Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-02-11

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he we'll performed his duty.
He was an officer of that gallant Palmetto
: regiment, which, on bright day i'll March
formed its line of one thousand men on the
beach at Vera Cruz and which, when, six
months afterwards its flag, soiled by the smoke
of battle, was planted on the gates OF Mexico
could muster but three shundred men fit fol
duty. It's brave and accomplished commander
Col. Pierce Butler, who tell on the CORY field
of Churubusco, was the Blood kinsman Of the
deceased. It's second field officer, Lieut.. Col
Dickinson having fallen id; the same field, and
its Major. GLADDEN., severely wounded at the
Belen Gate. the command devolved Oh Capt
Dunoyant. the brother-inilaw of the deceased
On every battle field ons which the standard
of that regiment foated; though bathed in
Carolina's best blood, it vas ever borne to vic
tory. Such was my confidence in the officers
and men of that regiment that, had it ever
been my lot to see that proud flag laid low upon
the bloody field, / WOULD have looked to lind
beneath its tattered folds the corpse OF the last
Survivor of that gallant bald
Five of the relatives ofsthe late Capt: Pres
ton S. Brooks fell in the last battles of the val
lev of Mexico. He himself had been compelled,
bv severe illness, to return; home, and did not
reioin his regiment until after the capture Of the
At the commencement of this Congress, after
years of separation, I again met my former
coDralc on this floor, and received daily erl-
lcnccs of his gentle and Kind manner towards
his friends His soul wasahe abode of integri-
~ and honor. His intercourse with his fellow
men was distinguished foT simplicity, candor,
and truth and all will admit that he has lett,
short a. his career has been, upon our records
rencated evidences of his talents and abilities.
Mr.. CAMPBELL, of Ohio, said: Mr.. Speaker, the
dspensatlon which. has deprived State OF one OF
its members, makes this most solemn meeting
of the House Of Representatives. The clrcum-
stances surrounding this sad and sudden dece;se
of a fellow member, whentin the prime of lie
and yieor of manhood, viii justify the remark
| that lie who docth all things well" has again
repeated to lis with emphasis his warming " In
the midst of life We are inieath.'
Preston S. Brooks was elected three times a
member of this House by 1hc people of South
Carolina. He neritc,l theit confidence, because
he WAS the faithful advocate Of their political
sentiments, and the Jealous guardian OF their
rigbts. tb,ir interests, aid their honor. My
personal relations with MrhBrookS here were
of such nature as to- enable me 10 Know anu
aupreciatc his virtues. HG was man Ot kind
heart and tile most enderSuscepllDliitie'. liis
colleague (NIr. KcitD haYwell said that Ills
friendship was of eXtraoffnary tenacity. IL
these clements, which arsgamonS the highest
characteristics of true .aaaie,ood, ever let linn
to acts, which our 5ddssa would decide TO
he wrong let us remember, that to err Is hu-
man, to forgive divine" :,
During his Congressional career, Mr.. BROOKS
always commanded friends and admirers IN So
cial lille. lie stood by the bedside OF his sick
fellow-member from your State, Mr.. Speaker,
miustcring to his wants through the weary
hours of night. Again, lie was ready to peril
his life in defence Of member from ollo,
whom he regarded as in personal danger. In
ci,lents such as these within my own knowl-
cdoe the records of the War Department,
showing that lie responded promptly to call oil
our common country, and the statements just
made by the gallant gentleman from Mississippi,
(Mr. Ouitman. as to his valor on the battle
field, are facts which will vinlicatc the state
mont that Preston S. Brooks was both generous
and brave.
I will only add, Mr.. Speaker, that for these
reasons. and cherishing sympathy Tor inc
family and friends thus terribly smltten, which
have no words to express, / support cordially
the resolutions.
Mr.. CL1SGMAx, Of North Carolina, said: Mr.
Speaker, coming as tlo from the same section
of country to which Mr.. Brooks belonged,
hone tile House will indulge me tor Il few mo
mcnts. As his State and mine are contiguous,
our districts were SO near each other, ana SUCH
was the intercourse between our constituents
that he was well known and highly honored
among those whom represent vi the iicI-
dents of his life, both political and military,
the gentlemen who preceded me have so appro-
priately spoken that nothing Is lett for me 10
add.
NV personal acquaintance with him began
wifi the commencement of his service i'll this
IT MISE. and the fact that we represented adj
io;n;np States and those who were united by
many ties, both in the past and the present,
together with great similarity in our political
, trr]inos and views, at once made lis intimate
friends. Even now, while attempt to speak,
so many recollections crowd on me OF mcldents
flat were interesting and touching in our per-
sonal intercourse, that it is difficult for me to
avoid the expression of feelings that might seem
out of place here.
The presence Of death, always painful, is
foublv appalling when it comes suddenly and
falls on one in the vigor of manhood, with
bripl,t prospccts before linn. No one among us,
sir can look to the future with more confidence
than he might we'll have done. With his own
immediate constituents his popularity was un-
bounded. lie had, too, the confidence OF his
native Statc-a State emncntly distinguished
for the generosity with which she appreciates
merit in her sons lie had already likewise
acquired distinction in the national councils. If
to ensure success in craftsmanship it were i'll
deed necessary, as some have supposed, that
one should be an adept in the arts of deception
and hypocrisy, then only would lie have been
untitled for such theatre; for he was pre-
eminently frank, open, and manly. Sooner
than harbor a thought requiring concealment,
lie would have thrown it away, rs something
unworthy to be retained.
He usually followed his impulses, because lie
never doubted their innocence and propriety
While prompt to meet what he regarded as al
injury or an insult, lie was ever more prompt to
make amends for any unintentional wrong to
another. His generosity in this respect was
unsurpassed. He carried it sometimes to the
extent of icoparling his own rights rather thai
fall short of all that was due to another. Pos
sessed of the highest order of courage, lie re-
tanned with it all the kindness and amiability
Of childhood. So endowed, it is not strange
that he had large circle of warm and ardent
ncrsonal friends. Favo1ite as he was Of Soutl
Carolina tile sudden termination of his career
j, will produce a profound melancholy Throughout
her entire length and breadth The truthful
In,oss and directness Of his character not les