Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-12-09
LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS.
From the South Carolinian.
SENATE.

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 2.
The Senate met at Il M. pursuant to adjourn
nent.
The following preamble and resolutions were
received from the House of Representatives
and were unanimously adopted:
Whereas, during the past year, the people o
South Carolina have been called upon TO mourn
the loss of three of the most eminent OF theil
public men, it is but iltng that this Legislatur.
Should express its own feelings, and the Sellse
of the people of the State in view of this public
bereavement, with Which il has pleased God, IL
his inscrutabc wisdom, to visit us i'll the death
first, of Cheves, aud then Of Butler, and now OF
Hamilton. The Commonwealth has experienced
q loss, not SO much of service rs of worth They
were all advanced in life. For long time pre-
vious to his death, Langdon CheveS had been
from choice, and the inGrmities of advancing
years, entirely removed from the sphere Of active
participation in political affairs, but even in his
old age and in his retirement, the integrity ot
his character and the grand proportions of his
massive intellect retained their blended symme
try; and, now, as we survey his finished life, ii
is difficult to determine in what light the picture
is presented in its most attractive features
whether as the able advocate and the incorrupti
BILE Judge, or rs the statesman of enlarged and
liberal views who, in his earlier political life
eSpoused the cause Of the impressed and captive
seaman-in the prime of his manhood rescued
the country from great financial distress, by an
able administration of the affairs Of the Bank oi
the United States and who, in his old aye, pro
claimed, trumpet.tongued, the wrongs of the
injured South. Of Andrew Pickens Butler it is
not necessary here to speak. He has been too
recently amongst us, and was too tamiliary
known to those who honOred him with the high.
est Offices in their giit to require at this time
recital of his virtues and his worth. His recent
intellectual conflicts on the floor of the Senate
of the United States, and his ardent devotion TO
the State, to the South and to their institutions,
will illustrate h:s adherence to duty and the
faithful performance of his public trusts while
the general warmth Of his benevolent nature
will keep ever green the affection Of those who
enjoyed his confidence and esteem Ill private
life. But while We muur!lcd the loss Of these
distinguished compatriots, and were preparing
to wreathe q chaplet for their graves, how ap-
palling is the intelligence that james Hamilton
the leader Of former days-thc adventurous
and tgullant Spirit-thc associate of Calhoun and
McDu!Iie, and Hayne and Turnbull-in the ell
joymcnt of health and Il yet vigorous constitu-
lion-at midnight, by Il collision on the waters
of the Gulf of Mexico has gone down beneath
the waves to rise no more. Let a Curtain be
drawn over the narrowing scene. And in con.
sdcraion of these atilicting dispensations of
Providence; he it
Resolre'', That in the death of Langdon
Cheves, Andrew Pckens Butler, and james
Hamilton, the State of South Carolina has been
called upon to mourn three OF her most distn-
guishcd sons, each Of whom, in his day and gen.
Grafton, had performed good service, not on y to
the State in which he lived, but to the whole
country.
Resotrea, That while we express our sorrow
at this public loss, and record our high appre-
citation of their private worth, we caunot but
sympathize with each of their afflicted families
in their melancholy bereavement.
ReSolred, That the Clerks of the Senate and
of the House of Representatives be charged with
the duty of transmitting to the respective tami-
lies Of the deceased statesmen copy OF this
preamble and these resolutions.
Sundry reports from committees were receiv-
ed; which were ordered for consideration to-
murrOw.
On motion of Mr.. Dudley, the Senate adjourn
ed Mt > D. H.