The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-06-28
FRIDAY, JuSE ~, 1856.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

After the customary preliminary business had been dis
posed of
Mr. MlLLSoN, Of Virginia, rose and said Mr. Speaker
have risen TO the House the death OF my
friend and colleague, THOMAS HENRY BAYLY. In making
this announcement ] perform the most painful service
that member of this body have been ever called on
TO discharge ..m..
Judge BAYLY died of consumption at his residence in
Aceomac county, Virginia at four o'clock on the morning
of his nsdious disease from Its first obscure and doubtful
indications, than year ago. to its full development
seeand clearly than himselfthat only brief
period of life remained 10 him. But there who
could not believe that alicton near, which, II
present would be ooyerwhemingwho could mol see n
the future what in the dread reality would seem u
real II WAS them only TO indulge the wishes Of those who
trusted that milder climate would restore his health
and strength that Judge BAyLY consented quit his pub
lie duties in Washington, and spend the winter in the
island OF Cuba But he not cheated by the hopes that
inspired them To me- and to other friends he repeatedly
expressed his conviction that the malad which had been
fatal his race had stricken him. too unto DEATH But
there nothing of gloom dependency in these dec
aratons He seemed TO be but weighing the evidence and
scanning the arguments in this his of life and
death, il still exercising the Judicial office with which he
had once been invested.
After taking his seat this House. the
of the session. remaining hee few days. he with
his whole family to Cuba where he aid till the month of
April But he had too plainly oreseen, neither the
genial atmosphere of that island the assiduous of
devoted wife and daughter, could stay the of his
disease He returned home with only such slight eviden-
of outward alteration that affection could not per-
ceve that his condition worse Hope suggested that it
was even improved. But only little than fort
night ago these cherished deuaons forever dispeed
Judge BAyLy attacked with frequent and profuse
beedings from the lungs which rapidly exhausted his lit
tie remaining strength. He felt and knew that his
end near but he regarded it with the composure
he had exhibited distant contemplation OF it,
lie lost his sepossession, but frequently displayed
more camness than those who surrounded his bed and
he submitted to the final stroke with coposare that was
truly remarkable He died before completing his forty
sixth year.
Judge BAYLY born in the county of Accomac the
lth OF December l8l0 He not as many OF the
statesHen OF America reared amid privation and difficulty
IL with oar imperfect perception OF the dependence OF hu-
man events we cap ever be warranted in pronounsng
such gmens he may in oil the circumstances OF his
life be said 10 have been fortunate The confidence OF his
constituents which his merits gave him personal
title strengthened by sort of ancestral claim for bis
maternal grandfather General John Cropper disin-
gaehsd officer in the continental army and his father,
Colonel Thomas NJ, BayIy was, with little intermssion,
for nearly forty yea continued by the people in high and
important trusts both in the eopas of the State and OF
the Union He represented p this HouEe portion OF the
district that was lsely represented by his son.
In 1880, after having completed his course of legal
studies at the University of Virginia. Judge BAvLy
menced the practice OF the law IL not long before his
artrcpp the bar challenged the notice of the people Of
his native eauHy and as soon as he bad attained tue age
required by the eopsSl of the STATE he elected to
represent them in the general asseoy ~ TINS oody ne
remained prominent and conspicuous menef aisplay-
ing frequent occasons TO the people OF Virginia those
abilities which have been since 50 generally acknowledged
throughput the Union until be was tran~-fred py the
legislature TO tie bench of the general court fill a
cancy occasioned by the appointment of the late Judge
Upshur as Secretary OF the Navy He continued hnt
years upon the bench though the employ of his u
dcia office were grateful 10 his personal tastes that they
vera only reluctantly abandoned. The appointment of
Mr. Wise miaigter TO Brazil left the district he
had represented in Congress- and the call upon Judge
Bayy by the members OF his political party vas SO EN-
phac and peremptory that though they deemed
to be in almost hopeless minority he resigned his judi
cal Office and commenced active for seat on
this floor He was chosen by large majority and the
six successive elections by which he has been since
turned this House and sometimes in the face of oppos
ton that seemed TO be formidable have cvnced the coutin
of that confidence in his ability integrity and pa
trotism, which induced the FIRST selection.
Those of who have served with him for years
past know with what readiness and he acquitted him
self of the responsibilities OF the high positions to which
he was assigned in this House Whatever might be the
suggestions OF political anagonism the promptngs of
personal rivalry, all felt that in his native ability, his
parliamentary experience and his knowledge Of affairs
equal 10 the varied and important duties devoyed
upon him. .-
During the long period of Judge BAYBYs service
questions Of the greatest public have
gagged the attention Of Congress In the discussion Of ALL
or nearly all he bore prominent part IL be did not al
ways succeed in mpressng his heaers with the usness
OF his views, he rarely failed to show them that they
were such as demanded notice and needed reply But
though subjects which seemed to him TO merit full dis
cusson he spoke Often he did not speak often than
the temper of the House allowed. He always well
come speakers formore perhaps, than is usual in this
body--he spoke 10 the House and for the House. His
speeches though fashioned by artistic rules pos
sessed in eminent degree the requisites Of epic poem
quantity demanded by ancient rhetoriciana begin
ming, middle and an end. He only spoke when he had
something say and always ended when he had said H.
The character Of his public speaking force strength
cearness Of statement and simpriy OF arrangement m
marshalng his arguments and in reviewing those of
bis adversary he neither prsctised applied the artificial
rules of dalectics He would have been logical IL he had
heard of Aristotle OF metaphor he made but fru-
gal use for his meaning was plainly reflected IN his
statements hardly 10 admit Of illustration and of
dned and polished phraseoogy he was not merely careless
but almost disdanfu He seemed TO think that the rough
ne Is of the oak essential 10 its strength
II would have been impossible for Of Judge BAyLy
bold and sangupe temperament especially amid tho fierce
contentious that have unhappy marked the period Of his
service in Congress- always 10 avoid the giving the
taking Of offence. But be had aptness tor strife and
be was not unmndiu that the rude insult and the
ney speech left stain rather upon the character Of the
speaker than upon the party towards whom they d
reeted. lie was essentially goodtempered and amable
and as prompt TO make acknowledgment and reparaon
Of wrong done by himself he ready forgive IL in
Others.
As a statesman he prudent cautious moderate.
From the Committee Foreign Affairs during his four
years Of service its chairman no rash counsels ever
to disturb the public tranquility or to suy the
tionsl reputation. He regarded just great
calamity and, when unnecessary and wanton, crime
Of the deepest arocity He knew that the honor of ma
ton element Of It's strength; and he knew too
that national dignity sometimes suffers dispamgemen
from that disrust Of is claims which jealousy appro
PIRATES insults neither offered nor intended.
OF Judge BaYLY, in the intimate and endearing
relations OF busoand father friend will myself
to speak The memories Of those who stand within this
sacred circle viii cherish his domestic and social virtues
not the less warmly that they serve but to increase the
sense q their shilction.
Fcom his entrance into public life, Judge BAYLg had