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

elements of stability and r. 80 -
at once the office Of the 1p9S4 sao
Reformer But he saw ~ bipd 60.
servatism was not less factivs 1hanA
Reform. By the min Caation, - On,
and earnestness of Ibors be ee ctten
to blend two char6 - in qneI be at
the same time Ref ing Cons - and a
Conservative Reformae
might speak of his dsvotio public inn
provements of all kinds, pAfticul1 to the sys-
TEN of railroads. But her, Jas on the
popular side There werNf buses, where
his struggle was keener AN ymeritorious
At moment when his were much
needed. hc was the faithful sp4ter OF Com
mon Schools the peculiar glofI0f New Eng
land BY word and example hesuatained the
cause of Temperance. Some Of his most de-
voted labors commencing in the Legislature oil
Massachusetts were for the abolition of capt.
tai punishment. Perhaps no person since that
consummate jurist, Edward Livingston, has
done 50 much, by reports articles letters, and
speeches to commend thisrefOrm TO the country.
With it, final triumph. in the progress of civil
ization his name will De indisSolubly connected.
There is another cause. that commanded his ear.
" svmpath.es and some of his latest best en-
deayors. to which. had life been spared, he
would have given the splendid maturity OF hlS
powers. Po>terity cannot forget 1t; but J am
forbidden by this occasion ~ name it here
SIT in the long line IF portraits on the walls
of the ducal palace Of Venice, concentrating
IT, Dogs. a single panel where portrait
[ should have been i shroudcd by a dark cur
/ tain But this darkeued blank in that place,
attract, the heGu.drr more than any picture
/ lie, such curtain tall to-day upon this theme
In becoming harmony with these noble
causes vs., the purity of hi~ private lite. Here
/ be- was hllmrlcsS la manners he was modest,
simple, anu retiring In conversation he was
disposed to listen rather than o. speak. though
All were well pleased when he broke silence,
md in apt language declared his glowing
thoughts But In the public assembly. before
che people. or in the legislative hall he was bold
and triumphant \, i IeLater he rarely met
hi, peer Fluent earnest rapid, sharp, inciSiye
his word, at times came forth ike flashing
~cimitar a. Few could stand against him. He
always understood his subject and then clear
logical and determined seeing his point before
him pressed forward with unrelenting power
His Speeches on formal occasions were en-
riched by study. and contain passages of beauty.
But he was most truly at home in dealing with
practical questions arising from the actual ext
z'ncirS of life. .
Few had studied public affairs more minute
~ or iutelljgrntly. A. Il constant and effective
member OF the Democratic party, he had be-
come conspicuous by championship of Its doe
trine- on the Currency and Free Trade Those
he often discussed and from the amplitude of
ms knowledge, and his overlooking familiarity
with facts statistics, and the principles of poti-
cal economy, pouredupon them luminous flood.
Bat there was no topic within the wide range of
orr national concerns which did not occupy his
thoughts. The Resources and needs of the West
were all known 10 him. and Western interests
were near his heart. As the pioneer. resting from
his daily labOrS, learns the death of RantOul he
will feel "A personal grief The fishermen on
the distant Eastern coast. many of whom are
lwrlier, in his district will sympathize with
the pioneer. A. these hardy children of the
sea. returning IN their small craft from their
late adventures, hear the sad tidings they, too
Will confess that they have lost friend And
well they may! During his last fitful hours of
life, while reason still struggled against disease,
he was anxious for their welfare The speech |
which, in their behalf he had hoped soon to |
make on the floor Of Congress was then cha !
sing through his mind Finally, in broken
uttcrauccs. he gave to them some of his latest !
earthly thoughts.
The death Of such man, 80 suddenly, in
mid career, is well calculated to arrest atten-
ton and to furnish admoniton From the love
of family the attachment of friends. and the
regard of felow-citzens, he has been removed
Leaving behind the cares of life, the concerns
of State and the wretched strifes of party, he
has assembled to those mansions where there is
no strife or concern or care AT last he
stands face to face in His presence, whose ser
vice is perfect freedom. He has gone before
You and !, sir, and all Of US, must follow soon
God grant that we may go with equal con-
seriousness of duty done. | now beg leave to |
offer the following resolutions
ReS0iCed, UH0atmGudG That the Senate
mourns the death of the Hon. Robert Rantoul
jun, late member Of the House of Repre-
sentatiycS from Massachusetts, and tenders to
ms relatives II sincere sympathy in this atilict-
my bereavement.
Re>oired, rs II mark Of respect for the men, |
DRY of the deceased that the Senate do now |
adjourn.
The resolutions were unanimously agreed to. |
and, accordingly the Senate adjourned.