Fremont weekly freeman. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1850-1853, 1850-07-27
Proceedings in Congress.


The proceedings in Congress upon the de-
cease of the President, are of great interest.
We have not room for much of them to day.
We give below the remarks of Mr.. Winthrop
and Mr.. Marshall, in the House. Speeches
were also madeby Messrs Mclane. Baker, Bay
ly, Hilliard, and John A King. We shall en-
deavor to give the proceedings in the Senate
tomorrow: [Buff Com.
Mr. Winthrop rose to second the resolutions,
and proceeded as follows:
It would not be easily excused, Mr. Speak
er, by those whom l represent in this hall, if
there wereno Massachusetts, voice to respond
to the euogy which has been pronounced by
Louisiana upon her illustriops and lamented
son. Indeed, neither my personal feelings nor
my political relations to the living or to the
dead, would permit me TO remain altogether
silent on this occasion And yet, sir, confess
know not how to say any thing satisfactory
to myself or suitable to the circumstances of
the hour
The event which has Just been officially
announced, has come upon us so suddenly
has so overwhelmed us with mingled emotions
of surprise and sadness-that the ordinary
forms of expression seem to lose their signifi-
canoe, and one would fain bow his head to the
blow in silence, until its first shock has in some
degree passed away.
Certainly, sir, no one can fail torealize that
most momentous and mysterious Providence
has been manifested in our midst. AT mo-
ment when, more than almost ever before in
our history, the destinies of our country seem
ed, to all human sight, to be inscparably as
sociated with the character and conduct of its
Chief Executive Magistrate, that Magistrate
has been summoned from his post by the on
ly messenger whose mandates he might not
have defed, and has been Withdrawn forever
from the sphere of human existencel
There are those of us need not say, sir,
who had looked to him with affection and rev.
erence as our chosen leader and guide in the
difficulties and perplexities by which we are
surrounded There are those Of us who had
relied confidently on him, as upon no other
man, to uphold the constitution and maintain
the union of the country in that future upon
(which "clouds and darkness" may well be
said to rest And, as we now behold him,
borne away by the hand Of God from our
sight in the very hour of peril, we can hardly
repress the exclamation, which was applied to
tbe departing prophet of old: "My father, my
fatherl the chariot of Israel, ,and the horseman
thereof"
Let me not. even seem to imply, however.
that the death of General TAYLOR is anything
less than national loss There may be, and
we know there is, in this event, a privileged
and pre-eminent grief for his immediate fami-
ly and relatives, to which we can only offer
the assurance of our heart felt Sympathy
There is, too, a peculiar sorrow for his politi-
cal friends and supporters, which we would
not affect to conceal. But the whole people
Of the United States will feel and bear witness,
when they receive these melancholy tidings
that they have been called to sustain a most
affecting national bereavment
l hazard nothing, sir, in saving that the roll
of our Chief Magistrates, since 1889 illustrious
as it is. presents the name of no man who has
enjoyed higher reputation with his cotempo-
lraries, or who will enjoy higher reputation
with posterity than Zachary Taylor, for some
of the best and noblest qualities that adorn
our nature.
His indomintable courage his unimpeacha-
bic honesty, his Spartan simplicity and sagac-
lity, his frankness, Kindness moderation, and
magnanimnity, his fidelity to his friends, his
generosity and humanity to his enemies, the
purity of his private life, the patriotism of his
: public principles, will never cease to be cher
. 1ished in the grateful remembrance of all just
men and all true hearted Americans.
, As Soldier and General, his fame is as
sociated with some of the proudest and most
thrilling scenes of our military history. He
J may be literally said to have conquered ev-
cry enemy he has met, save only that last en-
eng to which we must all, in turn, surrender
As civilian and statesman during the briet
period in which he be has been permitted tc
leAioy the pre-eminent honors which CRATE
: full country had awarded him, he has giver
J proof of devotion to duty, of an attachment
to the constitution and the Union, of patri
otic desire to maintain the peace of our coun
try, which no trials or temptations could shake
He has borne his faculties meekly, but firmly
; He has been "clear in his great Office" He
has known no local partialities or prejudices
but has proved himself capable of embracing
his whole country in the comprehensive atfec
tions and regards of large and generous
heart
! But he has fallen almost at the thresh
D hold of his civil career, and at amoment wheI
r some of us was looking to him to render ser
. vice to the country which we thought no 9th
: er man. could perform. Certainly sir, h,
t has died too soon for every body bat himself
We can hardly find it in our hearts to repine
J, that the good old man has gone to his rest
: We cannot grndge the repose in which tn
e brave old soldier sleeps His part in life ha
: been long and faithfully performed. In his OWL
= last words. che had always done his duty, ant
was not afraid TO die" But our regrets 70
8 ourselves and for our country are deep ant
unfeigned.
n Sir, it was a 6t and beautiful circumstanc
. in the close of such career, that his last off
d cial appearance was at the celebration of tn
q birthday of our national Independence, an,
r more especially as an act of homage to tt,
r memory of him whose example he had eve
r revered and followed, and who, as he hin1sel
!. so well said twas by so many titles the fathe
e of his country"
5, And now, Mr. Speaker. let us hope tina
n this event may teach US all how vain is our re
1t lliance upon any arm of flesh and NAV inlpres