Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-29
gotal ann 9trsonaI.
The Rev. WIN. u. MIIlburn, Yesterday de- |

OF the HON. brookins CampDen, In the hall oil hep-
resentatves. Beside the attendance of members
of both branches Of Congress- the President of the
United States and his Cabinet, the chief justice
and associate justices of the Supreme Court Of
the United States, and other distinguished gentle
men, the galleries were filled with spectators OF
the solemn scene.
The reverend gentleman, in his opening, said
that at no time was death SO appalling as in the
midst of festivty and mirh The darkness of the
grave sent its shadows into the sanctuaries where
we have prayed for light to dwell. In this jubi-
liant season, all are thus reminded that we are
mortal and shall return TO dust, and that 81 the
places which now know us will know us no more
forever"
II was not for him to eulogize the deceased ;
the words of panegyric best became the lips Of
those who shared with the departed the duties i'm
posed upon them by their commonwealth. twas
for his surviving colleagues TO speak his praise
and tell his fellows and the country how noble he
was, and how worthy of the distinguished posi-
ton now vacant.
His was a more arduous and solemn task.
There Were no sorrowing, mourning relatives
here, 10 whom he could address words of sympa-
-
the Christian religion, but there are now present
in whose nature are sown the seeds of death; and
10 them he would read lesson from Gods re-
vealed wisdom.
We are not he insisted, simple ofsprings ofthe
dust. While one side Of our nature is doomed 10
earth, "ashes TO ashes" the other claims compan-
ionshp with the Divine Being by the strongest
bonds. There is only one thing in man that can
be pure, and that is character; not accidental or
gratutous character, but that which seeks to as
certain Gods law and yield allegiance tot the
principle endeavoring TO learn the right, the true
and the good, and maintaining them through aevil
as well as good report" II is sensbilty, delicate
as the beauty Of womanhood yet strong as man
hood and tender as childhood. The pomp of pub
lie station, the lusre Of distinction the trumpet
tones of renown-all these are to pass away; and
the subjects Of mortal fame to sink into the grave.
The old precept is, !" If you would be high, aim
higher" or in the language of more comprehen-
sve adage, Gin order for men to have noble
character they should have noble conception Of
character"
1t is said the lawyers practice furnishes the
meanest and darkest side of human nature and
this cannot be said of the lawyer with more JUS
lice than of the legislator. You are constantly
surrounded by mean and fawning suppliants; you
are so constantly brought in sight Of the contemp
tible and degraded-men who will sell their con-
seriousness Of rectitude, and barterthc uprghtness
of their nature for mere place and favor, and you
see men suing for favor in an attitude only due 10
God You hold your places by the popular favor
While many men would stand unmoved in the
presence Of the. enthroned monarch, they would
lick the dust in the presence OF 'the Million
Simply and meanly they bow before the masses,
and pronounce their behests the very dictates OF
the gods. They are, therefore, in danger of con-
founding selfaggrandzement with patriotism; to
think the advancement of mere men and party
the good of the country, and the destiny of the
world.
II is hard for man 10 clear himself OF the mist
around him. 1t is hard for men in your position
10 form and venerate high conception of human
character But amid the scenes where the laws
are administered, in the pursuits of active life, It
is for you to form character and TO act like men,
The laws which invest character are as absolute
and changeless as those which guide the stars in
their course. No liar, cheat, ntriguer or trucker
or base-mnded coward, can ever stand in the
presence Of God unawed.
We rest on the basis Of retribution. You will
pass away, and the places which now know you
will know you no more forever Then, in the
spirit of patriotism and harmonious brotherhood,
be willing to make allowances for differences OF
individual opinion, harmonic discrepancies, and
so labor that all may be worthily accounted the
children of a common Father. There is nothing
that can aid you rightly, and guide and sustain
you, but the grace Of God-your heavenly Parent
given though Christ Jesus, his Son. In the
spirit Of faith in the atonement, in the attitude
Of prayer bend before Him in the silence and soil
tude of your closet; with your eye fixed on the
Father Of Lights" go there, We men of office,
place, and responsibility, and you shall find the
strength necessary for the pursuit of duty Living
right, no man need fear the grave. Death TO him
will be but the messenger from the Father. Let
these thoughts be with you to-day. As you bear
this dust before you TO its final resting place, and
sorrow over the departed, bear with you this, like
wise: that character is your only treasure, and
Christianity only is worth the asking and worth
the having
The above is a mere outline of the reverend
gentlemans remarks, which were listened 10
throughout with solemn attention.
The Late Brookins Campbell.-We learn
that the Hon. Messrs. Smith and Churchwell, Of
Tennessee, Mr. Glossbrenner, uhe sergeant-at-
arms Of the House Of Representatives, together
with Messrs. Charles W. Stuart and M. French,
employees of the House, and Mr.. White, the I'M
dertaker, last night left the city in the southern
boat, in charge ofthe body the late Hon. Brook
ms Campbell, they having been assigned the mel
ancholy duty of accompanying the corpse to the
former residence of the deceased, in the State Of
Tennessee.
The washington and Georgetown Aque-
duct.-We learn from the Daily Globe, that the
work upon this important structure, which is de-
signed TO suppy.our two cities with an nnfailing
and perpetual supply of pure water, is progressing
with vigor A force Of two hundred and twenty
laborers is now employed About mile Of the
channel for the conduit has been opened, and one