The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-12-25


bers. Thrice since the adjournment of the extra
session in March last has the great destroyer
knocked at the door of the Senate Chamber,
and on each occasion one Of our noblest and
best has fallen before his fatal shaft. Then
DOUGLAs, BIxoHAM, and BAKER we're nobly com.
batting for the preservation Of the Constitution
and the Union now they are silent; they are
"gore to that undiscovered country
From whose bourne traveller returns -
gone to account to that higher tribunal before
which We all must ere long appear.
Mr.. President, it is my painful duty to an
nounce to the Senate and the country the de-
cease Of my late colleague, Hon. Kinsley s. Bing
ham, which occurred at bis residence in Green
Oak, Livingston county, Michigan, on Saturday,
the 5th of October last.
Ar. Bingham vas born in Camilus, Onondags
county, State Of New York, on the 18th OF De-
cember, 1908. His father was farmer in mod
crate circumstances, but Of high character and
strict integrity. As was usual With the sons of
farmers at that time, young Bingham attended
the dis rct school in winter, and labored on the
farm in summer, until at the age of thirteen
years, he commenced his academical course at
Onondaga Hollow, which was subsequently com.
pleted at Bennington, Vermont, the birthplace
of bis father; after which he taught district
school in his native town, and at the age OF
twenty entered the law Office Of James r. Law
renee, ESQ of Camillus, (now of Syracuse New
York. Although admitted to the bar, am not
aware that he ever entered upon the practice Of
his profession, his taste leading him to agricul.
tural pursuits.
In the spring of 1888, at the age Of twenty.
four, apprecating the future destiny Of the theI
prosperous Territory of Michigan, he selected
it "a his home, and settled upon the farm on
which he continued to reside until bis death.
" ithout money or friends, with nothing but his
own strong arm and indomitable will, with his
young and interesting wife, he chose to carve
for himself, in the midst Of the wilderness, a
home, q name, and . fame. How we'll this was
accomplished, the records of bis adopted State
and Of the nation will answer. He was appOin-
ted the first justice of the peace, the first post
master, and fret supervisor in the township.
He was elected Q member of the House OF Rep
resentatves of the first Legislature under the
State constitution, and was reelected five success
sive years; and during those years was three
times elected Speaker Of the House Of Repre-
sentatives. In l846, he WAS elected q member
of the popular branch of the National Legisa-
ture, and reelected in l845. A Democrat of the
Jeffersonian and Jackson school, and jealous
partisan when the demands Of party did not
conflict with the maintenance of principle, he
won distinction a. q warm and persistent advo-
cate of the Democratic doctrine embodied in the
Wilmot proviso." Opposing under all circum-
stances the extension Of slavery over free terri
tory, he persistently and ably opposed the an
nexaton Of Texas, and the compromise which
both preceded and followed that result.
In 1850 he was denounced by the party lead
ers who had 90 lately delighted to do him honor,
and was defeated in the nominating convention
of his party upon the slavery extension issue
From this date, he became pre-eminently the
peoples candidate, repudiated BY party leaders,
yet proving by the records that he was true to
the principles of his party. In 1854, at the
organization of the Republican party, in mass
convention of the people he was nominated as
candidate for Governor of the State, and trium-
phantly elected. In 1856 he was reelected by
the largest majority ever given to any candidate
in the State. So unbounded was the public con-
6dence in his ability. fidelity and integrity, that
when q vacancy occurred in the Senate of the
United States, in 1859, hs was elected almost
by acclamation.
Since occupying Q seat upon this floor, his
course is known to all. You, Senators, will bear
record that no member of this body was more
highly esteemed for the purity ef his life, the
soundness of his judgment, and his fidelity to
principle. Yet it was neither in the Senate nor
the forum that the virtue and abilities Of Senator
Bingham shone with the most resplendent luster.
There he was appreciated as the brave and able
defender of popular righrs, a. the champion OF
free speech and . free government. But in the
township, in the neighborhood in which he lived,
he was beloved as the kiHd neighbor and the dis
penser of open.handsd hospitality. In sickness
and in health, equally for the high and the low,
the rich and the poor, he was ever solicitous and
considerate. The widow and the fatherless found
in him both sympathy and counsel.
Upon the family circle of bis own home this
blow has fallen with . crushing weight. To q
gentle, loving wife aud two sons, the loss il
irreparable. From the desoated hearthstone
will not attempt to raise the vail of grief. A
loving husband, q fond and indulgent father, hal
been called to higher ard better sphere.
In the death of Senator Bingham the natior
has lost an able and patriotic defender in th'
hour Of it's greatest need, the State q represen
tative in the Senate whose seat can scarcely b.
| filled, and I, friend. Truly the ways of Prov
idence are inscrutable and past finding out
beg leave to offer the following resolutions
"Resolved, That the members of the Senate
from sincere desire of showing every mark Q
respect due to the memory of Hon. Kinsley
Bingham, deceased, late . Senator from tn
State of Michigan, will 60 into mourning b.
wearing Grape on the left arm for thirty days.
| Resolved, That, q IN additional mark of re
spect for the memory of Hon. Kinsley 8. Blng
ham, the Senate do now adjourn.
Ordered, That the Secretary communicat
these resolutions to the House Of Represents
tives."
Mr.. King. Mr.. President, rise to second tn
resolutions offered by the honorable Senator froI
Michigan, and to pay my tribute Of respect I
the memory of a friend whom esteemed whe
be was living, and a statesman whose course
finished and is worthy Of honor.
/ A wise and good Providence hides the fntur
from our view by an impenetrable vail Whe
Kinsley 5. Bingham left this Chamber at the e,
piration Of the extra session of Congress in Al
gust last, be bad apparently as strong hold
life as any now here. I saw him in Septemb<
after, in this city, whittier be had come to advit
with the War Department to facilitate and al
in the organization of the volunteers Of the Stat
of Michigan. He was then full of life and enc
gy, rejoicing in the spirit of patriotism that an
mated the loyal people Of the whole country, az
that the State Of which he was . Representative
had 20 promptly filed her quota of the militaI
force authorized by Congress for the suppressie
. of the extended and infamous insurrection tn
|, still disturbs the public peace. Soon after. whs
, We had both reached our distant homes, the t.
, egraph, which now flashes the intelligence of 4
event at the same moment to all parts of Il
country and almost in the instance OF its occu
renee, announced that Senator Bingham, of Mic
igan was dead: that he died suddenly Of ap
plexy. The gallant volunteers of Michigan,
whose service he was 90 lately active, are in q
: field, prepared in concert with the immense hos
Of brave men from other States to defend the