Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-08-19

progress Of civilization, his name will be
ndisolubly connected.
There is another cause which Of late &C.
cupied his best faculties, and To which, had
life been spared, he would have giFen the
maturity Of his powers. But am forbid
den by the occasion to name it here. See,
in the long line of portraits on the walls of
the ducal palace Of Venice, commemora-
ting its Doges. a single panel, where a
portrait should have been, shrouded by
dark curtHin; but this darkened blank in
that place, attracts the beholder more than
any picture. Let such q curtain fall to-day
upon this theme.
In becoming harmony with these noble
causes was the purity of his private life
here he was bameless. In manners he was
modest, simple and retiring; in CONVERSE
ton, he disposed to listen rather than speak,
though all were well pleased when he broke
silence, and in apt language declared his
glowing thoughts. But in the public As
sembly, before the people, or in the Legs-
lative Hail. he was bold and triumphant
As debaler, he rarely met his equal Flu
ent, earnest, rapid, incicive, his words at
times came forth like flashing scimeiar-
few could stand against him. He always
understood his subject, and then, clear, log
lcal and determined, seeing his point be-
fore him, pressed forward with unrelenting
power. His speeches on formal occasions
were enriched by study, and contain passa-
ges Of beauty.
But he was most truly at home in dealing
with practical questions, arising from the
exigences Of life. Few had studied public
affairs more infinitely or intelligibIy. As a
constant and effective member OF the Dem.
ocratic party, he had become conspicuous
by championshipsof its doctrines in the cur.
rency and free trade These he often dis
cussed, but there was no topic within the
wide range of our national concerns which
did not occupy his thoughts. The resour-
Gees and needs of the Northwest were all
known to him. and Western interests were
near his heart. AS the distant pioneer rest
ing from his daily abors learns the death of
Rantoul, he will feel personal grief the
fishermen opposite on the Eastern coast,
many Of whom are jewellers in his District,
will sympalhize with the pioneer As
these hardy children of the sea, returning
IN their small craft from their late adven.
lures, hear the sad tidings, they too will
feel that they have lost friend, and well
they may. During his last fitful hours Of
life, while reason still struggled against dis.
eases, he was anxious for their welfare
The speech which, in their behalf, he had
hoped soon to make on the floor Of Con
gress, was then chasing through his mind
finally, in broken utterances, he gave tc
them some of. his last earthly thoughts.
The death of such man, SO suddenly,
in mid career, is we'll calculated to arrest
attention, and to furnish admonltion. From
the love of family. the attachment of friends
and the regard Of feIlow.citlzens, he has
been removed Leaving behind the care:
of life, the concerns of state, and wretched
strifes Of party, he has assembled TO those
mansions where there is no strife, or con-
Germ or care. At last he stands face to face
in His presence, whose service is perfect
freedom. He has gone before. You and
|, Sir, and all Of US, must follow so0n.-
God graut that we may 60 with equal CON
seriousness Of duty done. He offered the
usual resolutions, which were adopted, ant
the Senate adjourned.
Mr. Mann announced the death OF Hon
Robert Rantoul Jr., late a Member Of the
House from Massachusetts He died or
Saturday night, of erysipelas. The Hines
was brief, he having been in his seat OF
Tuesday last. His wife reached the Gil.
on the morning Of the day on which h
brea:hed his last, and yesterday returned
with his remains to Massachusetts, Th
deceased was born in that State, and had h
lived till next Friday, he would have beeI
AZ years of age.
Mr.. Mann spoke eloquently of the sa
event, portrayinE the many virtues and &C
complishmenls of his late colleague, sum
ming up by saying he was " an honest man
the nobIest work of Cod" and in conclu
sion, offered resolutions expressing tn
deep sensibiIty which the House has hear
the sad intelligence of Mr.. Rantoul's deatf
rendering to his family the sympathy enteI
tanned for their loss, resolving to wear crap
on the left arm for twenty days: and as
further mark of respect that the House at
journ.
MIR. Fowler made few eloquent remark
on the occasion, and concluded by otferln
another resolution, providing for deirayln
the funeral expenses.
Messsrs McLanahan, Mace and Clark 81
erally bore their tribute of respect, remln'
ing their feIow.members to be admonIShe
of their responsibility by this solemn an
impressive dispensatlon' The House az
journed,