Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-06-10
FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 1854.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

was referred to the Committee Of Ways and Means and
ordered to be printed.
Also, communication from the Secretary Of State OF
New Mexico, transmitting in pursuance OF law two
copies Of the laws passed By the Legislative Assembly OF
that Territory its last session. which was referred to
the Committee on Territories
DEATH OF MIR. sNoDGRAss.
Mr.. FAULKNER then rose and addressed the House
as follows:
Mr.. Speaker at the request Of some of my colleagues
and with the concurrence Of oil Of them, rise to dis
charge the melancholy office of announcing this House
the death OF Hon. JOHN FRYArT SNopGRAss, late Rep
resenatye In Congress from the eleventh district Of Vr
gina. This painful and unexpected occurred in
Petersburg, Monday, the 9th day of the present
month"; it is said while engaged in the trial of impor
tant in court The deceased left this city the
evening of the 30th of May 10 pay brief visit his
family and to attend of the Of his district
He babe adeu that day all human eyes, certainly
to mine in better condition Of bodily health than he
had at any time enjoyed since he first assumed to dig
charge his duties in this hall This was subject of re-
mark and congratulaton both by himself and friends
that day. And yet in the brief space of week. we
shocked by the intelligence that he had con-
buted another trophy to the remorseless riumphs of
the grave.
This, Mr.. Speaker is the fifth occasion since the COM
mencement Of the present session Of Congress that
surviving member of this body has been called upon to
perform that duty which have risen discharge my
departed friend King, Anterior, Campbell, Mullen
berg and Snodgrass have all in the brief period Of few
months passed from the fretfu scenes of public life leav
ing nothing behind them but the memory Of their vrtuous
deeds The North and the South the East and the West
have each in their turn been called upon contribute
victim to the destroyer Of race and to mngle
their grefs at the fall of lofty column that graced
this temple of representative freedom Sir have in
all this much to admonish Of the vanity and emptiness
OF all human honors and Of oil earthly ASPIRATIONS
much to bring with impressive force to minds what
shadows we and what shadows pursue" and to
chasten thoughts for higher purer, and more per-
manent inheritance in regions beyond the grave.
Mr.. F. after further remarks upon the public
~ he
lowing resolutions:
Resolved That the House has heard with deep regret the
of the death of the Hon. JOHN FRYAr SsoD
GRASS, member of the present Congress- and, from
sincere desire of showing every mark of respect due h
memory, will wear Grape on tho left arm for thirty days
municate copy Of these proceedings to the family
and that further mark of respect this House DO
now adjourn.
Mr.. LETCHER said The cordial intimacy and sincere
friendship and confidence which has existed between my
amented colleague and myself will prove sufficient
cuse if indeed any be necessary, for adding few
marks to the eloquent appropriate and deserved tribute
which has been paid to his character and his virtues
Our acquaintance commenced in the year 1885, when
met in Richmond to enter upon the discharge OF the
important public duties which had been assigned to
members of the Virginia Reform Convention In that
body, in this, side by side there, here.
formed part Of the mess and the acquaintance then
formed ripeHed into intimacy and cordial friend
ship that has strengthened with each successive
The sad Of the death Of colleague came upon
oil most unexpectedly Though he had been in ill
health for time past yet he had recently improved
rapidly that cherished the agreeable hope that he
would be restored, and that his friends and family
and country would enjoy the benefit Of his sound udg
ment and practical wisdom for years to When he
left this city, the Both of May know he fondly anti
cipated speedy restoration to health and early
turn to his public duties with renewed vgor. When
parted it occurred to neither Of that it final
paration in this world. There buoyancy Of spirits
and gaiey and sprghtlness in his and CONVEX
saton that had rarely seen him exhibit before in
In Little did then think that these ndiCa-
tons the bright flashes Of light to be
tngushed in death. But alasa such they were.
Hewas man Of great purity Ct character and single
Of purpose There nothing Of that selfshness
and cold calculation about him which is Often too ofen
visible in the conduct of the public of day and
generation Principle the chart which regulated and
governed his conduct and controlled his action No man.
either in his public private action less Influenced
by what the cold selfish, and calculating world has been
pleased to designate as expediency or policy.
Among all my friends there not who possessed
nobler traits of character. He of generous
and manly impulses the sternest integrity personal pro-
fessiona and political In his friendships he ardent
faithful and sincere. In all the relations of life, cit
zen husband parent no was true man, scrupulously
exact in the discharge of the obligations due to his
try, and the duties due to family friends, and neghbors
He enjoyed in most remarkable degree the confidence
respect and esteem of all who knew him. and particu
lary Of that community in which he lived is srkngy
illustrated in his professional and political He
has believe been candidate for Office without
being successful.
feel that have lost devoted friend, whose conf
dence enjoyed, and whose sound judgment and practi
cal advice have often been of the service to in
times of trial and embarrassment No regret
his death sincerely than do and outside Of
his immediate family circle will feel his loss sensi
bly,. But he is gone, and we must bow in humble sub
mission that Providence which dposes all things wisely
and we'll .,'|
This sudden and death Of universally
esteemed should admonish of the uncertainty of life
and should lead our minds to solemn reflections.
Passing array" is written in strong and egble cha
upon the world and all the world contains Look
around o and wheresoever the eye rests those startling
words attract the vision and admonsh that his days
few We generation follow generation in the sad
and solemn march to the tomb How quickly, how un-
expectedy, the spell is dissolved that binds to those
love- respect and admire for their virtues their in
telgence, their patriotism The beauties of the year
fade and its bounties perish The oveest of
ture lose their power to charm and to delight The re-
gons of away and succeeded by others
entirely different in character, in FORM and in belief
The human governments Of one day are exploded by
others in rapid succession
" Like bubbles tho of matter borne,
Il They rise, they break, and to that sea return
We feel therefore, that those solemn words passing
array" stamped with fearful disnctness upon every
thing around and upon all Of u.s. Each day impresses
upon minds the stern reality that there is but step
between and the yet we live, we move we act
If the services in which busy engaged
to have end We stand upon the grave OF
fellow and yet not to realize the great truth
that we too must in brief space sumber beneath the
same sod.
Let u.s. then strive to profit by which the sad
sudden and solemn death Of colleague teaches Let
it admonish