The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-08-12
IN SENATE, AUGUST 9.

message was received from the House of
Representatives. by MIR, FOrney their Clerk
communicating to the Senate information of
the death of the Hon. ROBERT RANToUL, ir,
member of the House of Representatives from
the State Of Massachusetts, and the proceed
ings of the House thereon
The message having been read,
Mr. SUMNER said
BY formal message Of the House Of Repre-
sentatlveS, we now learn that one of our asso-
ciutes III the public councils has died Only II
few brief days had almost said hours-hayc
passed since he was in his accustomed seat
Now he is gone from lis forever. He was my
colleague and friend; and yet so sudden has
been this change, that no tdings of his illness
even had reached me before learned that he
was already beyond the reach of mortal aid or
consolation, and that the shadows of the grave
had already descended upon HIM He died here
in Washington, late on Saturday evening, Au-
gust 18th, and his earthly remains, accompuni-
ed by the bereayed companion of his life with
committee of the other House, are now far
on the way to Massachusetts there to mingle
dust to dust with his native soil
The occasion does not permit me to speak Mt
length OF the character or services of MIR. Ran
tout A few words will suffice nor will the
language OF enlogy be required He was born
August 18Th 1905 ut Beverly, in the county OF
Essex, the home of Nathan Dane, author of
the immortal ordinance by which freedom was
made II perpetual heirloom in the broad region
OF the Northwest Here, under happy auspices
of family aud ncighbOrhood he commenced
life. Here his excellent father honorcd for
his public services, venerable also with years
and flowing silver locks, yet lives to mourn his
last-surynIng son. The sad fortune of Burke
IS renewed. lie who should have been as pos
terlty Is now to tins father IN the place Of an
ce4try
MIR. RANTouL was early member of the
Legislature of Massachusetts,, aud there won his
first fame For many years he occupied IA place
in the Board of Education in that State He
was also for time, collector of the port OF
Boston, and afterwards attorney of the United
States for Massachusetts During q brief pc
Rod lac held Il seat in this body Finally. in
1881, by the choice of his native district, re
markahl" for its intelligence and public spirit.
he became Representative in the other branch
OF the National Legislature. In all these spheres
he performed most acceptable service and the
future promised opportunities of a higher char
acter, to which his abilities, industry, and fdcI-
lty would have amply responded Alassachu-
setts has many arrows in her well-stocked
qullcr; but few could She SO i'll spare. IA the
servant we now mourn.
BY original fitness by study. knowledge. and
various experience, he was formed for public
service. But lac WAS no stranger to other pur-
suits. Early devoted to the profession of the
law, he followed it with assiduity and success
In the antiquities of our Jurisprudence few
were more learned His arguments at the bar
were thorough nor was his intellectual prompt
ness IN all emergencies OF a trial easily sur
passed Literature neglected by many under
the pressure of professional life, was always
cultivated by him His taste for books was en-
during. lie was II constant student Amidst
his manifold labors professional and public he
cherished the honorable aspiration Of adding
to the historical productions of his country A
work ON the history Of France wherein the
annalsand character of this great nation should
he portrayed 10y an American pen. had occu-
pied much of his thoughts. know not if any
part was ever matured for publication.
The practice of the law, while il sharpcns
the intellect ~ too apt To cramp the faculties
within the narrow limit of forms, and to re-
strain the genial currents of the soul. II had
no such influence on him. He was n Reform.
err In the warfare with evil he was enlisted
early and openly as n soldier for life. As such.
ne did not hesitate TO encounter opposition, 10
bear obloquy and TO brave enmty. His con
science, pure rs goodness, sustained him in
every trial-eyen that sharpest of all, the de-
sertiOn of friends And yet while earnest in
his cause his zeal was tempered beyond that
of the common reformer He knew well the
difference between the ideal and the actual and
sought by practical means, in harmony with
the existing public sentiment to promote the
interests which he had at heart He saw
clearly that reform could not prevail at once
in an hour, or a day-but that it would be the
slow aud certain result of constant labor tes-
timony, and faith. Determined and tranquil
in his own convictions, he had the grace to
respect the convictions of others Recognising
in the social and political system tho essential