Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-01-14
Death of Gen. Quitman


The following eloquent remarks were made by
/ Hon. john V. WRIGHT, in the House of Representa-
tives on the announcement of Gen. QUITMAKs death
Mr. WBIGHT of Tennessee. Mr.. Speaker when
at the commencement of the Thirty Fourth Cons
gress, took my seat on this floor as Representa-
tive of portion of the people of Tennessee found
myself among the youngest members Of that body.
The distinguished man whose death we this day
mourn, though like myself, a member for the first
tire, ranked amongst the oldest and ablest Of the
House Up to that time it had not been my good for
tuPe form his personal acquaintance. had observ
ed with peculiar pleasure his high and honorable
course public man. | had listened in my youth
with eager ear to the words Of my psternal ances-
tor Who like General Quitman, had identified him>
self with the early history Of the Lone Star State in
her struggle for independence, and who had been
associated with him upon the battle fields of Mexi-
co, as he detailed the part which he took in that
memorable struggle part, sir, which entities the
of Quitmsn to place on the brightest page Of
its history. Under these circumstances, and repre-
senting here State adjoining to one represented
by him. it is not strange that sought and obtained
his acquaintance.
By the gentleness Of his manners, and his words
Of kindness and encouragement, he soon won my
WRrmest personal regard and friendship; and it
gives me great pleasure to ado, that many
ions he evinoed that the regard was mutual He
was true friend to young men, and he was fond
of their society. This arose, doubt, cir, partly
from the natural youthful flow of his spirits
partly from fixed principle. II gave him pleasure
to stir up the ardor Of youth and to stimulate the
ambitious minds of the young of the country
10 the attainment of high and honorable ends. On
one occasion when had visited him, in company
with a valuable young friend, conversation
turned on the present and prospective condition of
the country. Wesuggested that crisis had arrived
which required the mature wisdom of age and ex
perence to navigate the ship of State through the
md ha lie fora hiOba
destiny than it bsi yet attained. 1t was then that
understood and appreciate ed his partiality Tor the
young minds of the country. He arose from his
seat, and with esrnestness of manner peculiar 10
himself, said mo SIR their opinions are formed,
their habits Of thought and principles settled GU
are mistaken in your reliance upon the sniquated
politicians of the country. rely for the future,
for the correction Of present abuses and the estabN
lisnment of proper reforms in this Government,
upon the rising generation Of statesmen. 1t has !
been among the most pleasing duties Of my life to
endeavor to nstill proper principles of COVE nment
into the minds Of the young men of the country, |
aud am happy to believe that my labOrs have not
been entirely fruitless."
II is but natural sir, thst sentiments suoh as
these should have more strongly attached me TO him
He won my warmest friendship and entire conf /
denee. Indeed, sir, whilst feel, in common with |
the people of the United States, the great loss
have sustained in his death, my grief is rendered
more intense by the strength of those attachments
At the close of the last session we travelled to-
gether homeWsrds Disease then had nearly done
It's work, and death seemed to have already laid his
cold and olsmmy hands upon him. I was con-
slant companion Of greater part Of hs journey.
thought that thst the good man was fast fail
ing: aud his condition, coupled with my high re-
gard aud admiration for his military, political, and
personal character, induced me to be unTemitiDg
II my attention to him. Several now around me
we're with us. They viii remember with what ap.
regarded his condition. We parted.
As shook his hand upon our farewell greeting, |
ielt that was parting De'er TO see him more. 1t
vas parting, the feeling Of which on my part,
concealed from hun, was OF no ordinary character
thought that it was 8 final farewell, and that ny
riend must soon 90 to that undiscovered country
rom whose bourne traveller returns" Mr.
speaker, how true was that unpleasant PRESENT.