Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-05-02
pRocrEDTNes on TEE HOUSE OF REPRESEN

Mr. HARTRIDGE, Of Georgia, offered the following
resolutions:
Rssoysd That this House has heard with deep sensi
hil;y the announcement OF the death OF RoBERF EN-
MErI DIXON, ESQ, late Clerk Of this House.
Resolved That the proceedings Of this House. in rela-
ton 70 the death Of RoBXRr 4. Dixon be communica-
ted to the family Of the deceased by the SPEAKEE.
Resoleed That this House, as further mark Of re-
speet for his memory, do now adjourn.
Mr. PARTRIDGE said:
Mr. SPEAKER--I desire to say but a few words in re-
sponse TO the announcement made by the Chair You
have conveyed to the official intelligence Of the
death Of able, intelligent aud faithful officer OF this
House. But yesterday he was our midst in the full
flush Of youth and health and strength; to-day his
body lies cold and inanimate clay, the light extin-
guished the intellect vanished the spirit fed from its
earthly tenement to appear before the judgmentsea
OF a merciful Creator.
claim il as pleasant, though melancholy, privilege
10 bear testimony, this occasion to the loss which
this House has sustained in the death Of Mr. Dixon.
have known him Familiarity, intimately from the time
and in whatever capacity have known him, whether
in the social relations of private life, in the pursuit of
his profession in the sphere of bis public employment
as member Of the Legislature Of his State, or as an
executive officer of this body, feel that state what
i nut simple Justice when declare that in each and
al Of them, he exhibited capacity for the discharge
Of the duties 6eyolving upon him, which earned him
the respect and kindness Of heart and generosity of
disposition which won him the regard of all with whom be
came 10 contact. No man, sir, Of his age within my
knowledge, in his native State possessed warmer or
more numerous friends; and there was no friend whom
be did not clasp to his very heart and with whom he
would not have divided his last penny or his last crust
Having served with him in the Legislature Of State
can testify Of my own knowledge to the fidelity the
zeal and the intelligence With which be advocated the
interests OF his constituents and Of the whole State
His experience as the Secretary Of our State Senate
Secretary The Provisional C,D.
gres well ted him for the discharge of the duties which
devoved upon him the Clerk this House and every
member upon this door will cheerully accord to him
the merit of having been most efficient faithful and
capable officer.
But sir donOt propose to enter upon eulogy of the
virtues Of him Who, in life was my friend. We can
notrecal him. We cannotgive consolation to those who
viii feel bis loss most deeply The electric flash along the
teegraphio wire has already carried the shock the
hearts Of bis wife and children. His home is dssoate
the light Of JOY and comfort is extnguishcd upon its
hearth The eyes which were looking out for his
speedy coming are dimmed with tears and the voices
which were preparing TO utter words Of welcome, now
give forth only sounds Of amentaton. Nothing can
alleviate the suffering Of those bereaved ones but
Time who, while with hand he cuts down the dear
est objects Of our affections, with the other pOurs the
balm Of consolation into 0ur. hearts
But, sir, we can offer testimonial of our respect
for the memory Of the deceased, aud tender our re-
speelful sympathy to those whom his death has most
deepl, bereayed and for this purpose offer these res
buttons, end ask their adoption.
Mr. CURRY, Of Alabama, said:
Mr. SPEAKER: Having known our deceased III
we'll trust viii be excused for adding my tIi6uiSto
his worth and exceencies touehingy and eloqueAy
portrayed by the gentleman from Georgia. l never
met Mr. Dixon until the Provisional Congress Of our
nlscent Couederlcy assembled in Montgomery and'he
was appointed the Assistant Secretary of that body
His noble face, his manly FORM his frankness his genial
humOr, his intelligence his unsedshness, attracted my
attention and won my esteem. You, Mr.. Speaker have
borne high and cheerful testimony 10 the efficiency and
ability with which he discharged the lboriOus and re-
sponsbe duties devOved on him as an officer of this
House. He possessed vigorous intellect ripe judg
ment, a tender scrsib,ity, warm heart His devotion
to his frerds almost idoatrous. His generosity
made his haul as "Open day 10 melting Charity
His courage ingrAned and constitutional that he
knew no fear and rarely suspected wrong lie had
faults; and who Of US have them not ?-J the grave
cover them But those who knew him in the urreservs
OF social intercourse who have scen have SEEM the
big gather in bis mild black eye, he talked of
the loved ones far away in their Southern home, and
who knew him in the warmth Of his friendship, the
feryor Of his gratitude the ardor Of his patriotism the
nobility Of bis SOUL must be paTdOnei for weeping
an end 50 uniimely, so melancholy.
This solemn event should remind that our lives arc
but vapor and that in the vigor of health and bloom
Of promise, may be suddenly summoned TO give ac-
count Of ourselves unto God Recalling deceased
hiend, let US remember that
Time was,uke us he life pOssest;
And time shall be, that We shall rest.
The evidences OF mortality constantly proclaim in
accents,
"Think, mortal, what 1t is to die"
Instead Of being unprepared, and hurrying almost
into the presence Of the Infinite and 0-
nscient may we make calling and election sure
through faith in crucfed Redeemer, and 50 live that
when toe Messenger calls for US, We may
WRAP the drapery of our couchcs
Abou, Us and lie down TO pleasant dreams"
Mr.. PERKINS, of Louisiana, said:
Mr.. SeEAEER-I can with difficulty realise that he
who minsered this morning at the desk before you has
gone from TO return no more. have so associated
him in my mind with the proceedings OF this body that
his absence Is more than that of mere member
Connected with the Provisional Congress its clerk
and ate Yards in the capacity with this Congress-
be only the link that connected the two bodies
but 10 me be seemed 20 identify and to preserve alive
their individuality from the time when few in number
and chiefly strangers to each other met two years
ago az Montgomery 10 organise n government
Since that time have known him well US a jealous
eOoperaor and confidential participant in all our pro-
ceedings and although often placed in circumstances
calculated to disturb the equalmiy Of any mani have
seen him give way to passion appear other than
The attentive officer and the courteous gentlemen.
But sir, he has suddenly passed from us and although
may honor bis memory aud express our earnest sym
pathy with his family We cannot bring him back There
are few however, in this House. who, as we travel on
ward in AbOrs, will often look up to that del
with feelings Of deep and unaffected regret that his
place is filed by another.
Mr. WRIGHT Of Ga.-Mr. Speaker: Coming from
The State with the deceased il is fit that should min
gle in expressions Of with the eloquent gentle
men who have proceeded me.
One has faen below us in political position but the
full peer Of any member Of this House in all that is
manly, noble and generous in humanity.
His leading traits of character were fidelity, gener
Osty and courage he faithful in all the relations
Of lie-fsithfll as an officer Of this House do not
remember that he ever neglected duty or made mis-
take in his official character He was faithful in his
deserted friend or failed to re-
spond to his cal in the hour Of trouble lie was faith
iul TO bis wife and children in his affections