Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-06-13
G0ngrfssiOnal.
THiRTY-THIRD CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
senate,-Monday, june I2, 1854


senate-Monday, June I2, 1854.
Prayer by Rev. WILLIAM H. MILBuRN
The journal Of Thursday was read and approved.
MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE.
message was received from the House of Re-
representatives., by Mr.. FoRNEY, their Clerk, an
nouncing that the Speaker had signed The enrolled
bill 10 authorize the selection of school districts,
in lieu OF the sixteenth sections within the twelve
mile square reservations State OF Alabama.
DEATH OF HON. J. y. sSoDGRAss.
The message also communicated TO the Senate
intelligence of the death of Hon. JOHN FRYATr
SNoDGRAss late a member of that House from the
State Of Virginia, and the proceedings OF the House
in relation thereto.
Mr.. MASON. discharge melancholy office,
Mr.. President, in asking the Senate to unite with
me in the customary resolutions OF respect to The
memory Of a colleague, whose death has Just been
announced from the House of Representatives.
Truly we cannot tell what day may bring
forth But little more than one week ago, when
the two Houses were 10 be for few days in re-
cess my deceased colleague took fas all then
believed) short leave of his friends, awaiting
himself of that interval for brief visit to his home
in Virginia His health somewhat infrm in later
years. seemed to have been regenerated with the
advancing spring, and he left us buoyant with
hope, and rejoicing in the prospect of speedy
reunion with those he loved best on earth-his
his distant home, and once more TO bless them
with his presence.
Death inexorable creditor of all who live, sped
with him on this his last journey on earth-Pahida
mors Gqmo peds puIsat Yet how grateful is the
recollection to those who survive, that he was
spared death amongst strangers, and that the
devoted partner Of his life shared his last look in
death.
The subject of this brief tribute, Mr. President,
JOHN FRYATT SNoDGRAss, represented the eleventh
congressional district of Virginia. in the House
of Representatives. A native of the county of
Berkeley, the northern frontier Of the valley Of
Virginia. he had removed in early life to the banks
of the Ohio, and established his home at Parkers-
burg, in the county of Wood
His family are well known to me in his native
county, occupying and cnltivating their ancestral
farms of more than century, among the most
respectable and respected of those, whose occu-
patton develops the full dignity Of man in social
poston-those who plow and till the soil that il
may bring forth the fruits of the earth the imne-
date amoners Of the Deity, who has chosen
and sent them forth the true benefacors of their
race for who does not feel with Engand's gifted
PHILOSOPHER, when he gave it for his opinion
Z that whoever could make two ears Of corn or
two blades ofgrass TO grow upon spot Of ground
where only one grew before, would deserve bet
ter of mankind and do more essential service to
his country than the whole race of politicians put
together.
Educated for the bar, Mr.. SNoDGRAss soon rose
to eminencein his profession. sustained and borne
forward TO success by diligence, labor and spot
less integrity
II was my fortune to have known him in early
life, before he sought his new home in the west,
but his progress and advancement there were
marked BY those from among whom he had gone
forth 10 the world. The charm Of life to him was
in private station
Ii would seem from his career that public en-
ployment, with all its seductons for many. had
few attractions for him. have been informed
that he was never candidate for Office, in its pro-
per sense, yet he was q man OF fixed and stable
opinion on the great Aeasures OF policy which
divide the parties of the country--a republican OF
that democratic school instituted by Jefferson, and
in which Henry, Wythe, Roam, and other home
bred statesmen of Virginia were the illusrious
teachers.
AT the solicitation Of his friends and neighbors
he represented them, for the first time, in the con-
vention the State called 10 revise the constitu-
ton of Virginia, in 1850. Of that body he was
what is usually termed silent member with the
flippant, perhaps designation OF dlsparagement;
vet Jefferson whose commanding Intellect moulded
and gave being to all the great institutions Of our
popular government, was himself always silent
member TOO. 1t is said, think, of Mr. Jefferson,
that, on even the greatest question before him, he
seldom made speech exceeding four minutes in
duration. Fortunate in plain and sensible mind,
not unstored with the results of reading and redec-
ton, my deceased friend and colleague was one OF
those who thought il safer, and perhaps not less
seemly, rather to think and act without talking,
than TO talk and act without thinking
AT the close of the convention, he returned to
the quiet of his unobtrusive life, until again, unso-
cited on his part he was returned to serve in The
House ofRepresentatives ofthe present Congress;
and here after interval of some twenty years,
! had the good fortune TO renew my acquaintance
with him.
He was warm, liberal, and confding friend,
a sound, judcious, and informed statesman, and,
above all, an upright and honest man.
offer, sir the following resolutions:
Resolved That the Senate receives with sincere regret
the announcement Of the death of Hon. JOHN FRYATT
SNoDaRAss late member of the House OF Representa-
the State Of Virginia. and tenders to the rela-
tves Of the of Its sympathy with
them under the bereavement they have been called to
sustain. \. .
Resolved That the Secretary Of the Senate be directed
to transmit to the family of Mr. SHoDGRAss certified copy
Of the foregoing resolution.
Resored as mark Of respect for the memory of the
deceased, that the Senate do now adjourn.
The resolutions unanimously agreed to;
and the Senate adjourned. NJ