The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-01-30

He whose sudden and untimely death we now mourn
also my friend Years ago, when the first down of
manhood was upon his cheeks, knew him. / had seen
him Vera Cruz sharing with his the privations the
dangers and the riumphs Of that famous siege Whether
marching through the scorchng sands of tropical shore
ayesng the frosty mountain passes he exhibited
the serene cheerful and determined bearing Of the soldier
and gentleman. In sunshine and in rain by day and by
night when pinched by hunger and thirst well when
surrounded with plenty, he well performed his duty.
He was an officer Of that gallant Palmetto regiment
which on bright day In March formed its line OF 1000
men on the beach Of Vera Crnz and which, when six
months aerw ards its flag oiled by the smoke of battle
planted the gates OF Mexico could muster but 300
fiji for duty Its brave and accomplished commander,
Colonel Pierce Butler who fell on the CORY field of Chu
rubusco the blood nsman of the deceased It's second
field officer Lieutenant Colonel Dickinson having fallen
the field, and it's major, Gladden. severely wound
ed at the Bcn gate the command devolved upon Captain
| Dunnavant the brother-in-aw Of the deceased
On every battlefield which the standard of that reg
imen foated though bathed in Carolinas best blood IL
borne to victory Such my confidence in the
officers and of that regiment that had it been Try
lot to that proud flag laid low upon the bloody field
would have looked to find beneath Its tattered folds the
| corpse of the last survivor Of that gallant band.
Fveof the relations of the late Capt PRESTON BRonKs fell
the last battles Of the valley OF Mexico He himself had
been compelled by severe illness to return home and did
not roin his regiment until after the capture Of the mpe
rial city.
At the of this Congress- after years Of
separation, again my former comrade this aoor
and received daily evidence Of his gentle and kind
towards his friends bis soul the abode of integrity
and honor His intercourse with bis ellowmen dis
viii admit that be has left short his has BEEN
upon records repeated evidences Of hia talents and
ABILITIES.
Mr. CAMPBELL Of Ohio said Mr. Speaker, the dispon-
saton which has deprived State of Of its members
makes this most solemn meeting of the House Of Repre-
sentatves The circumstances surrounding this sad and
sudden aecease ola ellowmember when in the prime of
life and vigor of 'nhood, will justify the remark that
@e who doeth all things we has again repeated to Us
with emphasis these words SIN the midst Of life ye are
| in DEATH
ParsroN S. Brook, was elected three times member of
this House by the people ofSouh Carolina He meried their
confidence because he the faithful advocate of their po
ical sentiments and the jealous guardian Of their rights
their interests and their honor My personal relations
with Mr. Brooks here of such nature to enable
TO know and appreciate hi5 virtues He of
kind heart and the most tender suseeptbites His col
league Mr.. KETT has well said that his friendship was
Of extraordinary tenael,y 7 these elements which are
led him TO acts which judgment would decide 10
be wrong let ienemter that to err human to for
| give divine , a,
During his congressional c,recr Mr. Brooks always
manded friends and admirers in social life lie stood by
the bedside OF his sick ellowmember from yorr State, Mr.
Speaker mnisering to his wants through the weary
hours Of night Again: he was ready to peril his lire 10
defence CT member from Ohio whom he regarded as in
personal danger Instances such rs these within my own
knowledge the records of the War Department showing
that he responded to the call of country and
the statements just made by the gallant gentleman from
Mississippi Mr. qurAAN as to his valor the battlefield
facts which viii vndcae the statement that Preston
i 5. Brooks was both generous and brave.
will only add, Nj. Speaker, that for these reasons and
cherishng sympa by for the family and friends thus ter
rbly smiten which have words to express support
cordially the resolutions
Mr.. CLINGMAN, of North Carolina, said: Mr. Speaker,
coming, do from the section Of country to which
Mr. DaooKs b ngsd hope the House will indulge me for
few moments AZ lis State and mine contiguous,
districts very each other, and such the in
ercourse between constituents that he well kaown
and highly honored among those whom represent. OF
the incidents of bis life, both political and military, the
gentlemen who preceded ms have appropriately spoken
that nothing is left for me to add. .. ..r. ...
/ My personal acquaintance with him began with the COM
encement of his service in this House and the fact that
represented adjoining States those who uni
ted by many both the past and the present together
with the great similarity in political feelings and views
at once made us intimate friends. Even now while at
dents that were interesting and touching in personal
intercourse that it is difficult for to avoid the express
sion Of feelings that might out Of place here.
The presence of DEATH always painful is doubly appa
ling when suddenly and falls n the ygor
of manhood, with bright prospects before him. No
among u.s. sir look the future with confidence
than he might well have done With his immediate
constituents his popularity unbounded. lie had too
the confidence OF his State State emineny distinguish
ed for the generosity with which she rewards merit in her
sons He had already likewise acquired distinction id the
national councils. to insure in craftsmanship it
were indeed necessary some have supposed that
should be adept in the arts of deception and hypocrisy
then only would he have been unfit for such theare for
he preeminen,y frank open and manly Sooner than
harbor thought requiring concealment be would have
thrown it away something unworthy to be retained
He usually followed his impulses, because he never
doubted their innocence and proprey. While prompt to
meet what as ne was even
more prompt to make amends for any unnenona wrong
to another His generosity in this respect unsurpas
ed. lie carried it sometimes to the extent Of eoparding
his rights rather than fall short of all that due
another Possessed of the highest order courage he
tanned with 1t all the kindness and amablity of child
hood So endowed it is not strange that he had large
circle of and ardent personal friends Favorte
he Of South Carolina the sudden termination Of his
career will produce profound melancholy throughout her
entire length and breadth The truhfunes and direct
of his character not less than his intellectual qual
ties have endeared him thousands in State whose ci-
Distinguished for the ardor Of their attachments
and the generosity of their emotions II will be long be-
fore his be there pronounced without calling up
sensations of the deepest sorrow.
These painful and sudden occurrences restngpaccs
in the struggles Of fe but all of have duties and
some have hopes, to carry the mind forward, and we
should have present the idea that while life itself will
fade the recollection Of great and noble acts gives
here upon earth sort Of Immortality.
Mr. SAVAGE, of Tennessee said; Mr. Speaker do not
approve of much talk at any time yet should not well
represent my constituency, do justice to my feel
ing by remaining wholly silent this sad occasion The
mighty has fallen in the bright day of bis glory But
it is not in accordance with my tenets to lament any mans
death lecause his life has been short Few live die
they desire To live long is of but little importance to
the To die nobly is LIES chief concern History
records but Thermopyl@ there ought to have been
another, and that for PREsToS s. RRooKs Brutus
stabbed Caesar in the CAPITOL and, whatever may
ever since approved and appauded It, So shall the
in the Senate chamber carry the Of the deceased
ali future generations long be remembered after all here
are forgotten, and until these proud walls crumble into
q ruins.
Brave patriotic, and unsefsh II he had been permitted
to choose his death feel confident he would have
fallen in crest battle for the public veal But that
d.