The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-12-27
In CONGRESS OF THE U. STATES.
MONDAY. DECEMBER 27, is47,
SENATE.


Immediately after the reading of the journal
Mr.. BRADBURY, of Maine, rose and addressed the
Senate as follows:
Mr. PRESIDENT. rise for the performance of a duty
painful for language to describe
One who was with in this chamber the last meeting
of the Senate attending his official duties assisting in
our deliberations and confidently looking forward to the
future those who present. has suddenly fallen in
our midst. He is numbered with the dead.
Four times has the Senate already been called during the
few DAVIS of its session. manifest the last tokens of respect
the honored dead, who have been prevented from
erng upon the field of their abo in the present Congress
Noo the destroyer has entered these halls and struck down
his victim before eyes,
The Hon. JOHN FAIRFIELD is more He died in his
lodgings i'm this city on Friday last
The sudden and startling announcement OF his death
preceded the intelligence of danger
On the morning of that day he in his usual health
and met his friends with his accustomed cheerulness and
cordially. At he submitted to surgical operation
which, with undoubting confidence, he had looked for
relief from nirmity under which he had labored. His
physical energies equal to his orttude and cou
age His system sank under the undated anguish which
followed, and twenty minutes before eight O'Clock in
the evening" the full possession of his mind he breathed
his last Scarcely had the friends that with him
cipated danger, when his pure spirit took its flight
From affection appalling it is difficult to divert your
attention. contemplate for moment the life and
character of the deceased Governor FAIRFIELD born
at Saco in the county of York. Mane January 30, 1877
In that place he has resided Distinguished by
of purpose arriving manhood he devoted himself to
the study the law and entered profession which has
contributed its full share in the establishment and defence
of constitutional liberty AT the bar he soon acquired such
reputation that he received from the Executive of the State
the appointment of reporter of the decisions Of the supreme
judicial court.
While in the successful performance of the duties OF this
office called by the electors of the first congressional
district without solicitation desire his part to take
his place in the councils of the nation in
Congress He received reflections and il is well known
he discharged the responsible duties devoved upon
him on trying occasions in manner alike honorable to
himself and to his constituents
His services demanded in different sphere.
He was elected governor of his native State and strong
was his hold upon the confidence and regard of the peo
he thrice reelected to the same exalted sta
tidG 1t was during this period OF his public life, when
great and unusual responsibilities were upon him as the
chief executive Of the State growing collisions with
foreign power that he displayed decision and rmness
of character which commanded the respect and fixed upon
him the Of the whole country. He became,
phaticaly, the favorite of his State and he
transferred from its executive chair to seat upon this
floor, fill vacancy created by the resignation Of his
predecessor In lS45 he received reelection to the SEN
ate for the term OF six years. Ii may be remarked
singular fact that in all the offices he has held he has
served the regular term but has been transferred by
promotion, TO a higher place.
To you Mr.. President who knew him WELL and to the
senators long associated with him. and united by the
respect and friendship, need speak of his honorable
in this body.
You will bear witness the sound judgment and ready
zeal which he brought the discharge of his varied duties
that honesty of purpose which knows guile that
frankness and sincerity incapable of conceament that
rmne.s of resolution which difficulties could shake
dangers and that purity ofe, and eoncen
regard to his convtions of right which distinguished
him man and a Christian.
How happily these qualities blended in his char
acter is known you how justly they appreciated
by the people of his native State is in the confidence
they yielded and the honors they bestowed.
As friend, he devoted and sincere; aud few there
are who have secured the attachment of wider ccle
bound by stronger ties of affection. His loss the
public his friends and above all, to his deeply afflicted
family what words express cannot attempt now.
He has left behind his example, his character, and the
influence of his actions and in his sudden death, the adj
monton again repeaed that publc honos and exalted
add strength the tenure by which life is held
Mr. NILES, of Connecticut then addressed the Senate
as follows:
Mr. PRESIDENT On this melancholy occasion, proba-
bly, other member of the Senate has had long and in
innate acquaintance with him whose decease has Just
been announced hope to be pardoned for adding few
words what has appropriately been said by his col
league In closing the remarks which but few days ago
became my duty make in announcing the death of my
late colleague, took occasion to remind senators of the
little and brief interest which have, individually, in the
exciting questions that may be agatej here. then little
thought the first example Of that obvious truth would
come soon near home to myse'hat it would be
found in one my oldest and most intimate associates here
years ago. and although associations interrupted
for few years. they renewed my returning the
Senate at the of my present | then
came not the of the session, but in the
spring. and under circumstances which may be fresh
of senators present then but the
broken fragment THE when left the Senate
few years before.
Learning of my old friends and associates were
together the House where now am joined them there.
Those friends SILAs WRraHr and JOHN FAIRFIELD,
both much younger than myself, and then both in full
health and with fair prospect Of long of public
usefulness But how nscrutable the ways of Provi
dence They have both been removed, in the midst of
their days and usefulness from this world of conflict and
trouble whilst l, who had seemingly but a hold upon
the sevage @ have been spared to witness their
departure
The death of the first stroke to me, ii
was to the whole country. Perhaps in whole history
no has fallen in private life whose death produced
Deep so universal sensation in the public mind And the
death the second has been blow equally severe,
and in respects trying to my feelings, was
with him the time and witnessed the last ebbng pulsa-
tons of departing life The circumstances of his death,
too-so sudden, unexpected, aud apparently
ess-added crushing weight the severity of the shock
He died without struggle, and, might almost say, with
smile on his his soul took its departure
from its earthly tabernacle long and intimate acquant
ance with Governor FAIRFIELD has enabled Justly, I
think to appreciate his character both in his public and
private relations; but this is the time the place
attempt deineate it, any hasty efforts of mine would
evidently do great injustice to his memory
Ifhe was not brilliant i'm political galaxy he
was all no claimed to bea plain unassumng man,
attic mpting shine attract attention himself; but
with his strong sound Judgment and practical views
was with honest and faithful discharge Of his