The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-12-09


OF his youthful genius the many obstacles in his path
way TO the temple of fame. But | will not detain the
House by pronouncing euogy ON the deceased. That
task belongs properly TO others who can discharged
with ability than command. For him words
Of sympathy praise need be uttered His faith in the
efficacy of medatoral sacrifice cheered his path through
the dark valley Of the shadow OF DEATH and the rod aud
staff OF superna power supported him in the exremes
\ of human suffering.
For us-the livng-it may be proper pause and re-
fleet that We must be summoned before the same
dread tribunal Let us learn from his early fate OF
the ransory and character OF all sublunary
things. Let learn sympathy from the and ai
fetions of others, aud humility from of own
fugitive ate and in the beautiful but mournul language
! OF the poet remem Der that
| 'The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power
And all that beauty, all that wealth e'er gave,
Await alike the inevitable hour
! The paths of glory lead but to the grave"
Mr. Speaker offer the following resolutions, and
their adoption as published in the Union yesterday.
Mr. BRISTOW said Mr.. Speaker, would permit the
outions offered by my colleague in relation the death of
my predecessor pass in silence but my position bis
successor well my feelings, prompt TO add some
remarks feeble tribute to the memory of the departed
Such expression of respect from the Congress OF his
country is august testimonial of their appreciation of
his public worth; but il convey, either to his
tenporaries poseriy adequate idea Of his bright
and gifted intellect or the gay and genial heart that has
vanished forever from this assembly When you separated
but short time since, returned homeward more full
of life and health and hope brighter prospect
turn but while il has been allotted to mature manhood
and old age again in the public councils, the
heart OF the ardent youth to whom you babe farewell is
| stilled forever in death.
| PRESLEY EWING was Kentuckan by birth and educa-
ton. He the eldest of of the most learned
and upright urts Of country His father possessed
the go and enterprise that characterized the early settlers
of the State and attained the highest judicial honor Ken
lucky could besow. His health failed few years since,
under excessive labor for the public; he yet fingers bed
Of action in that condition he looked upon the dead
body of his only child but one and that one delicate
health, had the ortde to sustain and probably proong,
the sinking and wasting life of his aeconate father under
his deep affection The scene of trial In his
|
grief Whose heart cold not vibrae to the chord
of sympathy and coincidence with the afflicted father sur
vivng brother reatons and friends? His estimable, al
ectionae aud intelligent mother bed OF alicton at the
time of the promotion Of her Congress- barely lived
to hear the of his election and TRANQUILITY
left the scenes of mortality His afflicted father may well
say in the language of Job "Oh, that in months
past when the Almighty was yet with me when my chill
dren were about me"
OF two sons who the pride of his declining years
Presley the elder. Endowed with ample gifts by Ma
ture his father secured for him the advantage of liberal
education. The seed barren SOIL but
brought forth abundant harvest His quick and fertile
mind seized the profered opportunities, and while free
from ths ausierities OF scholarship rapidly acquired pre-
eminence the field of intellect natural delicacy of
taste and refinement of sentiment characterized his mind
but did not impair its strength eneebe its vivacity
After the termination of his studies college his powers
of observation and comparison still further cultivated
by European travel and association with men OF intel
ectual Distinction not only in our but foreign coun
| tries.
/ When he returned to his native State the natural bent
of bis genius well the partially of friends caused
him to embark in political lii He returned from his
native county the legislature of the State and there by
his ready powers of debate and his prompt and ready
ceptons marked eminent qualified for parlia
mentry and forensic The sphere of his
reputation enlarged, and Kentucky regarded him
Of those whom her be nrused and
| on whom her future honors were to be bestowed
Four years since when he had scarcely passed the age
requisite for eligibility, Mr. EWING elected TO Congress
4 from the district have the honor to represent He
found himself closely allied in friendship with whose
fostering well formed to give wise and noble d
recon to his youthful ambition The one full OF years,
and dignes and public honor about to close forever
his public life and earthly career the other young
gine and talented about to embark upon the stormy
upon which the first had been tossed short time
elapsed and Henry Clay joined the patriotic band which
has made the republic iilusrious in history few short
years. and his young friend and adheren has followed him
into the dim mansions of the silent land The heart OF
Kentucky is with them both If she remembers with rev
crenal love- the loss the country endured in the death of
the elder statesman in her maternal heart she cannot for
get the brightbaed youth of whom she has been of late
bcrcft in the morning of his promise
The characteristics of the mind of Mr. Ewing pecu
liar His individuality marked and distinct Free
in the realms OF thought hunter in his native forests
no servile imitation enfeebled disbgured his oraor
His mind was clear and vigorous and he possessed strong
powers of analysis His temper for debate admirable
and his gay and genial humor cooled the heat OF party
controversy and enabled him to discuss the most lrrlta
ting topics in such to convert even his adve
sares into friends Generous almost prodigality, and
with the keencst and veies sensibte these qualities
seemed not only mark his character but to ngc his
very thoughts An exubernnt wit, and powerful sense Of
conversation and debate
/ Blended with these attributes strong natural
relish for the beauties of Nature and gift OF pathos
which gave him great attraction popular speaker
He combined in degree the mingled mirth and ten
derncss of Sterne and orator. possessed power
the hearts OF his audiences similar to that which that
centric author exercised the seDsibes of his read
ers. But, Notwithstanding these easy and graceful quail
ties of mind he adhered with enacity to his principles
| and nfexbly maintained them
During his life he obnoxious to the charge OF
political inconsistency. He continued avorite in his dis
rict up the time of his death His loyalty to his friends
fixed his opposition to his adversares manly
and tolerant But sir will venture to dwell longer
upon this theme enlarge upon the abilities and virtues
Of the departed No eulogy of mine add to your APP
probation Of his character voice of mine extend
the sphere OF his reputation grief of mine assagc
the anguish of his venerable father mourning the loss of
his eldest BORN but let his aged parent the world
cedes from him. bear with him the sad consolation that the
genial qualities which adorned the heart and The brilliant
talents that embeished the mind Of his gifted child
neither forgotten by his friends aforementioned by his
counrymen
Mr. LATHAM said Mr. Speaker, to the wish of the Ken
lucky delegation that should participate in this oba-
| ton to departed associate my heart has given
mournful acquiescence. But four short months ago
! took him by the hand at parting and wished him God
speed, little dreaming of the journey he going on
that the chilly hand of death was TO come between him
and welcome back. Secure in that strange confidence
with which mortality mocks her worldly minded
children passing thought admonishcd that the bright
should be dimmcd soonthe oval hearty laugh be
heard no among U.S. We looked not down the dark
valley his feet tread Our line of vision
reached half far but measured distance only by
hopes.
dviduas in this body inasmuch he had endeared him
In trater and who thpr adm