Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1864-02-23
G0NFEDEaiTE SrATEs C0NGRESS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
FEBRUARY lSTu, 1864.
DEATH OF HOs. gR. GARRETT.


Mr. LYONS, Oe Va, rose to Announce 10 the
House tho death Of enc Of Tho Virginia Dolcga.
tion-that of the Hon. .MUscos RUSSELL HUNTER
GARNET. Death had again made his appear.
arce in our midst, and GARRETT had fGlian,
and more may fall, Gre we meet again He
hoped he might be pardoacd for saying, in
regard to the friend whose death he an.
nounecd, that he was no ordinary man. lie
was from the county Of Essex, where he died
in the forty-shird year Of his age, on the 14ah
DAY Of February, 1864. Trained to the profes
sion Of the law, he devoted himself assiduOusly Y
to study, and lost no opportunity to avail
himself of every honorable means to rise in
his profession. It was not long before his
people, approaching his talents, called him
from his profession to q more extended field Of
usefulness. He WIS no ordinary politician.
H. rose far above those who fear 10 tread the
the upright and honest path, because they hold
their positions by so slight tenure that they
are liable t. be swept from it By the next
popular breath. IIo devoted himself arpl the
powers Of his mind continuously TO those higher
branches, which were necessary to his success
"A statesman. and his asrgicea were soon
needed in II Mos. important work. He was
sent rs member Of that Convention which
framed the pre2ent Constitution Of bis State
Here it was thnt ne, the speaker, first became
acquainted with him. Soon after. he was called
to represent his people in the Legislature Of
Virginia. From thence ho WAS transferred
to the House Of Representatives Of the United
States. There be was returned on threo sue
cessive'elections. 1t Vas bnta thrice-told tale
to say that he was distinguished for his extra
ordinary talents, learning and ability. lie was
slao ettcTwacd named ns ono Of the Visitors Of
the University Of Virginia, where he was con-
sidered most useful member by his colleague.
Indeed, had he lived, it was not at all unlikely
that, eventually, bis native State would have
conferred upon him the highest honor within
her gift lie was not only devoted to the in
terests Of his own State, but he was thorough
upholder OF the principles of the South
Deeply in,bued with tho principles Of Smith
Mason and Randolph, he regarded the rights
of the Constitution rs the most sacred liberty
of the citizen.
The loss Of such man, at such time and
in such IN ago, we all feel. We all share the
loss Of the influence of his horoc qualities his
lofty, inspiring character. and how deeply do
we luracnt him Int how mnell more ineE-
pressiLly il he latncntod by her to whom he
was the only sclaee, who was the great enjoy.
ment uf his life. Faithful to him. she aban-
doned her parental home aud all her friends
to come with him, and now she is bereft of
him. We may well imagine the grief with
which she garhors to hor tho dear offspring of
their union, who, as thoy cling to her, call in
sssn upon the father who shall never smile
upon them again. Let us minister to her
grief as We may, religion and time alone can
heal the heartfelt wound.
Mr.. LYONS then offered the following reso-
lut;ons: -s
Resolved That VIC have holrd, with deep
sorrow and regret, Of the death Of the Hon.
NJ. T.. II. GARNErr. mca1bcr Of this IIouae,
man Of distinction, learning, ability and
integrity.
Resolved, That in rcGpect to big memory,
tho members Of this House will wear the
usual badge of mourning for thirty deya.
Resolved, That tho Speaker OF this House
communicate 4 copy OF these resolutions %
tho widow Of tho decOaseI and to the Senate.
Resolved, That ~ further mark ofrcspcrt
to tho memory Of the deceased, thi5 Ii msc 90
now I'D iourn.
Mr.. PEnkINs.-Mr. Sreaker-lt ia alwaya
aal II annak nf riohd who has boon taken
from ua ky death. We recall the familisI
presence, We dwell On cur momcnt8 Of plea
snnt intercourse, mud we enleavor N persHndc
ourselves that it is only Ii temporary absence
that separates ue. / feel in this way to-day
ia looking round for the absent colleague VINO
for the last two years, has shared our coun-
ellis, nnd borne with I'D the hoGyy gesp6ns;-
bilitios Of our action; and yoi, sir, the sub3ac+
| manner ard the solemn silence Of thase about
| ME, not less than Tic resolutions on your table,
tel us that death has again entered this i'oase
and taken from us ono Of our i"cmhors. I'as'
! week it Was Wilcox, and now 1t is HARNkrT
who has boon called from us.
! ask, sir, the privilege, in behalf Of h,ui-
eiana, Of saying a few words in honor of hi
memory. 1t was not my good fortune t,
know intimately the deceased until We met il
February, 1862, as members of this body.
| had, however, been familiar With his charac
ter; and, from the period of bis leaving tn
| University of Virginia, with ths promise OF
| brilliant futuIe before him, ! had watched
with interest, his public career. think OF i
now, as if it was but yesterday, and yet, whel
reflect on tho events that have passed
seems as if years had intervened since tu
first meeting in this hall. We'had assembled
nost-of IA strangers to each other, TO inatSE
rate new Government. We CAME itdm dii
ferent sections cf the country, and from w.
| rious pursuits, bat there wes no oIe OF when
the public had larger expectations, or who, il
human Judgment, had greater assurance Of
tIone life of honorable distinction to hWseii
| md useful service to his country, The, flesh
dess aad glow of health gave him. even i
manhood, the appearance Of youth; and
| wss sonlg after acquaintance, and on be-