Washington sentinel., 1853-12-09
G0narfssional.
THIRTY-THIRD CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.

TAIhTx-THIHD CON6AESSs
FIRST SESSION.
senate--Thursday, December 9, 1853.
On motion of Mr.. JONES, Of Iowa, il was or
dered that, when the Senate adjourn, il adjourn
till Monday.
DEATH OF THE VICE PRESIDENT.
Mr.. HUNTER. Since the adjournment of the
last Congress- an event has occurred which II be-
comes us TO notice. The American people have
lost Vice President and the Senate presiding
offcer, by the death of WILLIAM X. KING, who de-
parted this life on the of April last al his home
IN the State OF Alabama. / rise TO ask that we
may pause for day at least in our deliberations
upon the affairs of life, to devote it to the memory
Oh one who was bound to us by so many personal
and official ties Surely, sir there are none within
the limits Of this widespread confederacy TO whom
the HE and services of WILLIAM Il. KING are
known, who would not be ready with some offer
ing, either Of public respect or personal affection,
10 bestow upon his tomb There have been few
public men, whose lives have been as long and as
active as his, who have made more friends, and
none, am sure, ever left fewer enemies. Nor
was his one of those cold and impassve charac-
ters which shed their light without heat, but its
kindly influences fell with genial and friendly
warmth within whatever circle he might move.
II Is happy thing for country when the lives
OF ITS public men may be thrown freely open TO
the world, and challenge its closest scrutiny with
that there is no blot TO be concealed, and no glar
ing fault which love Of truth forbids him to deny
and his own sense of right scarcely allows him TO
palliate. Here, at least is public man, in whose
lite there can be found no instance of mean or
equivocating action, none of departure from the
seitimposed restraints of refined and lofty sense
OF honor, and none in which either the fear of
man or the seductions of ambition tempted him
TO a deed which conld destroy either his own self
respect or the respect of others for him. He trod
The difficult and devious paths to political prefer
ment long and successfully, and yet he kept his
robes unsoiled by the vile mire which so often pol
lutes those ways. is said that the story of every
human life, if rightly told, may convey useful
lesson TO those who survive OF all the public
men whom have known, there are none whose
lives teach more impressvely the great moral of
the strength which public virtue gives than that
OF Colonel KING. His was an instance in which
greatness was achieved without the aid Of those
brilliant qualities whose assemblage the world
calls genius, but by what is better far, a sound
judgment, resolute purpose TO pursue the right
and capacity TO gather wisdom from experience.
He was no orator. and yet from the force of cha
racter, he could WELD an influence which mere
oratory never commanded. He had none of that
presumptuous sef-confdence which so often mis-
leads ourselves aud others, and which, though a
dangerous, is still commanding quality; but he
knew how TO inspire people with Just conf
dence IN the soundness of his judgment and the
integrity OF his purpose, so as to be looked to as
a safe depostary of trust and power.
Although gentle and kind in his intercourse with
others, ne could be stern enough when the public
interests or his personal honor required it, He
was man, sir, whose whole soul would have
sickened under q sense of personal dishonor
II is not surprising, then, that each step in the
political career OF such man should have been
crowned with public honors. AT the age oftwenty-
one he was elected to the legislature of North
Carolina, his native State, where he served until he
was made solicitor In that capacity he acted until
he was twenty-five years of age, when he was
sent to the House of Representatives of the Uni
ted States, where he served from 1911 TO 1916,
when he resigned to go abroad as secretary of
legation to Mr.. Pinckney, our minister to Rus
sia. Upon his return he emigrated to Alabama,
where he was almost Immediately sent 10 their
convention.
And at the first session Of the first legislature
which assembled afterwards, he was sent to the
Senate of the Unied States from the State of
Alabama, where he may be said to have served
continuously until his election to the Vice Presi-
tency with the exception of two years. when he
was minister to France. Finally he was elected
he Vice President of the United States, by large
majority Of the American people. As he ascended
step by step to this elevation his vision seemed to
grow with his horizon, and when the occasion
came he was always found equalto it. For, to the
aid ofa sound judgment, he brought as he grew
older, the wisdom of large experience.
His political career may be said TO have been
one triumphant march through life, a march in
which his step neither faltered nor stumbled, in
ascending to that place, which was perhaps, the
chief object of his aspiration. And yet as if 10
show that even the most successful of men must
sooner or later feel the emptiness of the earthly
objects OF our usual pursuit. that much-prized honor
was to him the Dead Sea fruit which turns to ashes
on the lips. II came, but it came too late. The
breath OF public applause could not revive the
flame which fickered in the lamp of life. In vain
did the assduity Of relatives and friends sur
md a.
The aspirations Of a whole people ascend TO
heaven for his recovery. The balmy influences of
neither sea nor sky could revive or restore him.
When the public messenger came to clothe him
with the forms Of Office his chief earthly wish was
70 see his home once more and in the midst Of fa-
miiar scenes 10 die amongst his friends. His de-
sire was gratifed. Life and its busy scenes on
his side the grave are now closed on him forever.
But its tale yet remains to be told. Not by me- sir
or at this time But it will be told in the chroni-
,les OF his State hereafter, when it may become a
abor of love to some OF her sons to write the story
'f its founders and sages. II will be told in our
own political history by whoever may portray the
stirring and eventful scenes in which he acted
prominent and useful part. II will be told, too and
perhaps heard, with most interest in the traditions
'f family of which he was the ornament and
,ride.
Mr.. President, those to whom our people have
'een long accustomed to look in times Of difficulty
md emergency for counsel and opinion, are fall
ng fast around us. 1t is anxious thing TO feel
heir loss at a period like this, pregnant with
'hange, and teeming, perhaps, with great and
strange events. The men we cannot recall but
ct us preserve their memories; let study their
eachngs, and it II be well if, in many respects,
We shall follow their examples.
offer the following resolution:
Resolved, That from respect to the late WILLIAM R. |
kNa Vice President Of the United States President
the Senate the chair Of the President Of the Senate
hrouded with black; and, further Testimony Of re-
pect TO the memory Of the deceased the members
enats will go into mourning by wearing Grape their
eft arm for thirty days.
Ordered That the Secretary Of the SENATE communicate
his resolution to the House Of Representatives.
Mr.. EVERETT. Mr.. President / have been |
TO second the motion which has Just |
'een made by the senator from Virginia. do SO |
With great cheerfulness. II was my good fortune |
o ENJOY the acquaintance of the late Vice Presi- |
lent hope, even some portion of his friendly |
egard-for longer period probably than most |
u those within the sound of my voice-a period |
u nearly thirty years. Such being the case, l |
eel as If ought not TO remain silent at this last
when our relations to him as members |
y this Senate are, by the performance of this |
lays melancholy duty, about 10 be closed forever