The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-08-12
IL SENATE. AUGUST o.

message was received from the House of
Representatives. by MIR, Forney their Clerk,
communicating to the Senate information of
the death of the Hon. RoBERT RANTouL. IT.. "A
member of the House of Representatives from
the state Of Massachusetts, and the proceed
ings Of the House thereon.
The message having been read,
Mr.. SUMNER said
BY formal message Of the House of Repre-
sentatiyeS wa now learn that one of our asso-
cates IN the public councils has died Only IL
few brief days had almost said hours-hayc
passed since he was in his accustomed seat
Now lac is gone from us forever. He was my
colleague and friend; and yet 50 sudden has
been this change that no tidings of his illness
even had reached me before learned that he
was already beyond the reach of mortal aid or
consolation, and that the shadows of the grave
had already descended upon him. He died here
IN w Washington, late on Saturday evening, Au-
gust IN, and his earthly remains, accompani-
ed by the bereaved companion of his life. with
a committee Of the other House. are now far
ON the way to Massachusetts. there to mingle
dust to dust with his native soil
The occasion does not permit me to speak Mt
length ct the character or services of Mr.. Ran
tonl. a few words will suffice nor will the
August 18TH 1903, at Beverly. IN the county of
Essex the home of Nathan Dane author of
the immortal ordinance by which freedom was
made u perpetual heirloom in the broad region
"t the Northwest Here under happv auspicrs
OF family aud neighborhuod. he commenced
lie Here his excellent father honorcd for
ms public services venerable also with wears
and flowing silver locks, yet lives To mourn his
h~t-surNNIng son. The sad fortune of Burke
Is removed. tie who should have been as DOS
terlty ~ now to this father in the place of an
Cestry
Mr.. RANTorL was early member Of the
Legislature Of Massachusetts,. and there won his
hr't tame. For many years hc occupied place
IN the Board OF Education in that State He
was also. Tor a time collector of the rort Of
Boston. and afterwards attorney of the United
Ntates Tor Massachusetts During "a brief pe-
r"d Il" held seat m this body. Finally. in
1891, 10y the choice of his native district. re-.
marianne Tor IT. intelligence and public spirit
ne became Representative in the other branch
81 'h' National legislature In all these spheres
ne performed most acceptable service and the
iuluI' PROMISED opportunities of "A higher char
acter Ia which la, abilities, industry. and f,lcl
lty, would have amply responded Massachu
setts has many arrows IN her well-stocke,
qulNcr; but few could She so i'll spare. as the
servant We now mourn.
by original fitness by study knowledge. nm,
various experience, he was formed for pnhli,
service. But lac was no stranger to other our
suits. Early devoted to the profession of tn
law he followed it with assidnity and success,
In the antiquities of our Jurisprudence few
were more learned His arguments at the ba
were thorough nor was hisintellectual prompt
ness IN all emergencies of trial easily sur
passed. Literature neglected by many under
the pressure Of professional life was AWAY,
cultivated 10y him His taste for books was en-
during. tie was a constant student Amids
ms manifold labors professional and public, h,
cherished the honorable aspiration of adding
l" the historical productions of his country. A
work on the history of France, wherein the
annals and character of this great nation should
be portrayed 10y an American pen had occu.
ped much of his thoughts | know not if any
part was ever maturod for publication.
Inc practice of the law, while it sharpcns
the intellect. ~ too apt to cramp the faculties
within the narrow limit Of forms, and to re.
strain the GENIAL currents of the soul Il had
no such influence on him. lie was n Reform.
err In the warfare with evil he WIS enlisted
early and openly az soldier for life As such
he did not hesitate to encounter opposition, to
bear oboquy, and to brave enmity His con.
science, pure as goodness, sustained him in
every trial-even that sharpest of all, the de-
sertion Of friends And yet while earnest il
his cause his zeal was tempered beyond tina,
Of the common reiormer He knew well tn,
difference between the deai and the actual ant
sought by practical means, in harmony witt
the existing public sentiment to promote til,
interests which he had at heart He saw
clearly that reform could not prevail at once
IN an hour, or day-but that it would be the
slow and certain result of constant labor, tcs-
tmony aud faith, Determined and tranquil
IN hls own convictions he had the grace 10
respect the convictions Of others Recognising
IN the social and political system the essential