The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-02-08

cumbent upon TO against receiving any agauons
from one side of the Union II 10 vote against re-
ceying them from the other To-day find that petit
ton praying Congress not TO receive otae to
the Union with slavery tolerated in IT, and that hnd ey
the ayes and noes, is received by large majority MY
object is not 10 complain or to crminate---
MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE OF REPREsrNTArIvEs.
The Clerk Of the House of Representatives here ap
peared in the aisle wththe Sergeant at Arms Of the Sen
The VICE PRESIDENT. viii the senator suspend
his remarks for moments Z
Mr.. DOUGLAS resumed his seat
The Clerk of the House of Representatives announced
that said House had passed the Senate resolution author
zng the purchase OF the original manuscript OF wash
ngton's Farewell Address. He also announced me
death OF the Hon. ALEXANDER NEWMAN, late repre-
sentative in Congress from the State OF Virginia, and the
action OF the House Of Representatives thereon
DEATH OF A MEMBER.
Mr. HUNTER As one OF those messages from me
House relates 10 the death OF member from Virginia,
move that i be taken up now, if the honorable senator
Mr DOUGLAS. Certainly. sir; q course
The message from the House relative 10 the death OF
Mr. NEWMAN then read by the Clerk.
Mr.. HUNTER then arose, and addressed the Senate
as follows e. N
Mr. PRESIDENT In accordance with what understand to
be the usage Of this body rise 10 discharge painful
duty RISE sir you the death OF ALExAN
NEWMAN, member elect To the House OF Representa-
ves from the State Of Virginia, who departed this life
during the last autumn. Mr. NEWMAN was slightly known
me personally, and cannot thereo present you even
limited biographical sketch which is usual upon such
occasions. Something, however know OF his life and
history. know that he made his way by his exer
ons to high position in society and struggled success
fully with difficulties under which the weak and faint
hearted would have ccnmbed know that he won the
respect the confidence, and the affections Of those around
him. and of those who had the best opportunities for obsery
ing life From the county of Orange, in the
State Of virgns he was born, he removed to Mar
shall in the Stale. From this county he elected
the house of delegates than from the district
of which 1t is part he elected to the senate OF Vr
,xuktr st H.
iached the member elect to the House Of Repre-
the United States at the time Of his death
He left behind him the reputation Of having been bold
thinker, honest and energetic man Nor was he old
when died. but stricken down in mid career by one
Of those visiiaons which fail stae
u.s. although but repetitons of the orepeaed tale Of the
uncertainties OF human life. When old man falls. full
OF years and honors and pened for the grave the blow
not unexpected We feel that his mission Is accom-
pshsd his destiny fulfilled and there be for him future
oil hope PROMISE 1t is to be sought through the portals
oil the grave But the busiest will pause in bis most eager
the fall OF one whose powers were
not fully developed, and whose future OF hopes yet to
be fulfilled and Of doubts yet be solved, even the
more interesting for its uncertainties The story Of
life does attention. only for the events which It
chronicles when its tale Is but hall told ITS interest often
the deeper the in which closes But
whatever may have been the hope and promise of Mr.
NEwMANs this life, that life now closed by the
hand Of God and closed in this world forever He is
where no hum an reach him But he has
left family friends in whose bosoms perhaps the sting
Of alicon may yet remain. Within the circle OF the do
mesc affections the voice Of sympathy is always pleasant
no matter from what distance IL may come or how little
familiar may be To that family and those friends
tender this tribute of respect and sympathya sympathy
which personal acquaintance might have made deeper but
not more sincere. know sr that blow has fallen which
has made orphans young children, and made the
chief place around the family hearth dear and familiar
word will be heard within that dones
tic circle These gre sir the common lot OF human
inv but perhaps the heart which knows its own bitter
could speak here would say that its afhctons are
not the less keen because all must nj some time or other
suffer and endure the same.
Mr. President offering Of respect for the Dead and
of sympathy for his family, you the resolutions
usual upon such occasionsi fat
Rsoipsd snarimousIy That the Senate has heard with
deem sensibiliy the death of the Hon. ALEXANDER
NEWMAN a representative elect from the State OF vr-
ginia -, ,,.
he memory Of The deceased viii wear the usual badge Of
mourning oT Ts, sn dafs further mark Of re.p.c, for the men,
ory Of the deceased, the Senate do now adjourn.
Mr.. CLAY II is with some pain, Mr. President, that
nanaeed upon the deceased to renew some suggestions
which made the other day upon similar subject II
does seem to me, sir, that when member OF either
branch OF Congress dies during vacation, who has new
er taken his seat amongst us-when we have no ac-
a quaintance with him-when however much we may re-
gret his DEATH have upon the occasion no other
feelings and sympahes than such as we may have upon
the death OF any other equally eminent citizen In pr
yate lfe-it does seem TO me, sir, improper for the
Senate to adjourn under circumstances like these, and
postpone the discharge OF their public duties.
Mr. President, II would not be difficult think, to look
back upon the records OF Congress TO find how this thing
has extended In the first instance, have no doubt
Congress limited ITSELF paying these marks of respect
and demonstrations OF hsnor the dead, 10 the case of
members Of the body at the time II any Of the six
ty members who compose this body with whom we have
been acting with satisfaction and comfort were to die
we should all have feelings excited by the occasion
which might render us unit for the discharge Of public
duties during the day OF It's announcement 10 Congress
That is ohe considerations and the other Is that the ad
ournment ought TO take place when the death occurs
during the session OF Congress- in order to pay that re-
spect and to perform those last Christian duties which ap
pertain to the sad ceremonies.
But sir, in such case this, is there member OF
this body that feels himself incompetent to proceed to
the discharge OF his public duties Perhaps not two OF
us do not recollect, myself, to have had any know
edge OF the gentleman before this announcement arm
quite sure there not half dozen OF who have any
intimate relations with the member whose death is now
announced The death occurred months ago, and il s
impossible that any Of us should be in such state OF
feelings az to render unable TO discharge our public
duties Then, sir, all the ceremonies apperaining to
that last sad duty which are called upon to perform
for our brother performed FIVE six months ago
and does 10 that occasion could occur IN
which with proprety the Senate might retrace the
steps hitherto taken by Congress- and back to what
regard as the true ground, OF adjournment only IN cases
where the member dies during the session, and we are
deprived OF his aid and counsel in the discharge Of our
....~ H.