Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1856-09-05
CoNGREss---Extra Session


&
that death has again entered that hail snS
taken from our mdst another of our sss-nt
aies in the Legislative Councils oftbe nett.
During the session preceding the last Con
gross the sad duty devolved upon ma ar
announcing 10 the Senate the death M ,,,'
immediate associate and colleague upon tL,,
floor. This morning il again becomes rp,
painful duty formally 10 announce to this bodv
the Intelligence, which had already reached
~ through the swift winged telegraph. ribe
sudden and lameuted death Of colleague
and my own immediate representative uoon
tho floor ofthe other House.
The Hon. JAMEs MrAcuAM a mernba,
of the House Of Representatives from tho
State Of Vermont died on the mornin, 81
Saturday last the 23d instant, at his resi-.
rence in Nddehury in that State, at the AGO
Of iorty-sW years. Two weeks ago he lon
this city on account Of the impaired state nj
his health, wth the hope aud for the puroos,
Of seeking quiet and rest and restoration
10 the retirement and seclusou and amldst
the more congenlal Influences Of hs own
home. How true it is that ave know not
whata day may bring forth n How true II
is that the ways Of Providence are inscm,A-
BILE" by the mind Of frail and finite man He
went home, but 10 return to his post Of honor
and Of public duty no more. lie went home.
but 10 die. lie went home and Law down Ia
die amidst those he loved and who loved and
honored him. lie went home but to take his
immediate and last farewell ofwife and chill.
dren, Of kindred and al there IS ofearth
Mr.. Meacham was native of my
own county and town Of Rudand, in tie
State Of Vermont, whore he was born IN
1910 Of humble but respectable uareniage
lie was bereo Of both lhthef and mother On
his early youth. Without patrmony, and
without the care and guidance Of parental
counsels, be was cast, an orphan child, upon
the chances and the accidents oflife; thrown
upon his own resources and leil 10 give shape
and direction tn his own fortunes amidst
frowning and uncharitable world He had
none Of that antiment Of false pride 10 he
time Of his o. hst successful fortunes which
could regard 1t as any dispangemen, to his
character be influence, Or he rising fame
/ that sec: Al Of his earlier years we're spent
10 the Cabnet-maker's shop. His vigorous
and active mind, however, sought more
extended sphere Of exerion and usefulness
His early and earnest desire was for liberal
education, and his native energy and enter
prise OF character enabled him 10 make the
requisite preparation for admission TO Col
lego and, with tho aid Of few family
friends, he passed Though a full and regular
course Of academic study AZ Middlebury
College, where he graduated 10 1889 with
marked credit and distinction for general
scholarship
Alter the completion Of HE academ.cal
course Of s,ndes he spent some time hs
teacher, 20 the capacity of principal Of The
academy NJ St Alhans and as a tutor To- his
own Alma Mater, meanwhile pursuing
course Of study preparatory 10 the mln.sirs-
ton Of the Gospel, and which he completed
ut the Theological Seminary AZ Andover
Massachusetts. Shorty after he leii that
institution he was installed az the pastor of
The Congregational Church snd Society ~
Newhayen. Vermont, where he offlciatod for
several years with great acceptance 10 that
people. A vacancy having occurred m the
chair Of "Elocution and English Literature
in Mddlebury College he was invited % the
charge Of that professorship by the unsni-
nous voice Of the Board of Trustees Of that
institution, and which WIS accepted BY him
uDOn deliberate consideration. with the reluc-
tsnt nssen, OF his Church and Society 10
Newhaven. He officit,ed IN this capacity
for some years with singular ability and with
great credit 10 himself and the institution,
when. IN 1919, vHrancy occurring in The
National House Of Representatives from The
( district "a which be resided, on account Of
the resignation Of the Hon. George P.
Marsh, then rcoontly appointed Minister
Resident at the Court Of the Ottoman Porte
at Constantuop'e, Mr.. Meacham was select
ed with great unanimity by his distric, to fll
the vacancy. The endorsement Of four pub
he elections, 0y large and decisive msJorties,
attest the appreciation Of his character his
..A.a q u ..IN
iuency lie had also been placed 10 nomins-
ton for a ifh term, which, he'd be lived
would, without question. on tomorrow week
have been ratified by more emphatic voice
from The freemen OF the district than 40 any
former election.
During most Of bic term Of service 10 The
House be has taken an active and prominent
part 10 the business Of legislation, and p,rtic-
ipated to a considerable extent in the discus.
sions upon the leading questions Of The ddy
which came before that body During lhe
late protracted and exciting session he held
the important and rcsbonslple position OF
chairman 0f the Committee on the District Of
B Columbia; and during the preceding four
yeaB he was one Of the three members of she
House of Representatives 10 whom was
assigned by the presiding officer Of that
House the honorable lrust and position Of
Regent Of the Smithsonian Institution and
at the time Of his death he was a member Of
the Board of Trustees Of MiddIebury College.
Such, Mr.. President, is very brief and
imperfect statement of the public career and
services of James Meacham, which have now
been suddenly cut short by his melancholy
DEATH The several places of dislincion and
honor which had been rapidly conferred upon
him, manifest the high appreciation of bis
character, and show forth the high estimation
in which he was held by those who knew
him longest and who knew him best. The
story of such a life, the honors which, 10
subsequent years, gathered thick and fast
around the apprentced youth Of the work
shop, furnish but another and a striking
exemplifcation of the eleyatiug and emo
bling charac err and the benefcient influence
OF the civil institutions Of or popular system
OF government "A Government which opens
the pathways to honorable distinction alike
10 all, and which invites TO seats of honor
within the inner temple Of fame the merllou-
Gus aud the well-deserying from among the
humbest as well as from among the highest
and the proudest Of the sons Of men.
The impaired state OF Mr., Moacham's
health tor the past two years, and especially
during the late session, had in a considerable
measure disabled him from taking the active
part in the discharge of his public duties
which he had hitherto been accustomed to
give TO them When he came here at The
opening Of the present Congress, disease had
already made its deep impress upon bis
countenance, and seemed to have marked
him for an early victim for the grave. lie
still expressed the hope aud the confidence
that the returning warmth aud genial lnhu-
ence Of the coming spring and summer une
would bring with them returning health and
strength and vigor to his enfeebled frame
The spring and the summer time came, but
they brought no healing on their wings Tor
him. The King Of TeTrors had set his seal
upon HIM, and but too early claimed his VIC
j tim.
James Meacham was generously gifted BY
nature. Possessing an active and logiea!!