Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-08-14


on Finance and ordered TO be printed
Also, communication frome the Secretary OF war In
compliance with resolution Of the z9th uiumo Trans
hitting estimates of amounts that can be advantageousy
expended in the construction Of certain fortcatons dur
ing the fiscal year ending the 3Oth Of June, 1898
On motion by Mr.. SHIELDS, IL was referred to the
Committee on Military Affairs
The Secretary refers, Tor MS views IN regaru 10 tne
and the relative Importance of the various works
included in the estimates, to his report on fortlhcaons
made the House OF Representatives at the commence
ment of the present session.
The Secretary also says that while he with the
in regard to the Importance OF all the
new works in OF construction, and which
included in the present estimates there are some the
necessity for which is less urgent than for others He
transmits the estimates entire leaving Congress dis
crmnate if they should prefer to do between them
He refers page four of that document which says
By reference the list will be seen that several of these
works constitute parts of the defences ofsome of
poant seapors TO wit, Philadelphia, Baltimore Norfolk
with the navy yard at Portsmouth, Charleston Pensacola
1.-THE only good harbor for vessels of and the only naval
depot the Gulf and Mobile There be doubt that
If points coast yet TO be fortified these should
be among the number.
OBITUARY
message was received from the House Of Represen-
tatives announcing the death Of the honorable Mr. RAN
ToUL Representative from the State Of Massachusetts,
and the proceedings of that body thereon, when
Mr. SUMNER and said: By formal message of
the House of Representatives learn that of
associates in the public councils has died Only
few brief days-I had almost said hours-have passed
since he in his accustomed seat Now he is gone
from us forever He my colleague and friend and
yet SO sudden has been this change that no dngs of his
illness had reached before learned that he was
already beyond the reach of mortal aid consolation
ed upon him He died here in Washington late on Satur-
day evening August It'll, and his earthly remains
companied by the bereayed companion Of his fe with
committee of the other House, far the way to
Massachusetts,, there to minge dust to Dust with his
native soil.
The occasion does not permit to speak length of
the character services OF Mr. RANTouL. few words
will suffice nor wi she language of eulogy be required
He born August 49, 1906 Beverly in the county
of Essex, the home of Nathan Dane author Of the i'm
mortal ordinance by which freedom made perpetu-
al heirloom in the broad region of the Northwest Here
under happy auspices of family and neighborhood he
commenced life Here his excellent father honored for
his public services venerable also with years and flowing
silver locks yet lives to his last surviving
The sad fortune of Burke is renewed He who should
have been posterty is to this father in the place
of ancestry.
Mr. Rantoul was early member of the Legislature
of Massachusetts,, and there his first fame. For
many years he occupied place the Board of Educa-
ton in that State He also for time collector of
the port of Boston, and afterwards attorney of the Unit
ed States for Massachusetts, During brief period he
held seat in this body Finally in 1851 by the choice
of his native district remarkable for its intelligence and
public spirit he became representative in the other
branch Of the Naonat Legislature In all these spheres
he performed most acceptable service And the future
promised opportunities Of higher character, to which
his abilities, industry, and fidelity would have amply re-
sponded. Massachusetts has many in her we'll
stocked CULVER but few could she i'll spare as the
servant
By original fitness by study, knowledge and various
experience he formed for public service. But he
stranger other pursuits Early devoted to the
profession of the law, he followed it with assiduy and
In the antiquities of jurisprudence few
learned His arguments the Bar were tho
rough his intellectual promrness in all emer-
gences of trial easily surpassed Literature, neglected
by many under the pressure of professional fe al
cd hrrh tae4a
ing. He constant student. Amidst his manifold
abors professional and public he cherished the honor
able aspiration of adding to the historical productions of
his country. work the history of France wherein
The annals and character of this great nation should be
portrayed by American pen had occupied much of his
thoughts know not if any part was ever matured for
publication.
The practice Of the law while it sharpens the intellect
is apt cramp the faculties within the limits
of FORM and restrain the genial currents of the soul
Itaad no such influence him.. He Reformer.
In The warfare with evil he enlisted early and openly
asodier for life. As such he did hesitate to
counter opposition to bear obloquy and to brave enmity
His Conscience pure goodness, sustained him in every
trial. wen that sharpest of all the deseron of friends
And yet while in his cause his zeal temper
d beyond that of the reformer. He knew well
the difference between the ideal and the actual and sought
by practical MEANS in harmony with the existing public
sentiment promote the interests which he had at heart
He saw clearly that reform could prevail once in
hour day but that it would be the slow and
tain result of constant labor testimony and faith De-
termlneQ anu tranquil CONNEXIONS ne the
grace respect the convictions of others Recognising
in the social and political system the essential elements of
stability and progress be dscerned at the Office Of
the Conservative and the Reormer But he also that
blind conservatism not less destructive than blind
reform. BY the mingled caution, moderation, and
nesness Of his abors he seemed often to blend two char
acters in one and to be at the same time Reforming
Conservative and Conservative Rsforar.
might speak of his devotion to public improvements
of all kinds particularly to the system Of railroads But
here he the popular side There were other causes
where his struggle keener and meritorous AT
moment when his services much needed, he was
the faithful supporter Of schools the peculiar
glory Of New England BY word and example he sus-
tanned the Of temperance Some Of his most de-
voted abors commencing in the Legislature OF Massachu-
setts for the abolition Of capital punishment Per-
haps person since that consummate jurist, Edward
Livingston has done much by reports articles, letters
and speeches. to commend this reform to the country
With its final triumph in the progress Of civilization his
will be indssoluby connected. There is another
that commanded his early sympathies and some Of
his latest and best endeavors to which, had life beer
spared he would have given the maturity Of his powers
Poserity cannot forget it but am forbidden by this
cason to il here Sir in the long line of portraits
on the walls Of the duca palace Of Venice commemorat
ing its Doges single panel, where portrait should have
been is shrouded by dark curtain But this darkenec
blank in that palace attracts the beholder more thar
any picture. Let such curtain fall to-day upon th
theme
In becoming harmony with these noble thu
purity Of his private life. Here he was bameless.
manners he was modest, simple, and retiring In con
versaton he disposed listen rather than to speak
though all well pleased when he broke silence ant
in apt language declared his glowing thoughts But IL
the public assembly, before the people, in the legisa
tive hail. he bold and triumphant AS debater h'