The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-06-07
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
WASmISGToN, May 80, 1850.
SENATE


Journal was dispensed with
MIR. Butler rose and said: Mr.. President, my
heart sinks under the melancholy duty which
misfortune and affliction have imposed upon it..
Within less than three years 1t has fallen to
nv lot to announce the death oftwo colleagues
ofthe other House and it was bat the other
dav that communicated the death of the Ia
mented Calhoun. We have scarcely divested
ourselves of the badges of mourning to his
memory before we arc called on to replace
them on the occasion of his successors death,
whose place in the Senate was but as transit
to a common tomb Such is hnman existence!
It is as ashadow that feeth, and contlnueth not
NY friend and colleague, the late Franklin
Harper Elnore, breathed his last at his lodgings
in this city last night, at haif:past o'clock.
For several years the state OF his health has
been a source of solicitude and anxiety to his
friends. His mind had been tlsked by many
cares and responsibilities, and it was Thought
that even change ofexcitement and employ
ment would afford him relief. 1t was with re,
luctance that he accepted the distinguished
compliment implied in the appointment that was
rendered him by the Governor OF South CARO-
lima, to fill for time the vacancy i'll the Senate
occasioned by the death of his lustrious pre-
decessor. He took his seat in this body on the
9Th of this month, and for a week or ten days
the hearts of his family and friends were lad
dened by the prospects and hopes OF re-
turning health. These dclusive hopes were ex-
cited only to make disappointment the more
poignant and affective. 4 new form ofdisease
"a neuralgia that pervaded the whole system
was as the hand of death upon him. Ills
sufferings were great and from tie time OF his
attack were incessant 1t is source OF con-
ISOLATION that he retained his mind until the ac-
tual invasion of death. His physicians, distin-
guished for their skill and knowledge, gave his
case uncommon attention, and did all in their
power to afford him relief twas his happl
ness to have with him being-the nearest to
him by all the ties of this earth, the partner OF
his bosom and the mother of his children--a
devoted wife, who poured out upon him all that
an afFectonate heart could bestow. These
were alleviations and sources of solace in an
hour of awful trial but they could not arrest
the demands of the incxorable messenger.
In witnessing my friends exit from the earth,
I hope have not had lesson without mourn.
full instruction.
Mr.. Elmore, from the time he entered upon
the arena of life till his death, has acted no or.
dinary part in public affairs. He has filled
many employments and trusts of honor and re-
sponsibility the confidence of his fellow.
citizens to the last was an honorable common
tary on the manner in which he discharged his
duties
Mr.. Elmore was native of Laurens district
South Carolina, and died in the 5lst year of
his age. His father, Gen. Elmore, was a ma
tive of Virginia, and was an active soldier of
the revolution, serving under Gen. Greene in
his celebrated Southern campaign OF l7Sl.-
His mother was Miss Saxon, name dlstln-
guished in the partisan war of the revolution
After passing through the ordinary acadenlcal
course, my friend entered the South Carolina
College in November, 1877, and graduated two
wears afterwards with honor; and with repu-
tation that at once presented him to the favora
bic consideration of the public. He read law
in my office, in the town of Columbia, and i'll
1921 was admitted to to the bar.
Such was the impression that he had already
made on society, that in the year 1872, the
year after his admission to practice, he had
conferred on him one of the highest honors of
his profession. He was elected Solicitor IA
public prosecuting officer of the Southern Cir
cuit-an office that involved high rcsponsibili-
ty and important public duties. His energy,
industry, and ability soon confirmed the SAN
guine expectations of his friends.
He continued to be successfully elected to
this office until he was called by his fellow
citizens to fill new sphere of action-and one
for which have always thought him eminent
ly qualified, both from taste and AMBITION
He took his seat in the House of Representa-
tives in December, 1886, to fill a vacancy oc-
casioned by the resignation of Gen Hammond;
he was again elected and served throughout
the 25th Congress During this time he won a
high reputation for parliamentary address and
ability The impression which he made on his
colleagues and contemporaries was such as to
fatter the pride and crafty the ambition Of any
public man.
In December. 1889, Mr.. Elmore was elected
President of the Bank Of the State of South
Carolina. This was position Of real Difficult
ty, that required financial talents of high order.
Its labors and responsibilities were great and
almost overwhelming. My friend continued to
be elected to this office until his late nomination
to the Senate. Such testimonials of merit, are
higher and more abiding than verbal eulogy.
Shortly after Mr. Polk came into Office he
fNz1 Xl>n al, -l,.,l