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

elements OF SJaDuity anu - 49, "a
at once the Office Of the Dystve ana we
Reformer. But he saw - blind Con.
servatsm was not less factive than NJ
Reform. By the min caution, modeon,
and earnestness of bors he $500 often
to blend two char b in one, ~ be AT
the same time Retd ing Consse " and
Conservative ReformSV
might speak of his ;dssotios public inn
provements of all kinds, particula to the sys-
tenn of railroads But here Jas on the
popular side There werea buses, where
his struggle was keener AN &oEs mertonouS
At a moment when his a were much
needed. he was the faithful sp&ter Of Com
mon Schools, the peculiar glory Of New Eng
land BY word and example he~ustained 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, ana
speeches, TO commend thisreform to the country.
With its final triumph, in the progress OF civil
izati0n. his name will be indissOubly connected.
There il another cause that commanded his ear
y sympath.cS and some of his latest best en-
dcavors, to which, had life been spared, he
would have given the splendid maturity OF hls
powers. PoSterity cannot forget it; but am
forbidden by this occasion to name 1t here
Sir, in the long line of portraits ON the walls
of the ducal palace Of Venice, concentrating
its Doges, n single panel, where portrait
should have been, is shr0uded by dark cur
! tain. But this darkcned blank in that place,
attracts the beholder more than any picture
| Let such curtain fall to-day upon this theme
In becoming harmony with these noble
causes was the purity of his private life Here
! he was blamclcss. In manners he was modest
! simple, and retiring In conversation he was
! disposed to listen rather than to speak, though
all were well pleased when he broke silence,
and in apt language declared his glowing
thoughts. But in the public assembly, before
the people, or in the legislative hall, he was bold
and triumphant. As "A debater, he rarely met
| his peer Fluent earnest rapid sharp, incisiye,
| his words ut times came forth like Il flashing
scimitar Few could stand against him. He
always understood his subject and then, clear,
| logical and determined seeing his point before
| him. pressed forward with unrelentng 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
gcncicS of life.
Few had studied public affairs more minute
ly or mtelligently. AS u constant and effective
member of the Democratic party, he had be-
come conspicuous by championship of its doe
trues on the Currency and Free Trade. Those
he often discussed; and from the amplitude Of
his knowledge, and his overlooking familiarity
with facts, statistics and the principles Of politi.
cal economy, pQuredupon them luminous flood
- a 81 -
our national concerns which did not occupy his
| thoughts. The resources and needs of the w est
were all known to him. and Western interests
were near his heart AS the pioneer resting from
| his daily aborT. learns the death of Rant0ul, he
will feel personal grief The fishermen on
| the distant Eastern coast many of whom are
| jewellers in his district, will sympathize with
| the pioneer As these hardy children of the
sea, returning in their small craft from their
late adventures, hear the sad tdngs, thoy too
will confess that they have lost a friend. And
we'll they may During his last ftful hours of
life while reason still struggled against disease
he was anxious for their welfare. The speech
which, in their behalf ne had hoped soon to
make on the floor Of Congress, was then cha
sing through his mind. Finally i'll broken
uttcrances, he gave to them some of his latest
N'tl bilJ NliVuSh'T'
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 fcow-citizens, he has been removed
Leaving behind the cares of life, the concerns
Of State, and the wretched striies 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 l. sir, and all Of us, must follow soon.
God grant that we may go with equal con-
6ci0asness OF duty done. | now beg leave to
offer the following resolutions:
ReSolUed unoaimo,NiB That the Senate
mourns the death of the Hon. Robert Rantoul
jun. late member of the House of Repre-
sentatycs from Massachusetts and tenders to
his relatives sincere sympathy in this atilict
ing bereavement.
Resoired rs II mark of respect for the mem
DRY Of the deceased, that the Senate do now
adjourn.
The resolutions were unanimously agreed to,
and accordingly the Senate adjourned.