The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-12-18


Mr. Harris having received majority of all the votes
cast, was announced as duly elected, ....s .ag.-f
Mr.. DOUGLAS remarked that he had not voted, for
reasons satisfactory to himself, a. ...u. .aa
After the consideration Of executive business, the SEN
ate adjourned, .,g, ,i s,n r,5 ,Ea d.. t s.-i f-, -
a HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
The House opened with prayer. nn1 uta...s ns,
After the reading of the Journal nuis,u ...stg.
Mr. LEIDY, of Pennsylvania announced the death of
his colleague, Hon. JOHN g. MONTGOMERY, in the follow
ing appropriate address !B EG Jf3 sd ID. .Hl" DO g@t
MIR. Speaker, II has become my duty to-day to an
nounce to you and to this House the death of my
immediate predecessor the Hon. JOHN G. MoNTGoM
EaY member elect of the Thirtyfth Congress for the
twelfth district of the State of Pennsylvania. Mr. MoNT
aoMERY was born in Paradise then in Northumberland
county in the State of Pennsylvania in the year 1905
When he had attained proper age-hayng pursued his
preparatory studies in the vicinity of his homehe en-
tered Washington College, in Washington county, at
which institution he graduated with honor in 1924, be-
leve member of the same class with Gov. Wise, of
Virginia @ar9.' 4# Hi4AR #'sals1s @.aA .a| Z" l..1
Having completed his collegiate course he Immediately
commenced the study of the law under the direction and
instruction of the Hon Alem Mari, formerly member
of this House, and gentleman Of deservedly high repu
tuition well for his legal learning and talents for gen.
era intelligence In the year 1926 he was admitted to
practice in the several courts of Columbia county and
to an honorable standing in his profession
Shortly after his admission to the bar he appointed
district attorney for the county Of Columbia and for sew
ernl years uiScnaBe oince
with credit to himself and the entire satisfaction of the
public He continued the practice Of the law success
fully until the year 1855, when he reluctantly consented
to become candidate for member of the State egisla
ture was nominated and elected and well did he
discharge the duties of that Office ably acqut himself
legislator, that before the expiration of his first
term, the public mind had fixed upon him as the next
representative for the district on this floor.
Immediately after his return from the legislature he
appointed delegate to the Cincinnati Convention in
which he zealosy labored for and aided In, the nom
nation of present Chief Magistrate having been
of his earliest and firmest friends
When the time for making congressional nomination
in the district arrived, he nominated the demo-
cratic candidate for Congress for the twelfth district and
ut the ensuing election in October 1856, was triumph
antly elected by majority exceeding 1000 the largest
majority which any candidate for Congress had received
in the district for many years.
About the LIST of March, 1887 he visited Washington
for the purpose of witnessing the ceremonies of the na
guraon and also of attending to the interests of his
constituents at the organization of the admnisra
ton and while here stopping at the National Hotel,
contracted that mysterious disease which has proved fatal
to many of the sojourners in this city that
sion. He remained here few days after the first symp
of the disease manifested themselves and finding
that he still growing worse he returned to his home
in Danville to avail himself Of the kind attentions of his
family, and the services of his family physician in whose
skill he had the most unbounded confidence in the hope
of speedy restoration to health But in this he
disappointed and after lingering for nearly two months,
his disease battling all medical skill he departed this life
on the Gath Of April, 1857. ''.
Mr. MONTGOMERY was O sound lawyer and able advocate
and well versed in all the general political questions of
his day. He fearless and free in the expression of
his opinions firm in his adherence to- and defence OF,
what he believed to be truth, and bold and uncompro
missing in combating He kind husband and
father, true friend, estimable citizen honest
/ have thus briefly sketohed much of the his
tory Of his life and character proper for this time and
place.
may however, be permitted to add that in the death
Of Mr. MONTGOMERY, not only have his family and friends
suffered most melancholy bereavement but the people
of his district his constituents who had recently given
him most attering testimonial of their confidence have
sustained loss which they deeply feel and sincerely de-
pIore They have been deprived of the services of
whose eminent talents would have soon gained for him
an honorable position this floor, and whose integrity
and social qualities would have secured for him the
Rdence and esteem of his felow-membcrs. .s.t ...
/ stand not here to pronounce his eulogy but, hav-
ing known him intimately for many years, in all the
ations of life civil social and professional would here
bear testimony to his worth citizen, his virtues
man
Mr. MONTGOMERY, at the time of his death, was about
fifty two years OF age He had entered upon public life
with mind well disciplined, and Judgment well ma
tured, and with a constitution, physical and mental
which gave fair promise Of many years Of usefulness and
honor But alas how vain are all human expectations
How uncertain all human hopes With the brightest
prospects, and the highest hopes in day when he look
ed not for it, and In hour when he thought not he
stricken down by unseen hand. The grave, which
never saith g it is enough, claimed him as victim
The dust has returned to dust and the spirit has to
God who gave It, He is dead How solemnly this
brief sentence falls upon the ear How great how fear
l the change which it indicates in the condition of its
| subject Yet only few more days, or a few more
years at most shall have passed away, and other lips
will pronounce, concerning each of He is dead T.
Twice already, since assembling here have we been
called upon in this solemn to remember that
are mortal and to-day, for the third time, thoughts
are arrested and turned to the contemplation Of DEATH
the grave and the future that lies beyond May all
continually heed the solemn admonition oft repeated
g Be we also ready, 10 usaHa.ss adt st raf rg.
Iofer the following resolutions n.l.r.. .s rE .rt
Resolved That the House have heard with deep and
unfegned regret of the death Of the Hon john G. MoT
aonpy, member elect of the Thiry-ft Congress from
the twelfth congressional district OF Pennsylvania s
Resolved That testimony of respect for the memo
ry Of the deceased the members and officers of this House
will the usual badge of mourning for thirty days.
Resolved That the Clerk forward TO the family of the
| deceased copy of these proceedings lg ag
Resolved, That, q further mark OF respect 10 the
memory Of the deceased this House do adjourn.
I'd Mr.. FLORENCE. The very limited acquaintance that
had with my deceased colleague the representative from
the Luzerne district, hardly justifes in rising at this
time to say word in seoonding the resolutions. That
short acquaintance, however impressed with the be
lief that in the performance of the duties of representa-