Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-02-13
this House will wear the usual badge Of mourn.
inn IA In L. ~

|
Committee of the Senate to attend the remain
of our deceased friend to his late residence
the county of Boletourt.
"a. Resolved, That copy OF these Resoiu
lion be transmitted by the Clerk OF this House
the widow oil the deceased"
The resolutions having been read, Mr.. COOI
addressed the House as follows:
MIR. Speaker:-I am charged with one OF III
most melancholy duties of my life; and truly q
| speak when declare that the emotions OF M
bosom have almost unnamed me. Sir, The sill
ness of this Hall-ihe deep solemnily peryadin
i,-admonsh me that my purpose is anticipated
Deah has entered This Chamber, like thief a
night, when none suspected him, and in mo
ment lessened our number. Under The direction Q
Almighty Gods decree, need ask whom sought h
as his victim2 Sir, need only point 10 that seat
now vacant, 10 say il was our friend and fellow
member, the delegate from the old county OF Bo
,etouu John w. Thompson died he died il
this Hall!-yes, he died in his seat! advocating
The will Of those who had couided 10 him the
interests. Mr.. Thompson was my neighbor, arc
once resided within the limits of my county. Ny
/ acquaintance with him has existed from my ear
liesl recollection. His father and my father were
devoted friends. He has left his useful career or
earth al about the age OF fifty years, leaving an
afeclonale wife, three lovely daughters, and an
ripened in years, magnihed. To me he has re-
| peatedly expressed the unalterable determination
| OF besowng upon him The best gill oil laher 10
! son-I mean classic education.
| Mr. Thompson has been member oil this DO.
| DIV Tor six consecutive years. His courteous and
urbane department. his zeal, his industry, are
proverbial. For years he has been cuured
membsr of The Methodist Church. As hus-
band, father and master, The response will be
4 - - - n,,,.l, ~ an.r
OF his children, and The lears OF his servanls.-
He has left this General Assembly TO join one
with the Church Of the FIRST born, in Heaven
His feelings on earth taught him
"'Twas not the whole OF life TO iive;'
and his spirit has, ere this found lis realization.
How audibly has this sudden transition spoken
to each of rs the sacred truth, that, "whilst in the
midst OF life, we are in DEATH" For HIM may
say
$50 glide my life away-and 50, al last
My share Of duties decently fulfilled
May some disease not tardy to perform
Its destined office, yet with gentle stroke,
Dismiss me, weary, TO sale retreat,
Beneath the turf my feet have often trod"
MI BOOTH said: rise, Mr.. Speaker, for
The purpose Of expressing my concurrence in the
resolutions which have been submitted II is
true, Sir, that was not like the gentleman from
Roanoke, connected with The deceased by he lies
ties OF ncighborhood. according 10 The geography
OF the STATE; tuI, Sir, by The arrangements on
this foor, il was my good fortune 10 have been
closely associated with him as a neishbor and
companion. The con'isuity OF our seats afforded
frequent opportunities tor The development oil
those valuable characteristics which marked The
inner man His whole object seemed 10 be 10
contribute 10 the comfort, convenience and sra-
icaliun OF his fellow members around him.
When the seat between US was made vacant By
the continued indisposilon Of the gentleman from
Lunenbufs, il seemed 10 affoid him much salts
faction 10 recommend il 10 gentleman whose
difficulty OF hearing in a more distant position
had rendered il desirable. The last accents which
heard from his lip, prior 10 the debate which
terminated his existence, were made by The most
kind-heartcd, philanhiopic and sympathetic en-
quirios after The health OF his friend who had oc-
cupied an adjoining seat whose continued abb
sence had excited his apprehensions and solciude.
Liule did he then think how soon his own al
would presen, more melancholy vacancy. But,
Sir Inc h a53ss Sech has ees rssnang con-
ISOLATION, tina, the "aching void" in his seat here
has been occasioned by he summons 10 "come
up higher"
1t was, Mr.. Speaker, because elr that had
lost a mos, highiy-vseemed neshbor and compa.
Mon on this floor, that was prompted thus 10
mnge in the lugubrious current which was over
spreading The entire surface Of this Hall.
Mr.. PERROW said-Mr. Speaker: rise &c
fulfil duty which owe 10 myself al least, to
say something upon tnis melancholy occasion,
for Mr. Thompson was born in the county
which have Inc honor 10 represented stock
prnverbial Tor honesty Of purpose and integrity
OF character. His father removed lothe county
of Botslouh, when Mr.. Thompson was bul
boy. In his adopted county he had earned, by
urbanily of manners, integrity OF character and
devotion TO business tegree OF popularity not
oien acquired by man.
| have only been acquainted with MIR. Thomp-
son for the last three winters bu, that acquain-
lance has been Of the most intimate character
and can say that, according 10 my belief, ne was
perfect man
Sir, in looking TO his vacant seal, my heart
mourns, and ] doubt not every member oil lhls
House feels heartfelt sorrow at the sad bereavc-
ment. But what is our sorrow 10 that deep, SAD
grief which must shortly fall upon The partner oil
his bosom-his children and aged mothef-when
The sad tidings shall reach their earsl Heart
may conceive, bul tongue cannot express: me
aeonies of grief which has no bounds. YeI, |
would say 10 lhem TO all, rcbuke your vailins-
dry up your tears-subdSe your sorrows- Tor
your loss is his great gain. lie was Christian
"a Mason-an homes! mainland having hiied
a groan and has gone, we humbly believe, to The
Paradise OF his God.
Mr.. PITTS rose and said-Mr. Speaker: |
trust shall be INDUCED by the House, while
add nv testimony 10 the worth Of him whose
death we mourn But yesterday, he sal by our
SIDE in the vgcr OF life and mature manhood
but Death, in It's most fearful form, has robbed US
of our friend and brother! John W. Thompson is
no more Like the faithful sentinel al his posi-,
he died in the discharge OF his duty. But lew
weeks since Mir. Speaker, came among you a
stranger. unknown and unknowing. He whose
seat is now vacant was among the first 10 extend
The hand OF friendship, and, by his experience, aid
| me TO learn my duty as legislator. In MIN
! found wise and safe adviser and Trend a
| friendship and intimacy of no common character
! marked our intercourse. Firm, decided, aid I'M
swervng in The discharge Of all his dulles, win
noble and generous impulses OF heart, all who
| knew him loved him well. In life. he was cher
| ;shed in death. he is mourned. "tle was an hob
es, man, the noblcst work OF God."-lf an exem
plary lille, charitable actions, and strict ooser
vance OF The andaie, do unto others as ye Wouit
others should do unto YOU" constitute Chris
| lain then was he one.
On the hearts OF his bereaved wife, his mourn
ing children, who, on his knee first ilsped iht
name oil father-whose protection, guide ant
friend he was-this blow will fall with crushing
force. From his life we have the assurance
that in deah he has bul been transferred from
world oil trouble, turmoil and care, TO world
eternal happiness, and that he nowJes!s In IN
bosom of his Father and his God. He is gone
Let US emulate his virtue; let US learn by MI
example that when 10 Us the las, hour shall
come; whea lAe summons which called hin
hence shall fall upon us, We, like him, may b
prepared 10 enter upon that awful journey; Iik
| him be received with the plaudii, "Well done
good and faithful servant enter thou into The 10,
OF thy Lord"
The resolutions were unanimously adopted
and Messrs. McCue and Layne of Allegheny
were appointed The committee under the tnlrd It
| solution.
On motion Of MIR. CLENDENlN, the HOUSE
adjourned. "
SATURDAY. FEBRUARY 10, 1919.