The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-12-20
In CONGRESS OF THE U. STATES.
MONDAY. DECEMBER 10. 1853.
SENATE.

N
Mr. CLAY presented the credentials OF The Hon. BEN
FnzpATscK. elected senator by the gsa.ure
OF Alabama 10 NIL the anexpred term OF the Hon. Will
liam K King resigned and Nj. + having Appealed the
oath prescribed BY the constitution administered
him, and he took bis seat Ia the Senate.
HON CHARLES ATHERToN
Mr. NORRIS ! rise. Mr.. President. to ssk the unan-
mous consent OF the Senate TO introduce certain resou
ions concerning the death of my late colleague
No objection being made, Mr. ~ proceeded to address
Mr. PRESIDENT Before offering the resolutions, which
by The KIND Indulgence OF the Senate, enabled 10
present at This ime will submit few remarks in
During the four years have been honored with seat
in this chamber often has the attention OF the Senate
been arrested from It's ordinary business TO the conem
pation OF the solemn scenes OF death. vi those who
have been associated with here during that bret PERIOD
no less Than nine have passed TO their na account The
most disng minds OF the land--l might well say
OF the world-have been removed from US by the hand
of death TIER wisdom to counsel-iher cloQuence 10
lnspreve only in the history OF the past IL seems TO
me that ever there body oil men taught by the adj
monitons oil all wise Providence the utter emptiness
OF the highest earthly places OF honor and trus thai
body the Senate of the United States While the path
way Of death has been ihronged by our feowcountry
men who have conferred upon us the high pa( es we &C.
cupy that dark pathway has also been od by unpre
cedented number OF associates all Fastening 10 and
ningling together in the common resting placehe
grave.
The last on The catalogue OF the faed number Of our
associates my esteemed and amen,ed friend and col
league, CHARLES GORDON ArHERToN who AT the time OF
his recent death member of this holy from the
State OF New Hampshire He died suddenly at Manches
ter in that State, the 18Th OF November last OF para
yss On the morning OF the 10th he came into the court
room in that city, where he had been actively and aber-
ously engaged two three weeks IN lie discharge
of professional duties, apparently full oil health ami
spirits any OF now enjoy and with the brightest
prospects Of useful and distinguished future. Soon at
ter coming into the court, while conyersing with mem
her OF the bar his coun,eBance suddenly changed and
his tongue refused its ulterance His lef, SIDE par
ayzed. He was Immediately removed 10 bis lodgings.
and the abiest medical aud procured During The remain
der OF that day Thursday and the next he seemed fully
conscious OF his condition, and communicated with his
friends; but on Saturday he sank into of uncon
seriousness, from which he never awoke but continued
sink gradually under the force Of the attack until
Tuesday the 18Th, at o'clock, m, when he brealhed
his last.
Thus, abruptly, has bsen stricken down. IN an unex-
pected moment our late esteemed associate, in the me-
Ildan OF physical and intellectual manhood
He left us at the close of the last special session with
Weounded expectations OF being here TO- day as any
member OF this body; but alas that las been va
Gated How suddenly does Providence by his inscru,a
BILE DEGREES blast fondest au,Icpaons and teach
the OF mans esae,he true We, frail tenure
OF all earthly honor and station, and OF lie itself In
deed, what all these but empty inheritance except
far they made subservieut to individual and the
public prosperi'y-to the happiness and permanent good
OF the race
Mr.. ArHERroN left no children. His paens, indeed
the whole OF his fathers family had gone before him
the tomb Nevertheless, he died amid a Lfge circle OF
ardent and cherished friends, who sincerely mourn his
death. lie was descended from ancestors listing ushed
the history of his State His grandfather Joshua Ath-
ero6, was lawyer OF much eminence and settled early
at Amherst, shire town in Hiiisborough countywas
member OF the convection which ratified The constitution
OF the United States, and subsequently senator and at
!orney general OF New Hampshire His father Charles
II. Aiheon, was also hoToug bly, read and accomplished
lawyer, man OF brilliant genius, and fine orator. He
was frequently member Of the State legislature, and
member OF the House OF Representatives the Fourteenth
Congress.
The subject OF my presen, remarks was born at Am
heTst liillsoooush county, New Hampshire, the resi-.
dence OF his father and grandfather the Alb day OF
July, 1904. He exhibited al very early age stroag
taste for classic literature and capacity 10 MASTER with
remarkable quickness and ease, ihe fundamental elc.
ments OF CLASSIC and liberal education He entered
Cambridge University IN 1885, being then only fourteen
years OF age, and graduated in 1922, beloved and
esteemed both by the faculty and his iellows,udens
hts college life was exemplary, and his standing
scholar was among the FIRST OF his class
Alter leaving college he studied law the Office OF his
iaher and was admitted 10 the bar at the age Of twenty
one years, and established himself his profession at
Nashau IN his native county, where he resided until his
recent tealh.
Mr.. ATHEsTos bad been much in public life-a cir
cumsance showing better pe haps than any 9th er les
The high estimation IN when he was held for fidelity and
capacity by The people OF his State In 1880 he was
chosen member OF the legislature, and in 1881 he was
elected secretary oil the senate. He again chosen
member oil the legislature IN 1888 and continued member
unul 1885, and was the speaker OF the house OF repre-
ssnauyes Tor three successive years He member
OF the House of OF The United States for
Tue twenty nun, twenty slxth and Twenty. seventh
Congresses In lss2 he chosen by the legislature of
New Hampshire member OF this body for the term Of
SIX years. Alter having served out his Term, he retired
from public life and resumed the practice his profess
SION. la lo39 he elected 10 the convention lied to
revise the constitution OF New Hampshire In 1852 be
was again elected TO represent his Safe in the Senate
OF The United States for SIX years, and took his seat
here on the Alb of March last. From the tasks of
the schoo-room TO the high duties OF a senator, he
we'll and ably acted his part. As a scholar, he was
thorough, enthusiastic, and accomplished As law
yer, master in the profession, quick OF perception.
yet ways safe and judlcous counsel As dvocate
foteible and logical, oenmes soaring into the highest
regions OF forensic eloquence As a statesman, he was
fearless and Just, enlightened and able While tenacious
OF the interest oil bis own immediate constituents. he
always liberal and Just towards the interests of every
other section OF The country, taking the constitution
the great chart 10 guide and limit his action. As pa
rio hts views were as broad the confedefacy, adhe
ring with niexble rmness to hose conservative aud
constitutional principles which secure to every section of
our common country the rights peculiar TO each He
knowledged no political law higher more sacred for
his rule OF conduct here than that sacred instrument
which we are all sworn 10 support Asa friend. he was
ever faithful and true.
The death OF such man is no, merely sad bereave-
ment 10 the State whose immediate representative he
was but calamity coextensve with the Union, reach
ing az deep as the foundation OF those great principles of
republican liberty which prosperity and happiness.
~ a united people depend.
This ameniable event again teaches us The all. i'm
poranl and solemn lesson TO be "aso ready" for we
know not the moment when we, too, shall be called 10
our FINAL account
Sir, while we, in common with his numerous friends
lament his death, let not forget that there il one OF his
can only sympaihize the loved and chosen part
Der OF his youihtbe amsbe and accomplished compan.
ion OF bis maturer mnshood-who with stricken heart
and soothing care that none bu, can bestow,