The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-12-04

aeerises the intense nationality Of his elines and
numerous Instances might be cited from his public life in
which where the honor the interests Of his country
the integrity OF the Union involved he broke those
eters with which the spirit Of party bat too often tram
meis the minds OF even the most distinguished public
men.
AS statesman, he was the pride of his State and
cherished leader OF Of the great political parties OF the
country whilst It's national organization maintained
As lawyer, he necessarily less known to those
around me, the sphere Of his forensic action with few
EXCEPTIONS within the limits of his State II has
been my fortune, however to have frequently witnessed
and felt bis powers both associate and opponent
and though have heard very many Of the most distn
gushed lawyers Of country, in calling for the
highest exercise Of their capacity and have thought
few possessed greater powers Of discrimination and Others
more playful fancy in the combination OF all his facial
ties have yet to meet his superior if indeed have met
his equal as advocate before jury viii uot pause
to anayze the peculiar powers which rendered him 50
effective, formidable and successful in his forensic pur
sai 1t is sufficient that he successful profes-
sion in which merit alone can command success.
To hs great mental qualities he added host Of virtues
Aheetonate son. devoted husband almost too in
dalgsut as father he was Kind and generous friend Of
exceeding Hbera his purse open to those he loved
and esteemed with aimcs careless confidence Little
conVersant with and somewhat needless Of the con-
venonaliie5 of society there charm in the cord It
OF his which endeared him his friends and at
traeted and fascinated his ordinary auuainances
But Mr. President successful M friend in all his
pursuits there shadows upon the pathway of ha
life and he had than equal share Of the sorrows
and disaPpointmens inevitable TO the lot of man He
in he
pursuit OF either were but few and transient This is the
bright side of the picture The reyerse presents the attic
ions to which, in the dispensaons of awse Proyi-
delce, he was subjected in his domestic relations
Ia September 1922 he married the daughter of DR. aa
Fisher, of Delaware accomplished lady, and e obisct
of his first affections After little than wo Years ~
domestic happiness she died in Februar 1924 eayino
him two sons and to him her loss was Ielong SORROW
e cherished her memory with an almost romantic devo
hon and though unusually emonsative as to his ordi-
emotions and feegs with his deeper affections il was
otherwise His was grief which spoke not aud even the
observant eye Of friendship could only see from omentary
gmpses how immedeahle was the wound which mad been
inflicted OF the two children which she had left him. the
youngest who of great promise both intellectually and
morally died in January s49 in his twenyfourth year.
and the other two years after On the death of his
youngest and avorte child there was desoation of the
heart which, though vanly courted relief in the excite
nent Of public life could scarcely be realized by those
who have not suffered under the pressure Of similar
row. Perhaps IT best pictured in the melancholy reec-
tons of Wsllenstein:
al shall grieve down this blow of that conscious
What does not man grieve down
As from the vilest thing of every day,
Coreasr bi1 i1 "'Yp Yet feel what rGng hours
In him. The bloom is va-shed from my life
For 0 he stood bes''ds me, ike my youth,
Transformed for m the real to a dream,
Clothing the palpabe and the familiar
With golden exhaations Of the dawn.
Whatever fortunes wait my future tolls,
The beautiful is vanish d-and returns not
Such, Mr.. President was my colleagues career and
such his He stood isolated in the world for
friends they could not satisfy the longing Of the for
those and dearer who had passed away cannot
doubt that the coroaug effect Of this great grief the
indsposion physical exerton which it naturally pro-
duced undermined very vigorous constitution and fore
shortened his life at when pened experience and
undecayed mental powers would have rendered his services
valuable to his country.
Among the graves OF the last century Mr. President in
old church-yard at New Castle there is epitaph
upon the tombstone Of Mr. Curtis who died in 1853
after having filed many public Offices in the then colony
Of the "Three lower counties upon Delaware attributed
believe correctly to the pen Of Benjamin Franklin. IL
might with change Of name be most appropriately in
scribed upon the tomb Of my lamanted friend:
"Tf to be prudent in council,
Upright in Judgment,
Faithful in trust
Give value to the public man
II to be sincere in friendship,
Afectionate TO relations,
And kind TO all around him,
Make the private amiable,
Thy death, Clayton,
As general loss,
Long shall be lameuted,n
will but further add as &c last and crownug OF my
colleagues life that he died in the faith and with tho
hopes Of a Christie
Mr. PresideD:., offer the following resolutions:
Ee'o'ed, unanimously That the members Of the Senate
10 the Hon Joas NJ cLaTTos, deceased late member o.
the Senate from the State Of Delaware, will 20
,:olred, uTaai"ouy That an additional mark Of 70
spect for the Of the Hon. JoHS NJ CLAYroS tho
Senate do adjourn.
Mr. CRGTTENDEN addressed the Senate His remarks
Mr.. CASS. Mr. President once more are our duties 10
the living suspended by the last sad tribute Of regard 10
the memory Of the dead Another Of associates has
passed from this Of his abors TO that dread respon
bity which equally awaits the representative and the
suenL the ruler and the ruled All human distinct ,rs
eveed before the Destroyer and in the h
TO which fastening the mighty and the lowy y
side by side together There departed friend has Pc
ceded u. When separated but few days since ~
bright and shining light among his countrymaa,
Returning 20 resume functions we hnd that light ex
gushed Ia the darkness Of tho tomb Well may We ~.
claim, In the impressive language Of the Psalmis Mans
days a shadow that passeth away r.
Ills character and services have been portrayed with
great power and fidelity by the senators who have preceded
OF them his respected colleague and the other his
personal and political friend and both Of them entitled py
long acquaintance TO speak they have spoken OF MIN
and their words Of eloquence have found responsive feel
ing in the hearts Of their auditors.
cannot lay claim 20 the relatiors but knew him
during many years. and his high Qualities have left their
impress upon my mind and use 10 add INV feeble tes-
monal OF regret That he fs been taken from among
The deceased sena from Delaware long identified
with the politics. history Of the country. Sent here by ac
conhden his native State thirty years ago he brought
- him eminent qualifications for the position aud which
led 10 the high distinction he acquired To vigorous and
powerful intellect improved by early training he added
varied and extensive acquiremenisthc fruit of ripe study
and acute observation. And be possessed profound
kuowedg geare ndeedof the principles Of consttu-
on and Of those great questions connected with pecu
for solution and sometimes under circumstances Of pst
ous agitation He prompt and able debaer, ~ we
all know and touched subject upon which he did not
leave marks Of thorough investigation Ia whatever stua-
ton he placed he met the public expectation by the
ability he displayed and By his devotion the honor and