Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-05-19

at this crisis. He longed to be in the e.
rank. But he was not cipher. He wa Su'
member of the committee on territories in IL "
house Of representatives, and its chairman ~
lates that this dying representative was earnas.
to the last that his vote should be felt for fn
dom. ''Let me know when you wish NV voto
and, though weak, shall be surely with way {,
said the faithful child of Massachusetts IN;
is something for his tombstone, and I sbonIJ
fail in just loyalty to the dead if did NOT me-
ton it here.
As member of this committee he mt HI,
name to report which became at once ~
Iucal event. In the eventful life of an in
Vahd who was here for few weeks only il
ought not to be passed over in silence. Bv n
resolution adopted on the 23d of DecemIor
1861, the committee on territories was -
structed ito inquire iuto the legality and a-
pediency of establishing territorial @oyorr
ments within the limits of disloval states -.
districts" After careful consideration of tb;a
momentous question, the committee renort
ed bill to establish temporary provisional
governments over the districts of countrv ~
rebellion against the United States This
bill assumed two things, which, of coursa
cannot be called in question: first. that
throughout the rebel region the old loyal state
governments had ceased to exist LEAVING no
person IN power there whom we could rigbt-
fully recognize; and secondly, that the con-
stitutiOn of the United States. notwithstand-
ing all the efforts of rebellion, was still tho
supreme law throughout this region. with.
out a foot of earth or an inhabitant
taken from its rightful jurisdiction. AS
suming the absence of state governments and
the presence of the national constitution. tho
bill undertook, through the exercise of CON
greSsiOnal jurisdiction, to supply a legitimate
local government, with a governor. legisIa.
ture, and court; but it expressly declared
that mo act shall be passed establishing, pro
tecting, or recognizing the existence of slave
ry; nor shall said temporary government or
any department thereof sanction or declare
the right of one man to property in another
In 4 succeeding section it was made the duty
OF the authorities ''to establish schools for the
moral andintellectual culture of all the inbab-
itantS, and to provide by law for the attend
ance Of all children over seven and under
fourteen years Of age not less than three
months in each year" 1t was with thrill of
joyful assent that Mr. Bailey united with the
majority OF the committee in this bill 1t was
his last public act, almost his only public act
III congress, and certainly the most important
OF his public life. As record of purpose
and aspiration 1t will not be forgotten.
10 such measure he was instinctvelv
moved by the strength of his convictions and
his sense of the practical policy needed for
the support OF the constition. He had no ten
derneSS tor the rebellion, and he saw with
clerness that it could be ended only bv the
removal OF its single cause. His experience
at the south added to his appreciation of the
true character of slavery, and increased his
determination. He did not live to see this re-
bellion subdued, but he has at least left his
testimony behind. He has taught by what
sign you are to conquer. He has shown the
principle which must be enlisted. Better than
an army is such principle; foriti is the breath
of God.
Mr. Bailey was clear in understanding as
he was pure in heart. His life was simple,
ana ms manners unaffected. His, too were
all the household virtues which make a heaven
OF nome, and he was bound to this world by
loving wife and an only child He was hap
py IN beng spared to reach his own frcside.
Sensible that death was approaching, he was
unwilling to continue here among strangers
and though feeble and failing, he was conveyed
to Fitchburg, where, after brief period
among kindred and friends, he closed his life
HIS public place here is vacant, and so also
| Is ms public place in Massachusetts. But
| there are otherplaces also vacant; in his home,
IN his business, and in his daily life among his
nelghbors, in that beautiful town scooped out
among the wooded hills where he was carried
| hn"L - do ~
o1er resolutions, identical with those
adopted on the death Of Robert Rantonl -. 80
81, hesoiEed, unanimously, That the Senate ,nor,rS
re death Of Hon GoLDsMlTH T. BAILEY, late
sachn"et VI .ng mouse OF representatives from Mas.
p&bbly in this affective bereavement. Ss III
ieSolfed las mark of respect TO tbe ,neuor,. "a
T5e me,a{ mat lHat the senate do now adjourn
senate djourned ''-'- ''''