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

Out the sorrow OF frfenoShlp IS 0eepened when
l think of the loss to our country.
II he did not impress at once by personal ap-
pearsnce or voice or manner, yet all these as
We became familiar with them, testified constant
ly to the unaffected simplicity and integrity of
bis character. His life, so far as it was not given
to his country. vas devoted to the labors OF az.
riculture. He was farmer, and amidst all the
temptations OF an eminent public career, he
never abandoned this vocation, which does 30
much to strengthen both body and soul. More
than merchant, manufacturer, or lawyer, the |
agriculturist is Independent in bis condition. To
him the sun and rain and the every varying |
changes of the seasons are agents OF prosperity. |
Dependent upon nature he learns to be indepen
dent OF men. Such a person, thus endowed, |
easily turns away from the behests of party in |
order to follow those guiding principles which |
are kindred to the laws of nature. OF such
character our friend was beautiful example.
In him all the private virtues cOmmis gled. |
Truthful and frank, he was full OF gentleness
and generous sympathy. He had risen from
humble fortunes. and his heart throbbed warmly
tor all who suffered in any way. Especially was
he aroused against wrong and injustice wherever
they appeared and then all the softer senti-
ments we're changed into an indOmitable frmness
showing that his was one of those beautiful
natures where
s.the gods had joined
The midest manners and the bravest mind.H
1t was this 6rmness which gave elevation to his
public life. Though companions about him hes
itated though great men on whom he had lean,
ed apOstatized, he stood sure and true always
for the right. Such person was naturally en-
listed against slavery. Hir virtuous soul recoiled
from this ny.headed barbarism, which had
entered into and possessed our nationa: Govern
nent. His political philosophy was simply moral
philosophy applied to public affairs. Slavery
was wrong; therefore he was against it-where
yer he could justly reach it-no matter what
form it ttook-wbether of preteDsion or blandish
ment. Whether stalking lordly like Satan, or
sitting squat, like a toad I; whether cozening
like Mephistophles, or lurking like a poodle;
whether searching as Asmodeus, even to lifting
the roofs Of the whole country, he eaw it always,
in all its various manifestations, as the Spirit Of
Evil, and was its constant enemy. And now,
among the signs that freedom has truly triumph.
ed is the fact that here, in this Chamber, long
the sanctuary of slavery, our homage can be
freely offered to one who fearlessly opposed it.
| There was something in our modest friend
which seemed especially adapted to private life.
But had he not been public man, he would have
been at home, in his own rural neighborhOod,
one of those whose influence was positive for
human improvement. He would have been
among those to whose praise Clarkson has testi-
fed 30 authoritatively. 81 have had occasion"
says this philanthropist, "to know many thou
sand persons in the course of my travels, and
can truly say that the part that they took on
this great question-of the abolition of the slave
trade-was always a true criterion of their moral
nature" But he vas not allowed to continue
! in retirement His country had need of him.
and he became a member of the Michigan Le
gislature, and Speaker Of its House. Represen.
tative in Congress, Governor and then Senator
of the United States. This distinguished career
was stamped by the simplicity of his character.
The Roman Cato was not more simple or deter
mined. He came int public life when COM
promise was the order of the day but he never
yielded to it. He was a member of the Demo
cratic party, which was the declared tool of sla-
very but he never allowed slavery to make a
tool of him. All this should now be spoken in
his honor. To omit it on this occasion would be
to forget those titles by which hereafter he will
be most gratefully remembered.
There were two important questions, while he
was member of the other House, on which bis
name is recorded for freedom. The first was on
the famous proposition introduced by Mr.: Viii.
mot, of Pennsy lvanis, for the prohibition of sla
very in the Territories. On this question he
separated from his party, and always firmly voted
in the affirmative. Had his voice at that time
prevailed, slavery would have been checked
and, the vast conspiracy under which We nov
suffer would have received death blow. The
other question on which bis record is 80 honor.
able was the fugitive slave bill. There his name
will be found among the NOES, in noble fellow
,, , ship with Preston King among the living, ant
Horace Mann among the dead.
: From that time forward his influence vas fel
In bis own State always for freedom, and when
at later day. he entered the Senate, be became
. known instantly as one of our surest and mos
faithful Senators, whose determined constanc!
was more eloquent for freedom than speech
During all recent trials he never for one momen
wavered With the instincts of an homes
statesman, he saw the situation, and accepted
frankly and bravely the responsibilities of tn
) hour. BE set his face against concessions in an
degree and in every form. The time had com,
o when slavery was to be met, and he was ready
As the rebellion assumed its warlke proportion
6 his perception of our duties was none the les
e clear. Slavery was. in his mind, the origin an
also the vital part of the rebellion, and therefor
it was to be attacked. Slavery was also tn
n handspring of the belligerent power now arraye
o against the Union therefore. in the name of N
y Union, it was to be overturned. While he va
6 ued the military arm as essential, he saw ths
y without courageous c0uneeie II wOuio oe 1eeott
d The function OF the statesman is higher tha
e that of the general; and our departed Senate
e saw that on the counsels of Government, eve
j. more than on its armies rested the great reepol
J. sibility OF bringing this war to a speedy and IT
st umphant close. Armies will obey orders, b.
'f it is for the Government to organize and to il
g spire victory. All this he saw plainly; and /
Of louged impatiently for that voice-herald of III
le ion and peace-which, ir behalf of . violate
70 Constitution, and in the exercise of a just eel
3. defense, should change the present contest fro
,e q bloody folly into a sure stage of human in
y provement and an immortal landmark of civi
e. ration.
n Such Senator can be i'll spared at this hon
I'd His simple presence. bis cheerful confidence,
IN genuine courage, his practical instincts, sou
ID help the great events which are nov preparipl
70 nav, which are at hand. But be still lives in
" example, and speaks even from bis tomb.
", all who have shared bis councils here, he "
BY always be truly remembered; while the Sta
'e which trusted him so often in life, and the neig
he bors who knew him 90 we'll in his daily wall
g, will cherish his memory with afectiooate pri(
At If not enough for glory, he has done too mo
er to be forgotten; and hereafter, when our cou
nd try ID fully redeemed, his nsme win bs inserib