The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-06-13
CONGRESS OF THE u. STATES.
Thirty Third Congress-First Session.
MONDAY, JUNE IL, 1854.
avsSH
SENATE.
John y. sSoDGRAss.

message received from the House of Representa-
tives by Mr. Forney their Clerk announcing 10 the Sen
ate the death of the Hon. John f. Snodgrass member of
the House from the State of Virginia and communicating
the proceedings Of the House thereon The resolutions
adopted by the House having been read
Mr. MASON said: discharge melancholy Office, Mr..
President asking the Senate to unite with the
tomary resolutions Of respect to the memory colleague
whose death has just been announced from the House OF
Representatives.
! Truly cannot tell what day may bring forth But
little more than one week ago, when the two houses
70 be for few days recess deceased colleague took
las all then belicYed short leave Of his friends avail
ing himself OF that interval for brief visit 10 his home in
Virginia His health, somewhat nfrm in later years,
70 have been regeneratc with the advancing spring,
aud he lct bucyant with hope and rejoicing In The
prospect or speedy reunion with those he loved best
erthhis wife and infant children He but lived to reach
his distant home and once more to bless them with his
presence
Death nexorabe creditor of all that live sped with him
on this his last journey carthPalda eqno ped
pulsa YET how grateful is the recollection to those who
survive that he 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
SNoDGRA represented the eleventh congressional
district of Virginia in the House Of Representatives
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 Par
kersburg, in the county of Wood
His family are well known to me in his native county,
occupying and cultvatng their ancestral farms of
than century, among the most respectable and respected
OF those whose occupation develops the full dignity Of man
in social posonthose who plough aud till the soil that it
may bring forth the fruits OF the earth the immediate
almoncrs Of the Deity who has chosen and sent them forth
as the true benefact0rs of their race for who does not
feel with Englands gifted philosopher when he gave il for
his opinion that whoever could make two Of
or two blades OF grass to grow upon spot of ground
where only grew before would deserve better Of
kind and do essential service to his country than the
whole race of politicians put together
Educated for the bar Mr.. SSoDGnAss to emil
nence in his profession sustained and borne forward to
success by diligence labor, and spotless integrity.
/
fore he sought his home in the West but his progress
and advancement there were marked by those from among
whom he had gone forth to the world The charm OF life
to him was in private station.
It would seem from his that public employment
with all its seductions for many had few attractions for
him. have been informed that he candidate
for Office in its proper yet he Of fixed and
stable opinion on the great OF policy which d
vide che parties of the counrya republican of that DEM
ocratic school instituted by Jefferson, and in which Henry
Wythe Roane and other home-bred statesmen of Virginia
were the illustrous teachers
At the solicitation Of his friends and neigbors he rep
resented them for the first time in the convention OF the
State called 10 revise the constitution of Virginia. in 1850
OF that body he what is usually termed silent men,
ber with the tppant perhaps designation of dsparage
ment yet Jefferson whose commanding intellect moulded
and gave being to all the great institutions of popular
government was himself always silent member, too 1t
is said think of Mr. Jefferson that the greatest
question before him, he seldom made speech exceeding
four minutes in duration Fortunate in plain and sensi
BILE mind not mustered with the results Of reading and
hecton my deceased friend and colleague Of those
who thought ii safer and perhaps not less scemy 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 unsolicited his part
he was returned to serve in the House of Representatives
the present Congress- and here after interval Of
twenty years bad the good fortune my acquaint
ance with him.
He warm, liberal and confding friend, sound,
udicious and informed statesman, and, above all up
/ right and honest man
| offer, sir, the following resolutions:
Rored That the Senate receives with sincere regret the
announcement Of the death of the Honorable John Fyatt
Snodgrass late member of the House OF
from the State of Virginia. and tenders the relatives Of the
deceased the of their sympathy with them under
the bereavement they have been called to sustain.
Reoed That the Secretary of the Senate be directed TO
transmit to the family of Mr. Snodgrass certified copy of
the foregoing resolution.
Resoed mark Of respect for the memory of the de-
ceased,) That the Senate do now adjourn.
The resolutions considered by unanimous consent,
and agreed to- and accordingly, the Senate adjourned