The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-08-10

send to penal chains and darkness the demons
who have 50 long
"through sui report," for in its early, and even in
it's maturer days, 1t bad no "good report" He
resisted the solicitations of the abandoned to aban-
don this great reform, and rejected the unholy hon.
ors with which they tempted him to disloyalty.
Who would now exchange his consciousness for
theirs!
In 1887 Mr.. RANroUL was appointed by Governor
Everett and his Council one Of the original mem
bers Of the Massachusetts, Board Of Education This
office he held for ak years, and until 1t expired by
its own Limitation. He was an active and most
intelligent member of the Board. He was wise
counsellor and faithful friend Of that then
impugned and contested, but now 60 deeply seated
in the affections Of the people that II would be as
difficult to obliterate from our social poty as to
expungs the judiciary itself. While q member Of
the Board Mr.. RANTouL wrote very able article
on the subject of educa ton for the number Of the
North American Review published October, 1888.
Mr.. RAHToUL devoted vast attention and re-
search TO the still vexed question OF capital punish
menti and perhaps it may be said that no man is
what he has written.
In the course of his life, MIR. RANrouL has ad.
dressed many literary societies, made political
speeches almost innumerable, and has been en-
gagged in legal causes Of great magnitude and diff
ficuty; and one thing may be affirmed Of all his
public performances: he never fell below the &C.
casion, never disappointed the expectations Of his
most sapguine friends No greater misfortune can
his talents or attainments are unequal. The same
man who has been respected and honored in O sub
ordinate sphere, may become ridiculous and con-
temptibe in a higher one, to which injudicious
friends may advance him. Though it may be the
same man, yet we judge OF his size by the height
OF the pedestal on which he stands. He may seem
Of full stature when near the ground, but dwindle
TO pigmy on the top of a column. Heace every
promotion has its risk. Mr.. RANToUL encountered
all such risks, and not only escaped but always
triumphed. Each successive increase in the height
Of bis pedestal only showed bis large proportions
to better advantage.
Though mainly dependant upon his own
tons for a livelihood, yet Mr.. RANrouL had time
for study, and means for libraries and other auxil
iaries OF eInnence because he never had any time
consuming or mind weakening vices. He kept
himself clean and pure from the miserable personal
indugencies OF the epicure and the bon ric0nt,
which eat away time and consume means, and set
so many young man back in the race Of lie;
and though often more attractive than alarming at
first, generally develop and mature into full. grown
and bideous vices afterwards. In abstinence, in
industry, in system, he was a pattern for young
men. He heightened life by beginning to perform
its duties early.
Mr.. RANroULs mind was singularly keen and
acute. Yet he did not use his keenness and acu-
men as they are often used to cut and pierce at
random, but to strike the joint and trace out the
marrow Of whatever subject be dissected. The
working of his faculties was rather judicial
than forensic; logic predomnated over rhetoric
Words were his counters, not his coin. The
spectator was less struck by the glitter Of his
battle-axe than by the precision of its blow. He
was Of too kindly nature to generate much sa-
tire; yet against oppression and fraud he could be
severe. Either consciously or unconsciously, he
recognised the great truth that no moral being can
see virtue and vice as they are. and the eternal
antagonism between them, and love the former
| without hating the latter. He who thinks it his
duty to look complacently upon wrong, mis- res
torpidity of conscience for charity.
Mr.. RANToUL' atiainments were all in harmony
with his original cast of mind-not snowy, but So
lid not gathered Tor ostentation, but for use.
There was depth enough in bis stream Of thought
to make a score OF brawling rivulets. In proinis
cuous company, while the conversation roamed
and foated the levties Of literature the fri
volities OF history, have known him to sit by the
hour almost dumb but when the conversation
struck into the depth and heart Of things, when it
discussed the great events that Join and articulate
the history and fortunes Of mankind, then sudden
ly it became his turn to shine and he would set
forth his principles and march up his close battala
Of facts and arguments for their support till the
rash disputant who encountered him would
quirc library of books and months Of time to
study up to his positions.
So far as my knowledge extends, am not
aware that any imputation Of personal dishonor
or dishonesty ever rested for oil hour upon his
name; which, for man 60 extensively engaged
in business and in politics as he was is the high
est certificate of his being that 'nobest work of
and saw him frequently; and, though differing
from him on many points, yet have said to his
opponents a thousand times, and now say it to
the world, believed him to be honest and sincere.
political man should not be condemned without
some great, irrefragable, luminous proof Of his
blameworthiness; and surely no such can be al
legged against Mr.. RANTouL.
But, sir, will not pursue these remarks, each
sentence OF which 10 q fresh remembr ance of our
loss. In the vigor of his manhood; his disciplined
faculties all ready and eager Tor effort; his stores
Of knowledge wonderfully full; his fame already
bright and high, though yet eliminated, he has
of en- / mot - hat
this proclaims to the vanity and worthlessness Of
life; for that ID a doctrine do not believe; but do
not its admontions strike us with voice cloud on
the heart az thunder the ear" proclaiming that
it is only those acts Of duty and bensvoience which
survive the actor, and whose effects go widening
and deepening in an unendng progression Of be-
nhcence after We have departed that con give true
dignity and beauty and noblcness to our transitory
existence upon earth. IT, as believe, death is but
an event in life, our Book of Judgment our rewards
and penalties in another world may at least partly
consist in our beholding The consequences, then
fated and inexorable, Of our former conduct.
While remembering the widow and the orphan
SONS OF the deceased, there is a venerable form in
that group VI family mourners who must not be
forgotten. MIR. Rantoui the senior 10 gentleman
OF more than thrce-score and ten years, of great
worth and excellence Of private character; for
many years a member OF one branch or the other
of our State Legislature, and universally respect.
ed. OF his eight children, six have now gone DO.
fore him. Our friend. my colleague, was his only
surviving son. In such a case truly II may be
said, "us the survivor dies" lone and solitary
parent bereft of his children, has been compared
to aged tree stripped of its foliage and its limbs,
and casting its shade by its trunk, and not by its
branches
"Trunco, non frondibus eficit umbram."
Oh, may the spirit of God descend with healing
when this last arrow pierces that aged heart
Mr.Speaker, move the adoption Of the follow.
ing resolutions:
Reso!ved, That this House has received with
deep sensiblity the announcement OF the dea th Of
the Hon. RoBERr RANTouL, jr.,a member Of this
House from the State of Massachusetts.
Resolrsd, That this House tenders ~ the family
of the deceased the expression Of its sy mpahy on
this affecting event, and, a testimony Of respect
for his memory, the members and officers OF this
House will wear the usual badge Of mourning for
thirty days.
RtsoiUed, That the Clerk of this House be di.
rected t. communicate a copy of these proceed
ings to the family OF the deceased, and also to the
Senate.
Resolved, That, as further testimony Of respect
for the deceased, this House do now adjourn.
Mr.. FOWLER said: Mr.. Speaker, in secondiug
the resolutions just moved, as my feelings prompt
Inc. trust the House will indulge me while add
a. few words to what has been so appropriately and
eloquentiy eaid by my honorable colleague who
has Just taken his seat.
Death, always an impressive messenger, has in
this instance stricken down the man slrong in in
al iuh in hrova in hie In,