The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1862-01-01

there to widen into the fulBess Of p.,S,c, ds,.
Time will not permit even a passing glaucr
at the many public acts ot the deceased Almost
constantly ia the service of the State Of biz
adoption from the hour of its or resnzation up TO
the time OF his death, he has let, the impress of
his energy, sagacity, and presciencc ,.pon nearly
every measure BY which its development, pro
gress, and prosperity have been materially pro-
noted. How justly the people OF Michigan ap
preclated his services, and how mucn they hoped
OF future usefulness from his capacity, integrity,
ard patriotism, Enthusiastically appeared in the
marked expressions Of grief which everywhere
prevailed throughout the length and breadth OF
the State upon the announce ment of his death.
VI the many noble traits OF character of the de-
ceased, Of his rdomitable energy, his persever.
ing industry, his cool and deliberate foresight
and OF the kindness, generosity, and simplicity
OF his private life, much might be said /; but, sir,
there were one or two pye-eminrntly distinguish
ing traits in t's character Of which desire par
ticularly to speak
Ii there was any one virtue which above all
others characterized and dstiC guished the lamen-
ted Senator, it was a deep and unswerving de-
votion to truth. Throughout his active and
eventful life, amid all its trials vicissitudes and
temptations, alike 10 his private walk aud in bis
public career, q candid, honest conviction OF
truth formed the handspring of his action, was
the trusted guide, the Arcaian star, by which
his course was ever ard irrevocahly shaped and
determined. His history as a legislator for the
State of his adoption, as its faithful Governor,
and its hOnored representative in the other wing
OF this Capitol, affords many remarkable and ill.,
terestng illustrations of hs unyielding constancy
iE this particular. But it was in this House,
upon this floor. cir, that this distinguished trait
in his character was submitted to the severest
test, aud it was here that he gave the strong
est proof .f its profound depth and eminent
strength.
His advent here, sir, was in that ominous pc
riod in our country's history when the political
horizon was darkeDng with the clouds of that
fierce storm which, following the acquis ton Of
the Mexican territory, spread widely over the
land, and ragged with terrific fury until tempora-
rily assuaged BY the compromise measures of
1850. Whilst it may be admitted that some OF
its measures were founded in wisdom and JUS
lice, and conserved the interests, the honor, and
glory Of the country. and that. for a time, it
served to abate sectional iealousies and calm
the fury of sectional discord it wi | not be pre-
tended that it has accomplished all that even its
least sanguine friends hoped and prophesied
Fl iom it. That it has sgnaliy failed to accOmp h
the great end, the paramount object for which
it was devised is seen 10 day in the panOplied
hosts that are marshaled for the defense OF this
city, and heard in the roar of the cannon upon
its surrounding hills Yet. sir. question neither
| the wisdom nor the patriotism of those e, eat
| and good men, who, alarmed y the fury OF eec-
tOnal discOrd, sought by this device to avert an
| appTehcnded domestic cOnvulsiOn, and hoped to
settle forever u question which had long aud bit
terly disturbed the peace and harmony of our
otherwise happy country. Neither do l offer
c"rjectur-s as to whs. might have been the COZ.
sequences to the country had there been. lnslead
OF that memorable compr Omise, q firm and
steadfast adherence to the principles and policy
of the lustiiOus founders OF the Government ia
reference to the great subjects involved. dc
not even assert, as 1t seems unnecessary, thai
our friend. in his firm and inaexible opposition Il
the measures Of that justment, may not hav.
erred. 1t is enough for the purposes of this oc
casion to know that he believed himseif right
that he felt, as he expressed himself upon th
| hn,r- that in acting otherwise he won.d Drov,
oetray at once the good faith aud best interest
Of the country.
''who does the best his circumstances allows,
Does well, acts nobiy angels couli no more"
Yet. cir, with such convictions, and sustaine
by the strength which integrity of pu, pose al
ways imparts, the course pursued BY ou
friend in that memorable crisis, involved no OF
binary task it involved no less than the sew
ering of party ties, the sacrifice of his attach
!. ment to a party which, in his conception, had
from the foundation of the Government, bee
the very embodiment Of truth, of justice, 9
equality, and Of liberty itself; it involved tn
rendering up of party friends with whom h
had been happily associated for nearly quarte
of q century, and whom he loved with an ardo
, and faithfuness of which, but a few men ar
capable He knew that those frieEds, who's
, confidence and esteem he fondly, aye passionate
I ly, priced, would become his mOst inveterat
, and relentless foes. He saw their frowns. thei
gestculatioEs of contempt, their looks of hate
and heard their words of bitter derison. Il
knew, too, that retirement and proscriptio
awaited him that his fair fame would beco II
e the sport of hatred and malice, and that the v
{ ais of calumny and detraction would be poure
out upon him with an unspaIing hand.
r But, sir, he rose superior to all these terror
: and, standing erect, in the full strength and dir
e nifty of an honest manhood, he bid defiance I
o the storm Of passion that ragged around hin
aud calmly consigning to the altar bis party all
= glance, party affinites, and party friendship
Z and with them his hope of political advancement
g he dared to be true amid every aurement to b
), false-true to his Gcd. true to his country, an
n true to himself. In all ages of tine world, 81
9 the historian has written in glowing terms, an
4 the poet has sung in heroic ST. aims, of that e,
!. ated courage which enables the patriot soldi.
# to brave the leaden storm and face the cannon
n mouth; but they touch q grander theme an
}, must striae subimer note, when they esss
e the praise of courage like this. Physical cou
r age Sir, man shares with all below him. viii
= moral courage raises him above his inferior
). helps distinguish him from them, and links hi
d With angels.
y To his inaexible loyalty to truth, Mr.. .Bingha
e united the puIest patriotism. While he deep
y senerated the State If his nativity, and low,
Al and honored that of his adoption, rejoicing
their prosperity and exulting in their ever i
ID cressing Opuence and strength, his deepest, b
J. lest aspirations we're for the great Union
st States. Regarding that Union as rich and e
" haustless fountain Of State and individual BILE
,e sings, and as the only source of national safet
prosperity, and reno~n, he gave it far more tn,
mere loyalty: he gave it his purest thous hi
his most earliest ut'ersnces, his best enerpie
, and The warmest and strongest pulsations of
:, heart. UpOL his record here, sir, and ever
where as public man, he has written, in elo
.s ing and imperishable characters, the evidence
!, his incGruptiole fidelity to the Constitute
:. - and integrity of his country, and his consta
- and unreServed devotion to its best and true
= interests. Growing, as it were. with his cou
:. - try's growth. be had witnessed much of
~ unexampEd progress to magn6cence and 7
81 nown. Ii less than fifty years be had seen
'e emerge from comparative obscurity and
come. in all the attributes Of true grsatne:
the foremos' empire Of earth; while yet in Il
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