mourning will not, even by
imagination, inrude.
If earthly consolation can alleviate their dis
lress, some portion OF it may, perhaps, be derived
from the reflection that he was universally esteem
ed and beloved by his acquaintance, and that all
his colleagues, in the highest degree, respected
and loved him, and mourn his loss as that of
brother.
But, sir, al last, the highest source of comfort,
and consequent resignation 10 their bereavement,
Will be derived from their Christian belief that
liz; ways of God, however inexplicable TO the
hniie wisdom of man, are just and from the
aii&Qnupe -qiiat a>,S et-,s sse..d o-rosc.
and Temptation has been exchanged Tor one Z!
immortal bliss.
MIR. DRoMGooLE then moved the customary res
which were unanimously adopted.
MIR. PENNYBACKER rose and addressed the Sc
nate. but in so low tone of voice as 10 be almost
inaudible in the gallery. He said as nearly as
could be understood
Nh President, the announcement which we
have just heard from the House of Representa-
tlves of the death of the Hon. WILLIAM Taylor,
one of the Representatives in Congress from Vr-
gina, imposes upon me the mournful duty of
moving the resolutions Customary upon such &C.
casions) OF respect to the memory of the deceas-
ed.
Mr.. TAYLOR died very suddenly, at his resi-
dence in this city, on Saturday morning last. at
about iour O'Clock. In the inscrutabe dispensa-
ton OF Divine Providence, he was cut off in the
vigor OF his age, and in the midst of his useful
ness. For some time previous to his death he
had been (though, as his friends hoped, not very
serlousiy) indisposed. But, alas how fallacious
are human hopes! The hand of death was then
upon him, and his spirit was about taking its
flight TO the place of disembodied spirits, there 10
enjoy lis everlasting rest.
His excellence an individual and as men,
Der of society was beyond all praise and he
died, sir, as he had lived, without struggle.
Fle quietly surrendered his soul into The hands of
Him who gave it, and assembled 10 the bosom of
his God, there TO enjoy the reward of the blest
forever and forever.
But, sir, melancholy as is the announcement
have made, there were circumstances attending the
sad event which were well calculated TO mitigate
the blow TO the bereaved friends of the departed
My friend died not, sir, in strange land,
far from kindred and from home; he breaihed his
last in the midst of home associations, surround
ed by his family and by dear and cherished
friends, at no great distance from the spot where
the light of heaven first me, his eyes, having
been born in the city Of Alexandra, in this Dis
trict. May God in his infinite goodness heal the
wounds which this bereavement has inflicted up
on their hearts The deceased | knew we'll
both in person and by reputation. He was the
Representative in Congress Of my immediate
district, which district he also represented in the
2Sih Congress. a purer man never lived on
earth. He was remarkable, sir for the modesty
OF his manners and for the unvarying courtesy
and urbanity Of his department; no man excell-
ed him in sensiblity and honorable feelings.
AS lawyer he stood well at the bar as a
member o! Congress there were few superior TO
him in usefulness and devotion to the interests of
his constituents; as father, neighbor, and a
friend, he was all that could be desired-notbing
was wanting to the perfection Of his character as
an amiable and accomplished gentleman. lie
was respectfully connected in all the branches Of
his family: he was, in fine, an ornament to hu-
man nature ITSELF
In his life there occurred no very striking Incl.
dent. The placid stream flowed smoothly on
until lost IN the ocean Of eternity. What have
said is not the language Of mere paDegyric.
have said that / knew him well, and those who
knew him best will acknowledge the sruth OF the
portrait which have drawn.