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

Cap to, hear the close of the late extraordinary
session Of Co. gress. The occasion was the
last meeting OF the Michigan delegation for
conference; SUI lects OF Importance pertaining
tn this uuhOly war were under die cussiOn. when
Mr., Bingham arose and while slowly and firm
ly pacing the floor -uddcnly and with startling
emphasis exclaimed: Gentlemen, am goiug
home, and you need not be surprised to see NE
return with a musket Oh my shoulder; | am
ready when my country calls; gentlemen.
am ready nor" To say that this scene made
deep impr ssion on my mind would hut poor
ly express The thoughts and emotions it awak
ened. shall never forget it, sir; can see it
now see the noble form of the departed
Senator. erect and firmly set see his earnest
gestures, his compressed lips and flashing eye ::
hear the deep and impass.Oned tones OF his
voice, and those glowing. burning words.
- Ready when my Country calls. ready now -
are ringing in my ear aud thrilling through
every nerve. Ready when my country calls,
ready now - in those words sir. uttered in a
manner and under such circumstances as 10
stamp them with the seal of truth. we have an
evidence of the patriotism of our lamenttd
friend which could only have been surpassed
by the sacrifice of bis life upon the altar OF his
country. We have more. sir; like those an
cient words held sacred by the Hebrew hosts.
y.
they proved that he who uttered them was the
true descendant o. an illustrious progeni
tor; that in his veins there coursed no degener-
ate remnant of that same blood which In the
persons of his ancestors urged to deeds OF val
or upon the heights of Bennington that rose
and fell with the varying fortunes of that me-
morable day, and Lounded and mounted
"when rang the proud hurrah and the red aeld was
Won"
They proved too that he was no unworthy
knsman of the heroic Martin Scott, who but a
few brief years ago rang out those same words
upon the mountains Of his native North, and
de6antly breathing them in the fee OF the foe,
sealed their utte rance with his lies blood upon
the illuslrious field of FL Molina Del hey.
Yet more, sir. they proved that he was no un-
beitting representative OF State which has
always responded with unQuestonng readl-
ness to the nations call. and has in tbs hour
of its exigency and peril. in testimony OF its
appreciation OF constitutional liberty and bene-
hcent Government, marshaled beneath toe
standard of national integrity, no les, than
twenty thousand gallant sons, many OF
whom have already testified that under every
circumstance Of hardship or peril, whether III
the labors of the camp or amid the embattled
hosts, their motto is Now and ever ready:
But. sir. am reminded that am exceeding
the limits appropriate and usual to remark
like the present, and will hasten to a conClu
sOn la the death of our distinguished friend
we are again impressvely admonished of tn,
uncertainty OF Life. Verify "u the midst o
lfe We are in DEATH" Like a gallant shiI
that bids defiance to the tempestuOus wave
and treacherOus rocks of hundred seas. ant
braves and cOnquers hundred stOrn.s, TO sinl
beneath the PLACID waves of the embOweret
| bay. tha severed haven still in view, full ant
molly freighied with flushed sails and stream
ing pennanis. SO he sank apparently in tb
plentude Of his strength and III the MOrnin;
Of his usefulness.
| Under any circumstances Of time or Incl
dent. death is an instructive monitor. "a 81
lent but impressive lecturer :" solemnly, il
unutter-d. yet ear. est aud unmistakable terms
aduonishing Us of the exceeding brevity c
life. OF the instability Of wealth and power
Of the certain decay of all earthly greatness;
but when its swift and unerring shafts. Tx
| tho fia-v hnlfs nf Inro- strike down the goo
and strength, the lesson becomes hundr,
fold more Impressive; then, as If enforcln
attention by The increased solemnity and ovel
wbeiming directuess and power OF its .eachin z
it cOnviDces of the absolute nOthingness
worldly grandeur. of the utter vanity OF life
most earnest vcritIes and pointing TO thu
stupendOuS. most sublime, aud cOnsoling trutl
proclaimed by nature and revealed of Go'
that the dark valley is but the vesiibule OF
new and more perfect existence, :. a triumph;
arch through which mans immortal spirit d
parts for higher, a sublimer. and a mol
magnificent country" 1t deduces and deepl
impresses upon our minds and hearts, tb;
other great truth, that to live truly, earnest!
aud glOri0usly, We must die. Truly man hal
10 abiding place on earth.
"who builds on less than an immortal base
Fond as he is, condemns his joys to death"
He is most wise and happy, sir, who, SUI
mitting his mind to the light of such deep
impressive instances of morality as the one v
. now deplOre. learns we'll the true value an
great object OF life, and realizing that TIL
!, life is most lengthy however brief, "wbit
best answers life's great aim" lives with ju
and rational reference to that brighter bett
lif. on high.
Mr. TROwBRIDGE. Mr., Speaker. the remarl
which have already been made would seem
render it almost unnecessary for me to aC
anything more. But my political and perso
> al relations were such to the deceased that
should hardly do justice to my own feelings
; remained entirely silent on this sad occasio
> was one of those who, in the Legislature
: our State, labored zeaIOusly and earnestly
place Governor Bingham in the position in Il
:, other end OF this Capitol now made vacant
his death. While the friends of Govern
Bingham have never claimed for him gre
brilliancy of intellect or great scholastic a
. quirements, they do claim that be possess,
u that thorOughness in investigation, that ia
seeing sagacity, that soundness Of judgmer
: and that honesty of purpose, the loss OF viii
at this time renders his death q national c
}, lamity.
o If there was any one respect in which
was distinguished, it was in the perseveran
n with which he followed out the convictions
, his judgment. wherever they might lea
d Thus, when in connection with the great ma
n of his political friends of the North. he h
J. taken his position against the introduction
J. slavery into the Territories belonging to t
II United States, neither the persuasion f poll
: cal associates and warm personal friends. n
j. the allurements of high political prefermeI
;, nor even the denunciati0n of those assOciai
II and friends-changing into the most implaG
J, bic enemies could induce for one moment
:, swerve from the promptings of bis own jud
is ment. He sald to my iather, here in Washn
= ton, after be had reviewed the whole arg
'. ment, :" have elected my position. su
Il pose the which / shall to day give will CO
n sign me forever to the walks of private Ii
It But my judgment approves it. My wht
It heart il in it; and have yet to learn that
l. am at liberty TO disregard the prompti1gs
e of my mature judgment to secure political pl
ferment, or at thedictates of any body of meI
il This sentiment seems to have been the r
= ing motive of his life; and l regard that
:, as noble example to the young men OF o
e country, showing, is it does, tina, the strict'