The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-12-09
In CONGRESS OF THE U. STATES.
THURSDAY. DECEMBER s. 1858.


Mm SENATE.
The PRESIDENT pro TEN. appointed Messrs Fws.
SHIELDS. SUMNER HAMLis, and bkHJAMIN as the select
committee consider the and extent Of lhs SICK
and mortality prevailing board The emsran ships
ON the voyage to this country
that the Senate adjourn to-day, il adjourn to meet
Monday think this course is necessary in
der enable the members OF the Senate to prepare them
selves for the formation Of committees, and 10 make
their arrangements for winter quarters.
The question being put. the motion was agreed to-
e WILLIAM Il. sf@
Mr. HUNTER Since the adjournment of the last
Congress event has occurred which i becomes US to
notice The American people have lost Vice President
and the Senate presiding olcer, by the death OF WILL
LIAM r. KING, who departed this life on the OF April
last, his home in the Stale OF Alabama rise 10 ask
Ina, we may pause for day al least ia our deliberations
upon the affairs OF lie, to devote II TO the memory OF
who bound to US by many personal and official
ties. Surely, there none within The limits 81 this
widespread conederacy, TO whom the life and services
Of WILLIAM X. KING known. who would not b.
ready with Offering. either Of public respect per-
sonal affection, TO beslow upon his tomb. There have
been few pubic men, whose lives have been long and
active his. who have made friends, and none.
am sure ever LETT fewer enemies. Nor was bis one Of
those cold and lmpasslve characters which shed their
light without heat. but its kindly influences Tell with
genial and friendly warmth within whatever circle he
a gat move. 8ts95
is happy thing for country when The lives oil lis
public men may be thrown freely open to The world and
challenge its closest scrutiny, with consciousness on
the part of the friendly critic that there is bio, be
concealed aud no garng fault which love OF truth for
bids him 10 deny, and his OF right scarcely
allows him 10 pallias Here least. is public man. in
whose lie there be found instance Of mean
equyocang action, of departure from the sell
imposed restraints OF refined and lofty OF honor,
and none in which either the tear Of the eeduc
nons OF ambition tempted him TO deed which could
destroy either his SELF respect, The respect Of
others for him. He rod difficult and devious paths
70 political pefemen' long and successfully and yet be
kept his robes unsOled by the vile Dire which often
pollutes those ways II is said that the story OF every
numan life i rightly told. may conveys useful lesson
10 those who survive. OF all The public whom
have known, there whose lives teach more m.
pressivey the great moral OF The strength which public
virtue gives than thatiol Colonel KING His was in
stance which greatness achieved without the aid
OF those brilliant qualities whose assemblage the
world calls genius but, by what is better far sound
Judgment iesolutc purpose 10 pursue the right and
capacity TO gather wisdom IRON experiences
lie was no orator, and yet from the force OF char.
acler he could wieid influence which mere oraory
never commanded, He had none OF that prssumpuous
self confidence which often msleads ourselves and
others and which, though dangerous. is still command
ing quaiy but he knew how TO inspire people with
Just confidence in the soundness Of his Judgment and the
INTEGRITY Of his purpose, to be looked TO sais
del ,osi,Ory Of trust and power. A I'll
Although gentle and kind in his. intercourse with
hes, he could be stern enough when the public inter
or his personal honor required it. He was man.
whose whole soul would have sckened under
| OF personal dishonor. as9 81
II surprising them that each step in the political
career OF SUCH man should have been crowned with
public honos. AT the age OF twenty he elected
TO The legislature OF North Caroline, his native State
pacity he acted until he twenty-five years OF age
when he sent 10 the House OF Representatives OF the
United States where be served from 1911 to 1915, when
he resigned TO 20 abroad as secretary OF legation 10 Mr.
Pnckney, our minister 10 Russia. Upon his return be emf
grated to Alabama, where he was almost Immediately
sent to their constitutional convention.
And at The first session OF The frst legislature which
assembled afterwards, he the Senate Of ,he
United States from the State Of Alabama, where be may
De said 10 have served continuously until his election 10
The Vice Presidency with the exception OF TWO years,
when be minister TO France. Finally. he elect
ed the Wee President OF the United States by large
loriIy OF the American people As he ascended step BY
step 10 this elevation. bis vision seemed 10 grow with hs
horizon, and when The occasion he always
found equal 10 IL for, TO the aid OF sound judgment
perence.
His political career may be said TO have been one tn
umphsnt march through ite-a march in which his s,ep
neither faered stumbled IN ascending tina, place
which was perhaps the chief object OF bis aspiration
And yet 10 show that the successful of
men must later feel the empoess OF the earth
~ objects OF our usual purssi. that much priced honor
was TO him The Dead fruit which turns 10 ashes on
the lips. II came, but II too lalc The breath OF
public applause could not revive the flame which flicker
ed in the lamp OF lite In vain did the assduy OF ela
ves and friends surround him with aectioDafe In
vain did the aspirations OF whole people ascend to
Heaven for his recovery The bamy influences OF neither
sky could revive or restore him. When the pub
lie TO clothe him with the forms OF Of
nee, his Chief earthly wish was to his home
and in the midst OF familisr scenes, die amongst
bis friends: His desire Gsati6ed Life and busy
scenes this aide the grave cosed him for.
ever But It's tale yet remains 10 be told-not by me-
or At this tmebat will Be told in The chrosicles OF
his State hereafter. when il may become labor OF love
TO OF her write ihs story OF lis founders
sages. IL will be told in our own political history by
whoever may portray the strrlng and evenu scenes in
which he aced prominent and aseiuI part. Ii will be
told loo, and perhaps hestd with most interest 10 the
traditions OF Ianily Of which he the ornament and
prize.
Mr. President. those 10 whom our people have been
long accustomed 10 look times OF difficulty and
gency for counsel and opinion, falling fast around
u 10 an anxious thing 10 feel their loss at time like
this, pregnant with change, and eemins, perhaps with
but lei preserve their memories, let study Their
teachings. and il will be well n. IN many respects
shall follow their examples.
oder the following resolution
Resorsd That from respect TO tho late WILLIAM r. KNo
Vice Pfcrdent OF the uned and President the
senate, the chair OF the President oil Senate be shrouded
with black aud, further rsumony Of the
memory OF The deceased, tie members OF the Senate will
go into mourning by wearing Grape heir lett for
thirty days.
Ordered. That the Secretary OF the Senate communicate
this resolution to the House 81 Representatives.
Mr. EVERETT. Mr.. President, have been requested
10 second the motion which has Just been made by the
senator from Virginia. do with great eheerfulness
u was good fortune TO enjoy the scqusnance OF the
lac Vice President-l hope. portion Of his
friendly regard-ior longer period probably than most
thirty years. Such being the csse feel a. IL ous BIT
TO rsmsn silent Al this last moment when our relations
10 him members Of this Senate are by the perform
anos OF this days melancholy Duty about be closed
forever. .a
There " an ancient maxim, air. founded n once in
justice and right feeling which bids "say nothing but
what good OF the dead" can obey this rule in relief