The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-09-23
SENATOR HENDERSON, or TEXAS.

We have received copy Of the eloquent address of f.
B. Sexton esq., delivered at San Augustine, Texas,
the occasion Of the obsequies in memory of General j.
Pnckney Henderson We make the following extracts :
To sum up in brief the imperfect sketch of the life
and public services of General Henderson, which have
attempted TO give today two features plainly dis
cernble the chief and controlling elements of his char
acter they are The Integrity Of his purposand the pract
cablityo of has mind No Roman statesman, lin the hap
pest days of the republic citizen public private
in any land--was conscientious in his opin
ions honest in his practices. There those
who have gone further in Analysing distractions
who have made further explorations in the fields Of
science who have made deeper researches into the tones
of history and literature, who have wasted time in
the regions of poetic fancy but there few who have
done in promoting the practical actual good Of
ciey than Henderson. Everything he said did had
some immediate practical end in view. If he made a
speech at the bar it to gain his clients cause not to
enrapture or amuse the jury. If he proposed advo
Gated change in legislation, it TO effect real
good-to remedy present evil If he cspoused a
political measure it to uphold important right
or redress actual or impending wrong In nothing
his practically manifested than in his speeches.
Of which have thus far said nothing. He was elo
quent as every felt and knew who heard him But
his speeches modelled after treatises on rhetoric
or conformed to any arbitrary rules Of eocuton He
spoke he felt. All who heard impressed with his
sincerity 1t was the eloquence of truth in his speeches
which carried all his hearers with him He did deal
in far fetched expressions unnatural figures The hum
blest man who heard him understood what lac was talk
ing Of while the most learned wondered that he had
never before perceived the power Of planncss of Ian
guagc and simplicity and clearness of style
q q
"Ihe last hours Of General Henderson calm and
peaceful To of his friends around his bedside he
sad substantially that though he had made ostenta
tous profession Of religion yet that he had felt in his
heart But amid the love of his friends and his country
men, the respect Of his peers, and the of his fam
ily he has passed away How forcibly does his death
teach us what shadows and what shadows we
pursue He had just arrived at position where his
talents would have been most useful to his country he
was at the very elimination of his honors Yet DEATH
relentless spared him not. While the very necessities
of human existence scA consume much OF time,
should not be taught by this solemn admontion
employ of in preparing to meet the messenger
who may lat an hour when we least expect him
While paying worthy honors to the memory of
our departed friend and brother let it be useful lecture
to u.s. who survive him. on the uncertainty Of human
life and the mutabty Of human pursuits. Death has
recently busy with the great conservative patriots Of
our country Senators, dpomatists and jurists have
been stricken down to the level Of the tomb While wo
mourn their loss and pray for direction from Heaven
In the choice of their SUCCESSORS let not forget the les
son their death SO impressively teaches $500 s
prho boast OF heraldry the pomp Of power, taa@
tit all beauty, all thai wealth eer gave,
Await the ncyjtabe hour, b.
The paths OF glory load but TO the grave" ,.fs...g