Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1849-02-15


der of the session.
81 Resolved, That Committee Of two members be
appointed to act in CONJUNCTION with Committee of
the Senate to attend the remains Of our deceased
friend to his late residence in the county of Boteour
| Il. Resolved, That copy Of these Resolution be
transmitted by the Clerk Of this House to the widow
| Of the deceased
The resolutions having been read, Mr.. Cook address
sed the House as follows
Mr.. Speaker Il am charged with one of the most
melancholy duties ofmy life ; and truly do | speak
when declare that the emotions of my bosom have
almost unnamed me- Sir, the stiffness of this Hall
the deep soiemnity pervading it-aimonish me that
my purpose is anticipated Death mas entered this
Chamber, like thief at night, when suspected
him, and in a moment lessened our number. Ter
the direction Of Almighty Gods Decree r~sI '.sA
whom sought be as his victim Sir 1eeu o.y toins
to that seat, vacant, to -ey was our iEeiu anu
fellow member, the do'SSa'e rom inc o.u county
this Han yes he died in his seat advocating the
of those who had confdcd to him their interests
Mr.. Thompson my neighbor, and citizen within
the limits of my county My acquaintance with him
has existed from my earliest recollection His father
and my father devoted friends. He has left his
useful earth at about the age of fifty years
leaving affectonate wife, three lovely daughters
and only soE, upon whom his devotion, that
rpened in years, magnfed. To me he has repeated
y expressed the unalterabe determination OF bestow
ing upon him the best gift of father to son-I
classic education.
! Mr.. Thompson has been a member of this body for
six consecutive years. His courteous and urbane de-
pertinent, his zeal, his industry, proverbal. For
years he has been constant member OF the Methodist
| Church As husband, father and master, the
Spouse will be found in che lamentations of wife the
weeping of his children and the tears Of his servants
He has left this General Assembly to join with the
Church of the first born in Heaven. His feelings on
earth taught him
"'Twas not the whole of life to live -
and his spirit has this, found its realization. How
audibly has this sudden transition spoken to each Of
the sacred truth, that, whilst in the midst Of life
we are in death" For him may say
| $50 glide my life away-and so, at last
My share of duties decently fulfilled
May some disease not ta+dy to perform
| Its destined Office, yet with gentle stroke,
Dismiss me, weary to a safe retreat,
Beneath the turf my feet have often trod.'
Mr. Booth said rise, Mr.. Speaker for the purpose
of expressing my in the resolutions which
have been submitted. 1t is true Sir, that | not
like the gentleman from Roanoke, connected with the
deceased by the ties of eighborhood, according to
the geography of the State but Sir, by the arrange
ments this floor, it my good fortune to have
been closely associated with him as neigDor and
companion. The contiguty Of our seats afforded fire.
quent opportunities for the development of those val
liable characteristics which marked the inner man. His
whole object seemed to be to contribute to the
FORT convenience and qualification of his felow-mem-
bers around him. When the seat between US was
made vacant by the continued ndispositon of the gen
tlenan from Lunenburg, it seemed to afford MIN much
satisfaction 20 recommend it to gentleman whose
difficulty OF hearing in more distant position had
rendered it desirable. The last accents which heard
from his lips, prior 70 the debate which terminated
his existence, were made By the most kind-hearted,
philanthropic and sympathetic enquiries after the
health of his friend, who had occupied adjoining
seat whose continued absence had excited his appre
tensions and socitude. Little did he then think how
IL l.
vacancy. Rut Sir, the history which has been pre-
sented of his past life affords the comforting ard unfa
ding consolation that the "aching veid' his seat
here has been occasoned by the summons to "come up
higher
Jtwas, Mr. Speaker, because felt that I had lost
most highly esteemed neighbor and companion this
floor, that was prompted thus to mingle in the lugu
brious current which oversprcadng the entire
face of this Hall.
Mr.. Perrow said-Mr Speaker rise to fulfil du-
ty which owe to myself, at least, to say something
upon this melancholy occasion, for MIR. Thompson
born in the county which have the honor to repre-
sent of stock proverba for honesty of purpose and
integrity of character His father removed to che
county of Botetourt, when Mr. Thompson but
boy. In his adopted county he had earned by urban
ity of manners integrity of character and devotion to
business decree ofpopularty not often acquired by
man.
| have only been acquainted with Mr.. Thompson for
the last three winters but that acquaintance has been
of the most intimate character and say that &C
cording to my belief he perfect NAH.
Sir, in looking to his vacant seat, my heart mourns,
and doubt not every member OF this House feels
heartfelt sorrow at the sad bereavement But what
is to that Deep sad griefwhch must short
ly fall upon the partner OF his bosomhs children and
aged mother-when the sad tidngs shall reach their
Heart may conceive but tongue cannot xpress,
the agonies grief which has bounds. Yet would
say to Them to all, rebuke your wailing-dry up your
tears-subdue your sorrowsfor your loss is his great
gain. He was Chrstian-a Mason-an honest man
and having filed the measure of his earthly career,
he died without groan and has gone we humbly be-
lieve, to the Paradise of his God.
Mr. Pitts rose-Mr Speaker trust shall be in
duged by the House, while add my testimony to the
worth of him whose death mourn. But yesterday,
he sat at our side in the vgor of life and mature
hood-but Death, in its most fearful form, has robbed
US of our friend and brother John W. Thompson is
more Like the faithful sentinel at his post he died
in the discharge of his duty But few weeks since,
MIR. Speaker, came among you stranger, unknown
and unknowng. He whose seat is vacant,
among the first to extend the hand of friendship and
by his experience, aid learn my duty legisa
tor. In him found wise and safe adviser and
friend friendship and intimacy Of no common char
acter marked our intercourse. Firm, decided and
swerving in the discharge of all his duties with noble
and generous impulses of heart, all who knew him low
I'd him well. In life, he cherished in death he
is mourned. "IIe honest man, the noblest
of God'-lf an exemplary life, charitable actions, and
strict observance of the mandate do others as
We would others should do unto YOU" constitute
Christian, then was he
| On the hearts of his bereaved wife, his mourning
children, who on his knee, first hsped the of
father-whose protection, guide and friend he was