Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1858-01-26
An Eloquent Eulogy upon the late Senator
Rusk, of Texas.


The following eloquent remarks upon the life
and character of the late Senator Rusk, (Which
re copy from the Congressional Globe, )--were
made by Hon. w. II. Seward, in the U. S. Sem
ate, last week:
Mr. President, in funeral ceremonies it Is
NOT any of those who we're the companions
at the hearthstone of the dead, but some one
who sustained only public relations to him
that is expected to pronounce the custom
ary panegyric. On this ground, should claim
the privilege Of being silent on this occasion II
thong hit that my connection with late Mr.. Rusk
was rightly understood. 1t is true that was
not his kinsman, nor his neighbor, nor even his
political associate. was, nevertheless, attached
to him by bonds strong as the charity that con-
Socrates even those relations But they were
peculiar bonds. Twas his captive, an adversa-
nv overpowered. overcome, aud conquered by
his generosity nmy first encounter with him
here in this field of sectional STRIFE released on
parole, aprlsoner at large, but devoted to him by
gratitude for the period OF my whole life. In
that character follow the hearse which is bear
ing him from our sight Since l must speak,
nature shall have its way, and my utterance
proceeding not from study but from feeling, shall
tell less ofhis great worth than ofmy own great
loss.
All the world knows that Thomas j. Rusk
was brave and heroic, yet prudent and patient
in the camp and in the field. These were the
virtues which distinguished him here, and they
were cief1y the means of his success in the SEN
ate. He knew no fear ofopposition, raised by
either prejudice or passion. de undertook
nothing without first balancing all the chances
of success, and gathering in and combining all
the available agencies necessary to secure 1t
and he maintained perfect equanimity until all
resistance. was overcome AS he was without
fear, so he was also free from jealousy and from
envy. Thus happily constituted, he tolerated
in all others the same fidelity to their char
acters and tho same loyalty to the interests they
represented which he bore to his own instincts
and to the interests cOnfided to his care He
despised art, trick, and cunning, and advanced
always directly towards his appointed end. If
he was sometimes irritated at seeing Injustice,
or Misrepresentation, he corrected his error with
out even waiting for complaint or explanation.
/ doubt whether any setting sun, during his
whole life, ever witnessed his anger.
AS he was manIfeStly unassumiDg and unaf-
fected, so, for aught that could ever see or
hear, he was altogether unambitioIs. He prac-
ticed no fattery. am sure that no sensible
man ever offered him adulaton. He was not,
in any degree, sectional in his policy; but he
aimed always at the advancement and aggrand-
izement of his whole country. Hence, fortift-
cations, Improvement of roads, rivers, and lake
navigation, everywhere within our national ju-
TIsdiction, and explorations and extended navi-
CATION, aud telegraph communication with all
accessible regions without 1t, In every part OF
the globe-theSe we're tho achievements he made
these are the monuments of wisdom and patriot
ism which he has left among us. 1t was in the
studies connected with these measures that my
with him ripened into an ardent
Each of us deplorcd his ignorance
of the regions concerning which we were legis-
lating, and as they seemed to us to be growing
Worldwide we spoke, half seriously and half
of going together to enlarge our
knowledge, ina voyage around the world. but
it was a thing easier to conceive than to execute
and thonghit might never he executed, it was
still pleasant:to contemplate.
q sstsg him last at the late special session of
the Senate, called to inaugurlte new admins
itEation. demanded of him that he should
but who was inoffensive, and a competent and
faithful officer, to be retained in subordinate
post under the new Administration. He prompt
ly responded, pleasantly adding, that he would
make the granting of my request condition of
his own loyalty to the new powers. We sepa.
rated. He went to his own sunny land, and 1
to my home under the genial north star
On the last day of August was reenteringH
the port of Quebec, after voyage ofthirty days
in search of health along the inhospitable coasts
of Labrador. The sympathies of home and
country, so long suppressed, were revived with
in me and was even meditating i;ew labors and
studies here, when the pilot who came on board
tluuuSu I6MSJupST the
death ofthe Senator from Texas My first emo-
lions were those of sadness and sorrow over
this bereavement of a personal friend. When
these had had their time, i tried to divine why
it was, that he, among all the associates whom
honored, esteemed, and loved here, was thus
suddenly and prematurely withdrawn from the
scene of our common lnbors; he, for whom
thought higher honors were preparing and a
fuller wreath was being woven; he, who seemed
to- me to stand monument against which tic
waves of faction must break, fever they should
be stirred up from their lowest depths; he, in
short, with whom,I thought might do so much
and without whom could do almost nothing,
to magnifyand honor the Republic That ques-
ton l could not solve. Icannot solve it now
1t is only another occasion in which am re.
quired to trust, where / am not permitted to
know, the ways ofthe Great Disposer. &
Mr.. President, the teeming thoughts ofthis
solemn hour bring up once more before me the
manly form and beamiDg countenance of my
friend though it is but for that formal parting
" hich has, until now, been denied me. Fare
well noble patriot; heroic soldier faithful states-l
man, generous friend; loved by no means the
least, although among the last Of friends secured
1 little thought that our whispering about tray
els over earth fairest and broadest seas, were
only the suggestions of our inward natures to /
for the sad journey that leads through
the gates of death. do not doubt that for
yourself, death is gain, since the event was mp.