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

The HOUSE Of REPRESENTATIVE
DEC. 10. 1851.
On the reception of the message from the
Senate announcing the death Of KinsIey S. Bing-
ham, Mr.. Beaman offered the customary resolu.
tions, ard eulogised the deceased. Eulogies
we're also delivered by Mr.. Sedg~ick, of New
York, and Mr.. Ashley, of Ohio.
The following are the eulogies Of Messrs.
Granger and TrO~ bridge, Of Michigan:
Mr.. GRANGER. Mr.. Speaker, but little more
than five short months ago, these Halls were
shrouded in gloom, aud echoed the voice of
row and lamenlatiOn for one whom a nation
mourned with depth Of sincerity and a profun
dity Of grief seldom exceeded if ever paraleled
in the history of the country. A great man had
fallen the jurist, the statesman, the philanthsO
pist, and paliiOt had gone down to the grave in
the vjgOr Of his manhood, in the height Of his
usefulness, in the brilliant elimination Of an illus
triOus career t; and We, in common with a sor-
rowing constituency, tearfully deplOred his un.
timely ueath, aud here, beneath the dome of the
nations Capitol. amid the scenes of his labOrs
his trials, aud his cOnquests, paid the last sad
honors to his memory. And now, while yet the
chords Of popular sympathy are vibrating with
irrepressible Totes OF sorrow, they are again
touched by the relentless hand of new bereave
ment. Scarcely have the solemn observances
which honor and love fastened to accord to de-
sarted worth; the heartfelt eulOgiums, the
chauuting requiems. the deeply knelling bells,
the sh,ouded vestibules, the dropping fags
ceased to attest the nations grief; scarcely has
the Oit-recurring tear ceased 10 bedew the cheek
Of mourning friends; scarcely has the tomb
closed upon the lamented Douglas. ere another
los hn ATTN had
was no less loyal; if less honored, was no less
patriotic; if less eloquent, was not less wise in
council, comprehensive IN foresight, tenacious
in purpose, and truthful and ardent in his devO.
ton TO the institutions, the liberty, and honor OF
his country. One, sir, who, ii less a leader, was
no less willing to be led by those great magnets
those most reliable and safest OF guides in all
that pertains 10 the prosperity, the glory, aud
hope of the natiOn-the Constitution and the
Union.
Sir, in eecOnding the resolutions submitted by
nv colleague, l feel warranted in saying that no
member of the Michigan delegation in Congress,
whether in this or the other wing of the Capitol,
entertained more profound respect, deeper
veueralion for the Abilities virtues, and superior
excellence of character of Kinsey s. Bingham
than did he who now essays this feeble tribute
to his memory; and will not fOrbear to add
that no man, whether of that delegation or Of
the many thou sauds of his sorrowing friends out
side of II, has more just occasion TO remember
with gratitude Lis generosity and friendship, or
TO deplOre with sincerity of grief his untimely
death; vet l am constrained to confess thar,
could be permitted to follow my own incina-
tons, would shrink from the discharge of the
melancholy duty which this occasion seems prop
ery to impose upon me; and, mourning him in
l.uv IN Ofh har
to speak his praise. But, sir, represent on
this floor the immediate constituency OF the la
mented Senator, and my obligation to them re-
Quires that should at least, attempt to bear tes
timony to their appreciation OF his worth, and
express in some measure, their grief at his loss
:. lie was their friend, faithful and just to them,
and should permit these resolutions to pass il
silence, feel that should receive, as l would
merit, their unreserved condemnation.
As announced by my colleague, Mr.. Bingham
which in his youth. he Selected S for his tMne home
and which an occupancy of more than quartz
of a century, with its endearing associations. il
touching Incidents its early affections. its tende
recollectioDs. its innumersble joys and delights
had imaged in his heart as
"The spot of earth supremely blest
dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest"
He died surrounded by loving friends, who
aided BY science and skill, eagerly sought first
stay and then to temper the hand OF death; bu
alas! he was at once beyond the aid of skill ali
insensible to the grateful surroundings of HON
and the tender offices OF friendship and affection
His was sudden death, an
unceremonious fate
A sudden rush from lifes meridian joys"
The morning saw him full of life, attentive
his ordinary duties, With hope high, looking fo
ward with bright antciptions to the full fruitio
of a useful and glorious career. Noon brOugf
the dOleful summons which bade him join Wit
quick dispatch
"The innumerable caravan that moves
| To the pale realms Of shade"
The inc xOrable fat would admit of no comp,
stion, and but little delay and to crown th
dire calamity of that woe.ul hour, and render y,
more desolate the stricken hearts of his atteI
dant relatives and friends, the unhappy Senate
ut once into deep and rredeemabe uncOnsciou
ness, as if appalled, and overwhelmed by ii
q rude approach and sorgonean aspect Of the gri
and ghostly messenger.
OF the few brief hours that measured his sta
:, on earth, have neither the disposition nor q
: power TO attempt a description. Their appallir
gloom. their terrible suspense, their anxious O
4 servalions, their useless expedients, their va
. inventions, their swift and agon'zing alienation
!. OF hope and fear, are alike beyond the reach
thought to comprehend and the power Of la
a guage to portray. Upon the minds and hearts
those whose unhappy lot il vas to participate
Y their deeply agita,iDg and melancholy incident
: they have left an impression which neither tin
g nor eternity can efface Compressed within the
II brief space vas almost lifetime of bitter exp
d rience a word of tender sympathy, grateful re
objection. earnest supplication, hoping love, a
u despairing grief May God grant that they o.
20 never know q similar experience, and that &
IS wound theu inflicted may not only be speed
,t healed, but graciOusy sancti6ed to their eterr
lr good.
re He fingered until half past Eve o'clock. a
is then, in the peaceful beauty and accordant no
ancholy Of that autumnal evening, while the b
rays of expiring day. as if in holy sympst
with human SORROW, slowly withdrew behind t
western hills, pausing mournfully
lg on the bridge where Time
IN OF light and darkness forms an arch sublime :"
ne he died died as he had lived, q loyal citize
IN generous friend, hopeful Christian and
ly honest man.
a From the history Of the deceased, which
e: been too fully and clearly submitted BY my c
e league to require further repetition, it appe,
n that Mr.. Bingham was in the broadest and full
d sense of the term a self made man that, pee
IN iarly the architect of his own fortune withG
no the aid of those adventitiOus crcumstant
- which surround the wealthy aud hight born.
- developed and perfected within himself ch
10 acter of pre- eminent worth. and, with no uni