Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1858-02-11

and the eyes Of al persons present were riveted
upon him whilst dead silence peEvaded the
Emblage.
He observed that SIT vas his melancholy duty
70 announce TO the House the deeease Of his Ia
mented colleague, the Hon Philip DOdFidge,
aud 70 ofieT resolution assuring the friends OF
the deceased and the country at large Of the
sense entertained BY this House Of the loss Il
had sustained In performing this duty, Mr.
Mercer said that 'WeEe he 70 indulge the feeling
he possessed 6f the merits Of his departed friend
he should find himself speedily arrested In in
telIeetuaI power that friend had been surpassed
by few IN this OF any other cOantTy-in intee,Ti-
| " of motive, he was exeeIIed by none, and IN
simplicity Of heart, by no man he had ever
I known"
He then offered the following resolution =
''Res0Ired UHslHiBl0HSLg, That the members Of
the II. Of r. from sincere desire Of shO ring
every mark Of respect due tn the memory OF
Philip DOdriige, late member thereof from
the State Of Virginia, viii go IN mourning by
the usual mode Of wearing Grape round the left
arm for one month"; which resolution was
agreed TO.
He died on the 18th Of November, 1882. aged
/ 60 years The following Is the obituary notice
taken from the American Almanac for that year:
| "Philip DodTidge, aged go years, member Of
J Congress, distinguished lawyer and one Of the
ableSt men in the body Of which he was
member"
His remains were deposited in the Congress
sional burying ground.
| In Philip Dodridge Western Virginia lost her
brightest Jewel, and since his day man has
appeared in her borders who could WOrthily
wear the mantle Of his greatness and probably
never will.
Daniel Webster held him in such high estima-
/ ton ~ invariably 70 speak Of him as one Of the
Iofiest intelects not only Of Virginia but Of the
Nation. He never visited the West, bat he made
il sacred duty not to be avoided, always % visit
1 the home Of his friend, and for this purpose
would leave his direct course to gratify this no.
BILE desire and to pay that homage which genius
never fails to elicit from its cOmpeers well As
from It interiors
| During the last visit ever made by this dis
tinguished Statesman to the West, be visited
the town Of WeIIsburg, where DOdridge had
resided, and II whilst stopping in the city Of
Wheeling and in response made by him from
the pOrticO Of the old United States Hotel IN
this city, called forth by the congratulations Of
our citizens. that he referred with touching pa
thOs and simple elOqnsnce 70 the memory of his
IamcDted friend, which caused the eyes Of many
unused to weep to moisteB aud grow sad
l Although DOdridge was a member Of the
| constitutional Convention Of 1929, We have
purposely RETAINED in this sketch from making
any observations as to the part he took therein,
because his great work IN the labOrs Of that
Convention would have sweIlsd 1t TO an unreal
sOnable length Perhaps on another occasion
we may give a sketch of his labors in that Con-
vention.
Our object in the above sketch has been to
rescue from iorgetfulness and oblivion, some
facts and circumstances in connection with the
life of this distinguished man, and to revive the
recollection Of the old as to the greatness and
power Of one with whom they were in some
degree familiar
! And now, in conclusion, it may be inquired,
had he no falling? In reply we would say,
that no man is perfect. He was subject 10 the
! iDirmities and weaknesses of human nature,
but charity prompts that the veil Of orgetful-
ness should be thrown over the GOllies and frail.
ties of the departed, and therefore, It is that
bury them in the grave to whence he is gone,
'4No farther seek his merits dIseIose
Nor draw his fraitIes from tatir dread sbo5e,
There they alike IN trembling hops TePOs--
The bosom Of his Father and his GCd-"
! ISLAND HoNE P.b 1883