Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-02-24
REMARKS OF Mr.. LYONS, DIVA, IN THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES, THE lSH..OF FEBRUARY,
ON THE DEATH OF Mr. GARRETT.


REPRESENTATIVES, THE 1SH..0F FEBRUARY,
ON THE DEATH OF Mr.. GARRETT.
Mr. LYONS SAID:
At the request of my honorable colleagues from Vir-
GINA have to perform this morning painful as well
as melancholy task-one which, am sure, would have
been assigned to any other member OF the delegation
il capacity had been the criterion OF selection.
Oas little week has scarcely passed since The messsn
ger OF death startled by the dtm1nd OF victim for
Ihe grave whose insatae appetite was uneatlshed BY
the hecatJmbs of the good and gallant men who have
been sacrificed the hooch of tns horrible war; and
in an instant he had time to say "iarewel" to u.s.
his associates stlnding around him hereto inter one
asprat on safe deverance OF bis country from
the terrible ordeal through which she is now passing
or to bestoW parting benedcion upon The loved ones
Who nestle around the hcarthstCne IN his distant home
the manly form Of Wilcox disappeared, TO DO
seen on ear.h no more; and ere We have become ac-
customed to contemplate his vacant seat without sigb
the i'm messenger mas reappeared With new demands
and having robbed the West OF one Of her noblest son
wi mercess eIacness, he stretches hs icy hand to
the East, and the accomplished Garnett pales and
Withers and expires in his grasp. Relentless agent Of
an Om-ipotert memorable decree when viii you reap
pear among US WATCH of who now mourns over the
bier o. cur os friend will be the victim of your next de-
m.nd Wbo,e hearth stone will you shiver nsIti trust
that all may escape and that those entitled to return
may reassembls in health, and would to God could
add, in peace.
Mr.. Garnett bad been in lI-heslth for several
weeks, bu: no apprehension for bis life was en-
tertaned by himself his friends, unIil very shOrI
time before his DEATH and he continued his attendance
upon this House. We oil know, until about fort
night ei CO. when he left this city IN company with Biz
loTelJ and devoted wife, in the hope and expectation
that under tho Influence OF her kind nurture and the
quiet Of his own home, bis health would be econ re-
ored The cay before he left here, WSct TO him, as
ne at in that now sea with his head bent down
on his sk and expressed 10 him my regret at his in
disposition when he replied, 81 am very unWell, but
shall 70 home with my wife tomorrow morEing and try
10 atom this lever and return before this session is
The session is over but he has not returned Aas in
deed his session here is aud every heart in this
responds with conscious pang when announces that
he never will return The lever was stopped but the
chill which succeeded it will not cease-t the chill Of
death lie departed this life at his own home in the
county OF Essex the l4h day of this month in the
forty third year OF bis age Mr. Grnett was no
ordinary man. He graduated with much distioo-
ton boh in Law and Belle Lsttres At the Uni
yersity of Virginia, and returned home to practice
the Law; but his people, approaching bis talent
and learning, called him from the srduous path
of a Profession, which admits Of no divided sway,
TO the equsy perhaps difficult duty of states
man-nos oil tbs politician, ar Speaker, who as
he acquires his place by palserng with the people ats
uneasy in it. lest puff of the pcpus- breath may blow
i'm out of it-bul Of stetesman, and elected him to
the Convention which formed the present Constitution
OF Virginia He subsequently elected for several
successvs years to the Legislature OF Virginia aud then
tbrcs elected 10 the Congress of the United States
He also for many years Visitor Of the University
of V.rgina and in each of these gtatoEs he vas dis
tnRushed for his learning aud ability An honored
colleague who siS near me- informs me that his s:r-
vices az Visitor OF tue University we're emnenty ustfd
UnnAueneed by passion for notoreiy, that in-
f nifty of little minds Mr. Garrett devoted himself TO
those higher and more solid attanments, which make
satesmsn as well IS q scholar profound thinker and
an able oebater and bis reputation increased with his
wars and each new trial Of his strength and il it had
pleased God 10 spare his lie, doubt not that his native
State would have bestowed her highest honors upon
him. But he was not merely Virginian. he was
Southern man. devoted TO the honor, the INTEREST," the
Constitutional rights of the South. Bred in the tohoN
of Smith, Say Jefferson, George Mason, Calhoun Ran.
dolph aud TezeWe be regarded Government only az
means Of protecting the liberty and promoting
the happiness OF the psope-not the end TO be attain
ed or an idol to be Norshppsd and he therefore
strict adher,nt Of the Constitution aud an ardent ~
well as able advocate OF the rights and political prsci
Ties OF the South; and OF his last well ablest
efforts in the Congress of the United States re-
view of the conduct Of the North and prediction OF
the separation which has occurred.
The loss of such statesman at such time 10 =
national calamity. While the State aud nation, how
ever, mourn his loss how much more deeply is it Ia
mented in his family circle. OF spotesS integrity aod
kind and gentle nature, he was exemplary, as bu3oand
father kinsman. Who shall I'll the aching void in hat
circle and give comfort to his hearbroken wife aud
the dear little CHILDREN, Who cliDging to her knees,
deepen the sgouy by appeals for their fathsr-that
father for whom sh6 abandoned her paterna homo Ito
ceaye ONLY unto him." Such consolation as We can let
US minister to he- but God in time aud religion only,
can he'll her wounds.
"WHoM TO LOVE Is DEArH."-These is said to be ia
Paris at this time very lovely, very aming young
lady VITO is destined by extraordinary fate to go
through she world without bsirg married. Sac Is a
dark beauty, with magnificent eyes, glowing cheek,
lively exrrcssior graceful fSurG in fact, atoge.h