American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1865-02-01
as though We should remain here forever

Viewed in the light of death and eterni-
ty, of what moment seem these things OF
earth How little and insignificant APP
pear the influences that move as, Could
we interrogate our friend now and ask
which of all the characters we ascribe to
him, brought hin the most favor at the
bar of Heaven, would he not answer that
of Christta, 4, Not the enlightened, use
ful and honored public man-not the pat
riot nor philanthropist, even; but the
earnest. sincere and humble follower of
Christ who is esteemed there.
This voice of warning-this solemn
admonitioR, gentlemen, have been ad-
dressed to US. One Of our number has
been called away, and none of us know
how soon we must follow. Let us hear
ken 10 it, and SO fashion our lives, and
direct our course, that when death comes
even should it come as Unexpectedly as
it did to him of whom | speak, we may,
like him, be fully prepared, and in the
last hour be able to express our perfect
confidence of heavenly bliss.
My friend and father. may | be enabled
to emulate thy virtues and follow in thy
steps And oh. when the stern sum
mons comes, may /, like thee, be found
ready-leaving behind me, as thou hast
done. name which none can censere; but
all must praise,
Mr. Speaker, offer the 70 lowing res
olutions:
Resolyed. That this House has heard
with deep regret, the announcement Of
the death of the Hon. Robert r. Reed,
member from Washington county.
Resoiced, That il his death the Com
monwealth has lost an able and faithful
representative, and this House one of its
most useful and accomplished members
Resotced, That we deeply sympathize
with the afflicted family Of the deceased,
and bear to them the assurance that the
esteem of his fellow members was as fully
merited as freely given.
ReSoiUed That as q mark Of respect to
his memory, the members Of this House
will wear the usual badge Of mourning
thirty days. ........ .. ....
Rssolued, That the Clerk Of the House
be directed to forward copy Of these
resolutions to the family cf the deccas
ed.
Resolged, That out of respect to his
memory this House donow adjourn
The resolutions were read second
time.
Mr.. Quay Mr. Speaker, having been
elected from the same district with Mr.
Reed-a district in which he was widely
known and respectod-it is, perhaps, not
improper that should join with my col
league, who has enjoyed his fellowship
upon this floor, in Offering tribute to his
memory. Though it was not my privi-
lege to be officially associated with him
here, our private relations were such as to
teach me his worth No one, indeed,
think, could encounter him, however
cursorily. in the ordinary intercourse Of
life, and failed to recognize amenities
which went to perfect his character as a
pure hearted christ an gentleman 1t
was as such that | knew him, and when
| was told that the hand Of the Almighty
had rested upon him, felt that a just
and good man had gone to his final re-
ward.
As my colleague has mentioned, he
represented the counties of Beaver aud
Washington in the National Congress,
nnd but brief period previous to his
decease, had been selected to represent
them here As n citizen, legislator, u
christian and friend to the country, he
enjoyed in the highest degree, the conf
deuce and esteem Of their people As q
citizen he was prompt in the discharge
of his civic duties, active in the ad-
yancement of the industrial, educational
and financial interests of his community,
and an earnest and liberal supporter Of
the puplic charities of the day As a
legislator, We knew him to be able and
iucorruptibe He aimed here, as else
whero, only at the efficient discharge Of
his duty, and no member upon this floor
pursued more unselishly than he the in
terest of the Commonwealth aud his con-
stituency. And to his native intellect
aud integrity, his bonevolencc Of heart
and devotion to duty, were superadded
that implicit faith in the divine truth
and constant regard for its teachings,
which embelish the best Of charac-
ters. |.a
In the great struggle now convulsing
the nation, it was his fate to suffer sore
bereavement but the dispeusation which
sealed his senses to its changing arms and
battle-smoko, its triumphs, its burdens
and its honors could have fallen upon no
one reade to suffer and sacrifice to the
uttermost that the right might pre-
vail
1t is impossible that before the close of
the present session, we may assemble here
to look upon another chair, and to listen
again to the announcement that the Des-
troyer has passed again through our
midst, Gould know that the messenger
of Death was already commissioned to
one of US, the dearest wish of my heart
to him would be that he might leave the
world with as pure a record, official and
private, as warm place in the affections
of his people; as little to regret in life
past, and as much to hope in the future,
as had the late member from Washing
ton.
Mr.. Negley Mr.. Speaker, the virtues