The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-04-05

l
pensive melancholy rather than with poignant grief.
Like the appropriate and expected falling Of the
leaf the creature perishes beneath the decree of the Cea
tor in proper season But when in the midst of feun-
expecedy in the midst OF his years and his acts of
iulness--one is cut down, with premonilory event
Or circumstance to announces the Desoyer's approach
The event is always more peculiarly affective and
sretiil- Such was the fall Of my friend. But few
days ago he in midst in life and health and in
the constant performance of his duties here as rep
sentative On one day he was in the performance his
iuties with his usual assduity and fahluness and on
the next day his friends find him struck down by vio
ence OF disease, and of whom announced bv the
prophecy of sklfn scientific attendants that the victim
Marked and that there no hope-hot a raw of
nope might be INDUCED cheer the or the INQUIRER
who sought to know his condition aud the ultimate
OF his disease. His immediate friends and family were Mt
distance when he was thus cxpectediy stricken
and ON this account there circumstances in the
and providence OF God which deserve be
recorded; that oil the of his intellect unclouded
the last and that 1.-THE potrac,on ohs existence with
sweet resignation till from the distant south his wife,
child, and brother enabled safety and
administer the last cancellations Of affection and friendship
around his dying bed.
There many the life of my friend
that, at another time, it will be pleasant and proper
dwell upon come gather from the of
luness with which his life abounded, from earliest
hood to its close the peculiar euogums which his
have come with flowers bedeck his grave. The present
time for such display because The OF weeping
friendship are far becoming adornnens under the
depression OF our present desolation.
stop not therefore, that in early manhood
my friend joined the army; and, the age of eighteen
years. mpeled by that which animated him
the last and that inness and which sustained him
every trial, he stepped forward in 1872, join the
mics of his country then engaged in that he joined
lieutenant; and that, at the close OF the he retired
from the service, holding the commission of captain in
| the army
After this time he constantly engaged in useful civil
employment until. some five six since, he call
ed from this sphere of usefulness into the walks of public
life He called to take this floor a repre-.
sentative from the Pnckney district OF the State of South
Carolina How he performed his duties here-how he il
astrated In the most eminent manner the characte
of representave-how he evinced respect for the opin
ions of his consituents-how he performed his duty OF
keeping them constantly informed by the lucid intel
igen and timely communications Of the prog.
ress of public affairs herehow he responded the
impulses of patriotism which. with him, had grown
principle or acton-a we who are here will bear
| him cheerful testimony.
He loved the people with demagogue's love, but
with soul stirring, divine impulse, sprnging the
fundamental maxims Of his creed, that all are
brothers. that all equal and that the people
capable of sefgovernmen These his fixed princi-
pies His whole public but their practical H.
lustraon and embodiment.
My friend not educated in the regular way Of the
schools; but with vigorous native intellect with strong
powers OF observation seldom equaled never
ed in the of his active and sventul life he
,bled supply, in all their essential elements whatever
night have been wanting in regular Of education
his mind with those rich varied
| of personal observation which he had collected
One or two remarks more, and shall have done.
There those who believe that the ofa public
popular elections is evidence either Of virtue in
the constituent, OF excellence and aptitude the part
Of the representative. This is great mistake, Mr. Speak
An individual who, without other circumstances Of
advantage than merit fasen and retain the pub
lie confidence, has charm Of excellence about him in
descrbabe fascination Of character and qualification and
though those OF his acquaintance the intimate may
nd ed Yeti ia nd nj
PRACTICAL divine eectriying force, unexpainable, but
working with mighty power upon the popular heart-a
deep mysterious power which, under the providence oil
God carries forward the great system of free
My friend possessed this power in the highest degree No
man living exceeded him in this Other may have
been his superiors in other attainmcns-sup in
accomplishments and in wea-seemingy superior in many
Of those advantages which commonly bind man to man
in the bonds of political and social influence. Yet,
there beahed not in Congress, elsewhere who
possessed the power in greater degree of binding to
himself with hooks Of Steel all who knew him and call
| ed him friend. 8. -le,tE
Among his own immediate acquaintance his position
peculiar and lovely. The great senator of New York
who died before him called Roman, in that he COW
ted not wealth. My friend was also poor This speak
in praise of him. 1t is his highest euogy He had no
influences of wealth position to bind him to his
people Nothing but his prncipes-his sincere devotion
to truth and popular rights-has attached them to him
In all his life he performed his duty well; and in his
DEATH that the event has closed there is nothing to
greet He was happy in his departure as have before IN
timated quietly passed through the dark valley of the
| shadow of death
will attempt to imagine much less to speak, words
of consolation the widow and orphan Time alone, un
der the bengnant influences of Christian alth can give
comfort here and the consultations which these inhu
ences alone can furnish must commend the family OF my
| friend. h.E
ask Mr. Speaker the adoption of the following resolu
tons: ~
Resoped That this House has heard with deep emotion
the annuncaton the death Of the Hon JAMES A. BLACK
| member from the State Of South Carolina
Resoued That this House tenders 70 the relatives the
event and testimony OF respect Tor the memory the
deceased, the members and officers OF the House WIN go
into mourning by wearing Grape on the lett arm lor mry
days.
will attend the funeral of the Hon JAMES A. BLACK, de-
ceased on tomorrow, Mt hafpast IL O'Clock, p M
Resoved That committee be appointed tor suPerinend
| ing the funeral Of the deceased
Ordered That message be sent to the Sena'e 70 nou
that body of the death the Hon JAS A. BLACK late oil
the representatives the State OF South Carolina that
his funeral will place from the hall OF the House on to
morrow at hafpast IL O'clock and that the senate
be invited to attend the same
Resoued That as further mark Of respect to the mem
1 ory OF the deceased, the House do now adjourn
| The resolutions were unanimously adopted; and the
House accordingly adjourned
The SPEAKER appointed the following named gentle
men Committee Of Arrangements to superlntend the
funeral Of the late Mr. BLACK viz: Messrs SIMS, BOYD
HuBaARD, ATKINSON, MARSH, JAMES THOMPSON, and
HAMPTON, OF New Jersey.
ONK HUNDRED GUNs--A salute of 100 guns fired on
Jefferson plain this city, commencing at noon, on Wed
ne.dnv the 2h by direction OF the democrats OF Provi