Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-12-24
THIRTY-THIRD CONGRESS.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1858.
IN SENATE.

JAMIN FITZPATRICK elected Senator from me oase u
Alabama by the Legislature Of that State 10 NIL the va
eancy occasoned by the resignation Of the Hon. VIM n
KING which during portion of the last session he nied
by Executive appointment
The oath prescribed by law having been administered
10 Mr. FITZPATRICK, he took his seat In the Senate
DEATH OF THE HON. c. q. ATHERToN
Mr.. NORRIS of New Hampshire, having obtained the
unanimous consent of the Senate introduce resolutions
in relation to the death Of the Hon. CHARLES g. ATHER
TON proceeded to submit few remarks IN connexion
with the subject.
Dnriuc the four years have been hopored with seat
in this chamber said often has the attention of the
Senate been arrested from its ordinary business TO the
contemplation of the solemn scenes Of death or those
who have been associated with here during that brief
perod no less than nine have passed to their hunl &C
count The most distinguished minds Of the land-l
might well say Of the worldhave been removed from
by the hand of death Their wisdom to counsel their
oouence to inspire live only in the history of the past
II seems to me that if there ever body of men
taught by the admonitons of an aws Providence the
utter emptiness of the highest earthly places of honor
and trust that body the Senate OF the United States
While the pathway of death has been thronged by our
fellow countymen who have conferred upon US the high
places occupy that dark pathway has also been trod
by an unprecedented number Of associates ali hast
ening and mingng together IN the same common rest
ing place--the grave
The last the catalogue of the fated number of our
associates was my esteemed and amened friend and col
league Charles Gordon Atherton who the time of hsre
cent DEATH was member of this body from the State of
New Hampshire He died suddenly at Manchester, in
that State the 18th Of November last of paralysis On
the morning Of the 10th he into the courtroom in
that city, where he had been actively and laborously
gagged three weeks in the discharge Of pro-
fessona duties apparently full OF health and spirits
any of enjoy and with the brightest prospects
OF useful and distinguished future Soon after coming
into the court while conversing with member of the
bar his countenance suddenly changed and his tongue
refused its utterance. His left side paralyzed He
was Immediately removed his lodgings, and the ablest
medical aid procured. During the remaidder Of that
and q seemed
his condition, and communicated with his friends but
Saturday he sunk into state Of from
which he awoke, but continued to sink gradually
under the force the attack until Tuesday, the 18TH at
o'clock p NJ, when he breathed his last. Thus abb
rupty has been stricken down in unexpected moment
late esteemed associate in the meridian of physical
and intellectual manhood
He left the close of the last special session with
welfounded expectations Of being here to-day as any
member of this body but alas that seat has been
Gated How suddenly does Providence, by his inscrua-
BILE decrees blast fondest antcpatons and teach
the of mans estate-he true yet ra tenure
of all earthly honor and station and Of life itself In
deed what all these but empty Inheritance,
oept far they made subservent to individual
and the public prospery-o the happiness and perma
nent good of the race
Mr.. Anterior left no children His parents, indeed
the whole Of his fathers family had gone before him to
the tomb Nevertheless, he died amid large circle OF
ardent and cherished friends who sincerely his
death He descended from ancestors distinguished
in the history of his State His grandfather, Joshua
Anterior, lawyer OF much emnence, and settled
early at Amherst, shire town in Hlsborough county
member Of the Convention which ratified the Con-
stituton of the United States and subsequently Sena
tor and Attorney General of New Hampshire. His ia
ther, Charles H. Anterior, also Thoroughbred
and accomplished lawyer, man of brilliant genius, apd
fine He frequently member of the State
Legislature and member of the House Of Representa-
tves in the 14th Congress.
The subject Of my present remarks was born at Am
herst, Hilsborough county, New hampshire the resi-
dence of his father and grandfather on the 4h day of
July, 1904 He exhibited, at very early age strong
taste for classic literature and capacity TO master, with
remarkable quckness and ease, the fundamental ee-
ments of classic and liberal education He entered
Cambridge University in 1915 being then only fourteen
years Of age and was graduated in 1922 beloved and
esteemed both by the faculty and his feowstudents
His college life was exemplary, and his standing as
scholar was among the first of his class.
After leaving college he studied law in the Office Of his
father and admitted to the bar at the age of twenty
years, and established himself in his profession at
Nashua, in his native county, where ne resided until his
recent death.
Mr. Anterior has been much in public life, a circum-
showing better perhaps than any other test the
high estimation in which he held for fidelity and
pacy by the people Of his State In 1880 he chosen
member Of the Legislature and in 1881 he elected
Secretary of the Senate He again chosen member
of the Legislature in 1885, and continued member until
1885, and the Speaker of the House Of Representa-
tves for three successive years. he was member OF
the House Of Representatives Of the United States for the
Twenty-ffth Twsnty-sixth, and Twenty Con-
crosses In 1872 he chosen by the Legislature Of
New Hampshire member Of this body for the term of
six years After having served his term, he retired
from public life and resumed the practice of his profess
sion In 1850 he elected to the Convention called to
revise the Constitution of New Hampshire. In 1852 he
again elected to represent his State in the Senate Of
the United States for years. and took his here
the 4th of March last.
From the tasks of the school-room the high duties
Senator he well and ably acted his part As scholar
he was thorough, enthusiastic, and accomplished As
lawyer, master in the profession, quick Of perception
yet always safe and judicious in counsel As advo-
cate, forcibe ard logical oftentimes soaring into the
highest regions of forensic eloquence As statesman
he fearless and just enlightened and able While
tenacious of the interest Of his immediate consu
ens he always liberal and just towards the interests
of every other section of the country, taking the cons
tuition the great chart guide and limit his action
As q patriot his views broad the Confederacy
adherng with infe1ble hrmness to those conservative
and constitutional principles which secure every
ton Of country the rights peculiar to each
He acknowledged political law high sacred
which all to support. As friend, he
ever faithful and true.
The death Of such a is not merely a sad bereaye-
m mt the State whose immediate representative he
was but calamity coextensive with the Union reach
ing deep the foundation Of those great principles
republican liberty which prosperity aud hsppi-
ness q united people depend.
This lamentable event again teaches the allimpor-
and solemn lesson to be also ready" for know
the moment when too shall be called TO our final
account.
Sir while we, in common with his numerous friends,
lament his DEATH let not forget that there is Of
his immediate family circle left behind with whom
we can only sympathize. mean the loved and chosen
partner of his youththe smiable and accomplished com
panion Of his manhood-vho with stricken heart
and a soothing care that but woman can bestow,
watched with anxious soictude the Rul pulsntons Of