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

the language of eulogy, l shall allude
but briefly to some of the facts and in.
cidents of his private character and
public services.
The life of the deceased was another
demonstration of the benign and emo
bling influence of our social and politi-
institutions; and his biography repre-
sents points of resemblance to that of
many an American statesman whom
the nation has delighted to honor. He
was born at Camillus, in the county of
Onondaga, in the State of New York,
on the 10th day of December, in the
year 1903. The son of a farmer of
moderate means, he was in his child
hood INJURED to toll, from which he was
relieved only at short intervals, in order
to embrace such opportunities for men,
tai training as were afforded by the
district schools of his native town.
Between the ages of thirteen and
twenty years he received instruction
during four terms at various academies,
acting as teacher himself in primary
schools at intervals in the meantime,
in order to defray the expenses of his
education. At the age of twenty he
entered the Office of James r. Law
renee, Esq, then of Camilus, now of
Syracuse, in the State of New Y ork, as
student at law. | am not advised of
the duration of his legal studies, but he
never practiced the profession. Such
slender materials formed the basis of
the education of man who was des-
tined to become conspicuous in the his
tory of great State, and to have no
small share in the direction of the af-
fairs of mighty nation.
At the age of twenty -four years, Mr..
Bingham with the judgment with which
he was distinguished through life, COM
pretended the unemployed capabilities
of the great Northwest, and foresaw its
glorious future and falling in with the
tide of emigration moving in that di-
rection, he was borne on to Michigan,
where he purchased a parcel of the
primeval forest with the determination
to reclaim, adorn, and make it his home.
Michigan was yet in territorial condi-
ton, and wilderness. The township
of Green Oak, in which he lived
and died was not then even organized.
He commenced life in his new, wild
home, an obscure young man, stran-
ger, and in the capacity of aborer.
He was without money, patrimony,
family position, or influential friends.
He vented that degree of early educa-
ton which was necessary to greatly
distinguish him above his frontier
neighbors. He had abandoned his
early aspirations for professional dis
tinction and fame, and he was content
to pass lis life in modest quietude as
an humble tiller of the soil. But he
had integrity upon which his neighbors
could could rely, and talents and judg-
ment of the benefit of which they
would not be deprived, and without
pretention on his part, he was with
drawn from its seclusion, and his SER
vices were demanded and employed by
the people.
| Notwithstanding the apparent impe-
diments to which l have alluded, Mr..
Bingham, though deceased at com
paritively early age, has rendered more
public services and held more varied
and responsible offices than any other
man of his State, living or dead, with,
perhaps, the single exception of Gen.
Cass, the late venerable Secretary of
State. A pioneer of the wilderness,
he was the first Supervisor of the town
ship of Green Oak. He was a mem.
ber of the first House Of Regresenta.
tives assembled under the constitution
of the State Of Michigan. an Office TO
which he was FIVE times elected. He
was the third speaker of that body; a
position to which he was twice elected.
He was twice called by his constituents
to occupy seat in this House. He
was, in 1854, made Chief Magistrate
of his State.
In 1856, Governor Bingham desired
to retire from the gubernatorial chair
f but the people would not consent to hi,
wishes and he was reelected. The Fl
deity, ability and complete success,
with which he discharged the duties o.
all those responsible trusts, are suffi
ciently evinced by the fact that. in
. 1859, he was elevated to seat in the
Senate of the United States for the full
, term of six years, commencing on the
, 4th day of March of that year. Being
: himself practical agriculturist, his
) sympathies were with the masses, and
he understood their wants and interests
! His long experience in public affairs
and his power of discrimination CAV,
, him great influence with his party and
l with the people; yet he was of qniet
} modest department, and never oficious
In active public life for more than ,
: quarter OF a century, and with the high
est honors of his State conferred upor
! him, he never appeared conscious OF
! claim to leadership. During his long
{ connection with various deliberativt
/. bodies, he rarely delayed legislation b,
e the obtrusion of his own opinions. HI
f was a man of deeds rather than words
r He was emphatically working mem
: Der, ever attentive to the business o
Legislation, and ever prompt to guar,
Q the interests of the State. Possessed
9 of endowments solid rather than snowy
| the distinguishing attributes of hl