Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1866-02-23
I'M MEMORIAM!
THE LATE HON. HENRY WINTER DAVIS
Sketch of Els Life and Character.
ADDRESS OF SENATOR CREswEL1.

Veyeu yesteruaga large delegation from this city to
the National Capital Without public call or invita-
ton there was already an unusual crowd of passen-
gers in the early morning train, which, as it was very
soon manifest was mostly composed of the friends of
the lamented statesman, who was to receive a testi-
monlal OF national homage in the House of Repre-
sentatives on Washngton's birthday. Although ac
cording to the programme no part of the House was
accessible before half past ten o'clock there had al
ready assembled long before that hour stnumbers of
persons. and when the doors opened every seat
was Immediately occupied, which was not reserved
for invited guests and hundreds of persons had to
go away unable to obtain admission. Among the
dience therewas large number ofladies.
The gallery reserved for the Diplomatic Corps was
almost entirely occupied by ladies' although there
were several gentlemen, whose names and position
we did not learn, except that of Senior Romero the
Mexican Minister. Among the dignitaries, besides
Senators and Representatives, we recognized Secre-
tary Stanton Judge Chase and several of the Judges
of the Supreme Court. There were also number of
Generals present in uniform, and many other officers
of inferior gra,.es. Although there were over five
hundred seats prepared the floor of the House,
there plenty of ladies and gentlemen noticed
standing. Thus, what the living Henry Winter Da-
Wis always could command, his spirit had also the
power to draw together-a crowded house. The
United States Marine Band, stationed in the ante
room of the Reporters Gallery, executed appropri-
ate music during the time preceding the ceremonies
When the hour arrived, Speaker Colfax called the
House to order and, after beautiful prayer by the
Chaplain of the House and the excellent reading of
the Declaration Of Independence, followed by the
playing of dirge by the Band rose and introduced
the orator of the day in the following remarks:
Ladies end gentlemen:-The duty has been devolved
upon me of ofintroducng to you the friend and fellow
member here of Henry Winter Davis, and will de-
tam but moment from his address, to which you
Will listen with saddened interest
m The world always appreciates and honors courage.
The courage of Christianity, which sustained mar
tyrs in the ampitheatre at the stake and on the
rack The courage of patriotism, which inspired mil
lions in our own land toreaze the historic fable of
CurtluS, and to fill up with their own bodies, if need
be, the yawnlng chasm which imperiled the repub
lie. The courage of humanity which is witnessed in
the pest house and the hospital at the death of
the homeless and the prison cell of the convict but
there is courage of the statesman besides and noby
was it illustrated by the statesman whose national
services We commemorate to-day. lnhexibly hostile
to oppression, whether of the slave American soil,
or Of republicans struggling in Mexico against mon
archical invasion. Faithful always to principle and
to liberty champoning always the cause of the down
trodden. Fearless as he was eloquent in his avowals,
he was moumed throughout a continent, and from
had been ready to perish followed him to his tomb.
1t is fitting, therefore though dying private citizen.
that the nation should render him such marked and
unusual honors in this hail. the scene of so many of
his nellectual triumphs And Ihave great pleasure
IN introducing to YOU as the orator of the day, Hon
J. A. j. Creswell. his colleague in the Thirtyeghth
land.
Address of Senator CresweI.
Hon. J. A. j. Creswell then assembled to the Speak
ers desk, and spoke as follows:
Nh Countrymen:
On the twenty-second day of February, 1882, God
gave to the world the highest type of humanity in the
person OF George WASHINGTON. Combining within
himself the better qualities of the soldier sage
statesman and patriot, alike brave WISE discreet and
lncorruptbe, the common consent of mankind has
awarded him the incompatible title of Father of his
Country, Among all nations and cline thp
richest treasures of language have been exhausted
IN the effort to transmit to poserty faithful record
long letters shall survive and history shall continue
to be the guide and teacher of civilized men. The
guardian of his fame, and the name of Washington
Will ever be held, all the earth to be Synonymous
priv ate life and coeternal with that immortal love
to which reason and revelation have together toiled
strained and guarded by law.
But in the presence of the Omnpotent how nsignii-
can't is the proudest and thenOblest of men! Even
washington, who alone OF his kind could fill that
comprehensive epitome of Gen. Henry Lee so often
on our lips, first in war, first in peace and first in
the hearts OF his countrymen," was allowed ex-
emptlon from the common lot ofmortals. In the 6Sth
year OF his age he tOo paid the debt of nature. The
dread announcement of his demseSped over the land
ing and carrying nexpressible sorrow to every house
hold, and every heart The course of legislation was
stopped IN mid career to give expression to the grief
OF Congress; and by resolution, approved January g.
1900 the I'D of February of that year devoted
national humiliation and lamentation. This is, then,
as well a day Ofs0rrOW as u day Of rejoicing.
More recent calamitieS also remind us that death
is universal king. Just ten days ago our great his
torian pronounced in this hall an impartial Judgment
upon the earthly career of him who savior of his
country, will be counted as the cOmpeer of Washing
ton. Scarce have the orators lingering tones been
mellowed into silence; has the glowing page
whereon his words traced, lost the impress of
his passing hand, yet are again called into the
presence of the lneXorable to crown more illus
trious victim with sacrifical flowers. Having taken
up his telesS body beautiful the dead Absalom
and laid it in the tomb with becoming solemnty we
have assembled in the sight of the world TO do de-
served honor to the name and memory of Henry
Winter Davis native of Annapolis in the State of
MARYLAND but always proudly claiming to he no loss
than citizen ofthe United States of America
We have not convened in obedience to any formal
custom requiring us to assume empty show of be-
reavement. in order that we may appear respectful
to the departed We, who knew Henry Winter Da-
Wis, are not content to clothe ourselves in the
ward garb of grief and call the semblance of mourn
ing fitting tribute to the gifted orator and states
man, suddenly snatched from midst in the full
glory of his mental and bodily strength. We would
do more than bear about the mockery of VICE."
Prompted by genuine affection, desire to ignore
all idle and merely conventional ceremonies and
permit our stricken hearts to speak their spontane-
Gus sorrow.
Here, then, where he sat for eight years as Rep
resentatve of the people, where friends have rooped
about him and admiring crowds have paid homage
to his genius, where legislators have yielded
themselves willing captiveS 10 his eloquence, and his
wise counsel has moulded in no small degree, the
law Of great nation, let us, in dealing with what
he has left US verify the saying Of Bacon, Death
0peneth the good fame and extnguisheth envy"
Remembering that he was man of like passions,
and equally fable with ourselves let us review his
life in spirit of generous oandor applaud what is
good and try to profit by it; and if find aught of
cover it with the veil of charity and bury it out of
sight forever. So may our survivors do for us.
Inc subject OF this address was born on the 10th of
His father. the Rev. Henry Lyon Davis of the Prot
estant Episcopal Church, was President of St. Johns
parish He was of imposing person, and great dig
nifty and force of character. He was, moreover, a
of genius, and of varied and profound learning
o~tly versed in mathematics aud natural sciences,
emlnt, :" classical lore, endowed with vast
aboundlng nth u concise clear, and grace
memory ana gl1teG N"verSatlon, but without
full style. rich and fluent in -vholy incapable
the least pretension to oratory anu from the
Presidency of st. Johns by board of Democra,.
trustees because of his Federal politics; and, years
afterwards he gave his his only lesson in politics
at the end Of letter. addressed to him when at Ken
yon College. in this !acGnic sentence: My son, be-
ware of the follies Of JaeksonisM," n, -- r
His mother was Jane Brown Winter, R4mll OF
elegant accomplishments and of great sweetness Of
disposition and purity of life 1t mi gh be truthfuy
knew her She had only two children Henry Win
ter and Jane. who married the Rev. Edward Syle:
The education of Henry, Winter began, very early,
at home under the OF ms aunt, Elizabeth Brown
Winter who entertained the most rigid and exacting
opinions in regard to the training Gt children bqt
said Il could read before 1 was four years Old,
though much agaiugt my will" When his father was
removed from st. Johns he went to Wilmington,
Delaware, but some time elapsed before he became
settled there. Meanwhile, Henry Winter remained
with his aunt in Alexandria, Virginia. he after
under his fathers supervision. In 1927 his fatherre-
turned to Maryland and settled in Anne Arundel
county. Its quite certain taat the Rev. Mr.. Davis
spent time in charge of Episcopal church in
the southern part of Cecil county and that his child
rem accompanied him, but hayenot been able fix
the date either Of his arrival or departure.
After reaching Ammo Arundel, Henry Winter be-
came much devoted to outdoor life that he gave
small promise of scholarly proficiency. He affected
Nimrod; accompanied always by one of his father
slaves he roamed the country with huge old fowl
piece on his shoulder, burning powder in abun-
dance. but doing little damage otherwise. Whilst
here he much of slaves and slavery and what nc
saw impressed him profoundly, and laid the founda
ton for those opinions which he heroiealy and
constantly defended in all his afterIife ReferrinG
to this period he said, long afterwards, my familiar
association with the slaves while boy gaye grea
insight into their feelings and views. They spoke
| with freedom before boy what they would have re
pressed before man. They were far from indferen
to their condition; they felt Eronged and sighed fo
freedom. They attached to my father andlove(
me- yet they habitually spoke of the day VIXEN Coo
| would deliver them
| He subsequently went to Alexandria, and was SEN
to school at Howard, near the Theological Seminary
and from Howard, he went to Kenyon College, il
| Ohio, in the fall of 1888.
Kenyon was then in the first year of the Presidenc,
of Bishop Mcllvaine 1t was the centre of vast for
ests broken only by occasional clearings, excepting
along the lines of the National road and the OhiC
river and its naygabe tributaries. In this wilder
ness of nature but garden of letters he remained
first in the grammar school and then in the colleg