The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1862-01-09

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 he will hereafter
be most gratefully remembered.
There were two important questions,
while he was member of the other
House, on which his name is recorded
for freedom. The first was OF the fa-
nous proposition introduced by Mr..
Wilmot, of Pennsylvania, for the pro.
hibition Of slavery in the Territories.
On this question he separated from his
party, and always firm voted in the
affirmative. Had his voice at that time
prevailed, slavery would have been
checked, and the vast conspiracy under
which we now suffer would have re-
ceived death blow. The other ques-
tion on which his record is so honora-
BILE was the fugitive slave bill. There
his name will be found among the
NOES, in noble fellowship with Preston
King among the living, and Horace
Mann among the dead.
From that time forward his influence
was felt i'll his, own State always for
freedom, and when, at a later day, he
entered the Senate, he became known
instantly as one of our surest and most
foithful Senators, whose determined
constancy was more eloquent for free
dom than speech. During all recent
trials he never for one moment wa
vered. With the instincts of an honest
statesman, be saw the situation, and
accepted frankly and bravelv the re-
sponsibilities of the hour. He set his
face against concession in any degree
and in every form. The time had
come when slavery was to be met, and
he was ready. As the rebellion as
sumed it's warlike proportions his per-
ception Of our duties was none the less
clear. Slavery was also the handspring
of the beligerent power now arrayed
against the Union; therefore, in the
name of the Union, it was to be over
turned. While he valued the military
arm as essential, he saw that withou:
courageous counsels it would be feeble.
The function of the statesman is high
err than that of the general; and our
departed Senator saw that OIL the
ceunsels of Government, even more
than on its armies, rested the great re-
sponsibility of bringing this war to a
speedy and triumphant close. Armies
will obey orders, but it is for the Gov
ernnent to organize and to inspire vic
tory. All this he saw plainly; and he
longed impatiently for that voice-her-
aid of union and peace-which, in be-
half of a violated Constitution, and in
the exercise of a just self. defense, should
change the present contest from a
bloody folly into a sure stage of human
Improvement and an immortal land
mork of civilization.
Such Senator can be i'll spared at
this hour. His simple presence, his
cheerful confidence, his genuine cour.
age, his practical instincts, would help
the great events which are now prepar.
ing nay, which are at hand But he
still lives in his example, and speaks
even from his tomb. By all who have
shared his counsels here, he will always
be truly remembered while the State
which trusted him so often in life, and
the neighbors who knew him so well
in his daily walks, will cherish his mem
ory with affectionate pride. 1t is moi
enough for glory, he has done too much
to be forgotten and hereafter, when
our country is fully redeeMed, his nam;
will be inscribed in that faithful com
pany, who, through good report and
evil report, have held fast to the truth
"By fairy hands their knell is wrung;. .
BY forms unseen their dirge is sung;
There Honor comes pilgrim gray,
i To bless the turf that wraps their clay;
And Freedom shall awhile repair
To dwell weeping hermit there"
In HOUSE, TUESDAY, Dec. 10.
Mr.. BEAMAN. Mr.. Speaker, at tn,
assembling of Congress, on the 4tl
of July last, you found this Capitol, al
also all the public buildings of the city
draped in mourning. You did not in
quirs for the cause of those symbols o
grief; you knew that distinguished
|. Senator, whose life had been devoted
to the services of his country, had theI
recently gone forever from the field o
his labors. Illinois was overwhelmed
with anguish by the untilnely loss of !,
, favorits son. A great Nation, amit
the angry passion and sanguinary striti
begotten by civil war, had paused t
, participate in the funeral rigtss of de
, parted statesman, and TO shed her tear
over the grave Of a patriot.
After recess of less than four shOr
months, Congress has again assembled
and again We learn that seat in th'
/ Senate of the United States has beer
, vacated by the death of one of it
members. And now, sir, the hand o
grief has been laid heavily upon Mich
igan. Suddenly, unexpectedly, AM
. without premonition, the angel of dealt
= came within her borders and elaine,
; and removed one of her most eminen
public men. The Hon. Kinsley
Bingham, late Senator from the Stat
, of Michigan, died during the recess o
e Congress, on the 5th day of Octobe
' last, at his residence in Green Oak, a.
s most instantaneously, of apoplexy.
3 Mr.. Speaker, period oftwenty-thre
: years has elapsed since l first becam
9 a citizen of that State, when ! foqn'
Mr. Rinobam already in public life, an