The North-Carolinian. [volume] (Fayetteville [N.C.]) 1839-1861, 1850-07-20
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.

WEDNESDAY. July 10.
In the Senate, message was received from Nj
Fillmore, the Vice President, stating that in con
sequence of the death of the President, he should
no longer occupy the chair Of Vice President and
President Of the Senate, and they could at their
pleasure proceed to the election Of an officer to
preside.
Another message was received from Mr. Fill
more, proposing to take the oath of office before
the two houses at IL o'clock.
A joint committee then appointed from
each House to wait on the new President ana
| conduct him to the hall Of the House. This vas
done in short time. an3 the Senate assembled
in the Hall of the House, where :he Ch:ee Jus
tice Of the U. S. District Court oetae District O.
Columbia, administered to h:a The oath 70 pro.
tect and defend the Constitution OF the United
States.
The Senate then retired to their own chamber;
the President retired, and m each House euiogies
were delivered on the life and character Of the
late President. In the Senate. BY Mes,rs Web
ster, Downs, Cass. Pearce. King. and Berrien
In the House. by Messrs Conrad. Winthrop. Ba-
ker. BayIy. Hillard. King of N. York, McLane,
and Marshall.
Mr. Downs closed by saying:
''I.et US, then, bury in the tomb Of our de-
parted President all sectional feeling and
divisions, and unite once more in that
spirit of cordial good will and brotherly
love which united our forefathers in the
earlier days of the republic. Let us renew
before we leave his grave our Vows to sup
port the Union, and our determination to
perpetuate our constitution in all its prim-
eval simplicity aud purity. There is room
enough, glory enough, and honors for US
all. while we preserve the Union, and
know how wisely & prudent'y to enjoy it."
Mr. Webster said
heard with infinite delight the scnti-
ments expressed by my honorable friend
from Leuisiana, Mr. Dewns,J who hss iast
resumed his seat, when he earnestly pray
ed that this event might be used to soften
the animosities, to aIlay party ordinations
aud recrminations, and to restore fellow
ship and good feeling among the various
sections Of the Union. Mr. Secretary,
great as is our loss to-day, it these incsti-
mable and inappreciable blessings shall
have been secured to us, even by the death
of Zachary Taylor, they have not been
purchased at too hi gh price; and is his
spirit, from the regions to which he has as.
ccndcd. could see these results flowing
from his unexpected and untimely end
if he could see that he had entwined a SOL
dier's laurel around a martyrs crewn-hc
would say exultingly. "happy am I, that
by my death l have done more for that
country which l loved and served, than [
did or could do by the devotion, and all
the efforts that could make in her behalf,
during the short span Of my earthly exist
ence.''
Mr. Cass said:
Let US huml,ly hope that this affecting
dispensation Of Providence may not be
without its salutary influence. It comes
in the midst Of a strong agtation, threaten
ing the most disastrous consequences to
our country. and to the great cause Of self
government through the world: 1t is SOL
emn appeal, and should be solemnly heard
and needed. His des.h-whose loss we
mourn-wiIl nut be in vain if it tends to
subdue the feelings that have been excited,
and to- prepare the various sections of our
country for mutual spirit of forbearance
which shall insure the safety Of all by the
zealous cooperation of all. We could Of
fer no more appropriate or durable tribute
to departed worth, than such sacrifice Of
conflicting views upon the altar Of our COM
mon country. In life aud in death he
world equally have devoted himself to her
service and her safety.
Mr. King Of Ala, said:
As a man, l have said, he was honest Of
purpose. His patriotise, hrs devotion to
the constitution Of his country, under
which he cherished these free institutions.
l have never questioned. think knew
him we'll, and believe there was no man
more patriotic. If errors were committed
/ shall draw the curtain over them. No
longer would l feel justified in holding
him up to the public gaze, even II they had
been ten times RS gtaring as they were.
The country has reason to dcpire the
death Of great man. lie has gone from
among US, aud the affective event has been
appealed to cultivate and cherish kind
relations. trust in God that these Kind
relations will be cherished, and that we
shall on this stay vow on the altar of our
country to discard all pickering and strict,
all sectional lissensions, and live and die
as Americans should in support Of the I'm
ion.
Mr. HilIiard. Of the House. said:
This illustrious man is called away from
US at 4 mome0t most critical. Never
have known the republic in SO much per-
il as now surrounds Il. My friend from
Massachusetts, Csfr Winthrop has we'll