The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1856-09-03

labors, lie was an intelligent member Of
the Regency of the Smithsonian Ins,i.
tuition, where he was recognized by his
associates as a man of superior MUD. who
not only appreciated the objects If that
institution, but had an enlightened com
prehcusion Of the scope and utility Of
the various means adopted by tue board
TO carry out the design of its behefcent
founder. If any difference as to meas
ures arose, lie showed that it was not a
blind aud uureasoning difference, and
exhibited, by his independent course of
thought, the full strength of his position
He took manifest interest in this iustitu.
tion "for the increase and diffusion of
knowledge among men," and gave pune.
tual and careful attention to all its bus.
mess
In The present Congress he filed the
important post Of chairman of the Com
miltce on the District of Columbia
My first acquaintance with Mr. Meach-
am. commencing when we met here in
December last, affords me little knowl-
edge of
'''' u'Nt I''I llh OF n good man 5 HE
His little, namclcSs, aforementioned acts
OF Kindness ind Of love-"
So that have been compelled to c,nflnc
myself to his public character and t, the
dry detail Of facts. though | may say
that in my personal intercourse with
him. while he was man Of decided snit.
II. and while his disease tended tn fold
him in the genus irritadih", I have found
him gentle. kind, and touchinglv crate.
flu for any solicitudc manifested il lis
behalf.
lie was n man Of markell ability. ripe
ness of judgment, indomitab,e will, and
unwovering integrity. His scholarship
never ostentatious, was varied. solid. and
useful. AS debater he appeared per.
haps too rarely, never except to discuss
smo question Immediately before the
House, and then always c,mmandcd the
most respectful attention. His argu.
ments were always clear and cocent
Ills dlction, distinguished for It's terse
ness and purity, was enforced bv an earn
est and energetic delivery. But, with
so many qualifications for usefulness to
bis country and for iucreasicg the bri,ht.
ness Of his own fame, his career i cla-
sed forever and we have only to express
The brief tribute of our grief FIR his
I loss.
He leaves to deplorc his fate n d,vo-
ted wife and an interesting family. whose
| grief will sutlrr no diminliion because a
large and intelligent circle Of acquaint-
anct> are touched with kindred sorrow,
nor b'ctuse his district, alive with ,hon.
sands Of unflltering friends. is su denly
ranked as his chief mourpcr.
In our brief CIR or this is the third
instance where we hive seen the ambi.
ton Of OF or frlow-m IN Der. forever
extingl'shed, the hope of families crush
cd, aud the prilc Of States ob,cured
Such lessons rs these should lead Us to
pause and review our actions. ablte our
heated strif"s, and teach US the real
value of the transi,ory things which nov
so wholly engross our passions and af
| fections Are we ready to bear the
great final ordeal to which our brothers
have been subjected only lit;le in ad-
| vance
otis greatly wise to talk with our past hours
| And ask them W hat report they bore to
Heaven
MIR Speaker, | move the adoption of
| the following resolutions
! RcSo'cci That This House has heard
with decp regret the announcemoi.t % the
death Of Hon. JAMES MEAcnAN mem
| be- Of this House from Vermont.
RcS2(red, That this House tenders
| its sympathy to the widow and family
Of the deceased. and, as a testimonial Of
respect, that the members and officers
| of the House will 90 into mourning by
wearing Grape on their left arm for thir
ty days.
Rcsoirct. That copy of the fprogo
ing resolutions be communicated to the
widow Of the deceased.
RcSolUcd, That, us a further mark of
respect, this House do now adjourn,
Me>srs IIowARD, of Michigan. Eru
FRIDGE, Of Tennessee Dickson. of New
| York. and GlDDlNGs. Of Ohio, seconded
the res oluions in remarks when the
! question was taken, and they were unnan-
! imously agreed to
And the House adjourned.
In Senate. message was received
| from the House announcing the death of
Hon. JAMES MEAcHAM, oe the State Of
| Vermont when
Mr. FooT of Vermont, rose and al
dressed the Senate as follows:
Mr.. President: The message we have
just received from the House Of Repre-
sentatives brings to us the melancholy
announcement shat death has again en-
tered that hall and taken from our midst
another of our associates in the Le1islt-
| tive Councils of the nation. Daring the
session preceding the last Congress the
sad duty devnlyed upon mo Of annpunc
! ing 10 the Senate the death of my in
mediate associate aud colleague upon
this ADor. This morning it becomes a
gain my painful duty formally to au-
nounce TO this body the Intelligence,
which had already reached us through
the swiftwIneed telegraph, of the sud
den and lameutod death of colleague,
and my own immediate representative
upon the floor of the other House.
The Hon. JAMES MEAcHAM,a member
of the Hnusa of Renresen tatiyes from