The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-12-02
THE STATE LEGISLATURE.
The Murder of b. T.. Randolph-Actfon
of the Senate-Specchcs by the Re-
publican Leaders.

COLUMBIA, November 3O.-IN THE SENATE, j.
]. Wright, OF Beaufort, offered the following
preamble and resolutions:
Whereas, The Senate has heard, with the
most profound sorrow and regret, OF tho death
of Hon. Benjamin Franklin Randolph, late q
senator from the County OF Orangeburg, who,
in the prime OF manhood and tul vigor OF IN
to ect, fell. pierced by the bullets OF IN assas-
sin, Oh Friday, the 18th day Of October, 1868.
Resolued, That in his death the Senate has
been deprived OF ole Of its most esteemed and
valued members; of one who, in his private
friendships, was afectlonate and steadtast ;
and who, as public man, was ever the ardent,
bold and outspoken champion of human lib
erty and human rights; who, while ever main
tanning his own dis snlty and self-rcspect. never,
even in the helt Of debate, forgot the courtesy
that was due to an opponent; OF ono who, in
his entire career, public and private, was
representative man Of his time and the people.
Resoloed, That these resolutions be entered
upon the journal of tue Senate. and that copy
thereof, attested by the President and Clerk,
and appropriately engrossed, be forwarded to
tho afflicted relatives Of the deceased, with the
expression OF our sincere syc,nathy and con-
dolence with them in this terrible bereave-
mert.
J.J. Wright spoke as follows:
Mr.. President and Gentlemen OF The Sendtc-
The preamble and resolutions which present
to this honorable body ale presented for the
purpose Of showing that respect which is due
10 our deceased and much lamented member,
the Hon. B. F. Randolph. He was man who
merited respect ID all his actions, not only in
this Senate, but through the whole course OF
his life. Were it deemed necessary, might
give brief history Of his life; but it is enough
tor me to say that there is no person of his age
who has passed away and left briohter record
than he. 1t shows that from his boyhood till
the time ho fell by the hand OF q wicked assas-
SIN his whole life was spent i'll striving to fur
ther the cause OF human progress and liberty.
He was Young man, but one who Was blessed
with superior talents. and, to his honor 1t can
truly be said, that his talents were always en-
ployed in dong good. He seemed always to
have one great object in view, and that was
make them happy. He always met overy per-
son pleasantly, and oven his bltterest oppo-
nents acknowledged that he was man of warm
heart, gentlemaaly de ortment, philanthro-
pist and q scholar. The tone OF all his speeches
was mild and conciliatory. He believed in equal
and exact justice to all men, and from that line
of policy he never devlated. His career as
chaplain in the Union army, as agent OF the
educational department of the Freedmen's Bu-
reau, as a member Of the Constitutional Con
vention, and as mem Der OF the Senate, COM
mends itself, without any eulogium on my
part, to all those who are desirous OF seeing
peace, tranquility and justice established in
our midst, and our common country to be the
barner OF all nations desiring human liberty
and Justice to be meted out to all classes OF
persons. But he has gone; his labors upon
earth have ended. We look around and We miss
one from our midst; yes, we behold vacant
chair. No more shall we behold him there and
hear his strong and firm voice In defence Of
those pure princlples which he always so earn
estly and ably advocated.
When we reflect that he had fallen, there is
a thrill OF sadness that steals over our frames,
in memory of him who has died martyr to
our country's cause. Bnt, while he by the
hand of the assassin has fallen. we rejoice that
the cause for which he died still lives, and
will live as long as time shall last. 1t is a
noble thought to cherish, that when martyrs
die, their cause lives.
'For freedoms battle once begun,
BeQueathed from bleeding sire to son,
Often lost is ever won."
It is not O novelty in the history of the world
for men like the Hon. 3. F. Randolph to
be assassinated, tor there are always those who
are opposed to human progress. equality and
freedom, and those who will resort to any
measures to arrest the spread of the eternal
and immutable principles OF right. The
worlds history shows, that in consequence OF
persons contending ior the right, they have
not only been brutay shot down, but burned
at the stake, and tortured IN every conceivable
way by the enemies OF the cause ID which they
were engaged. But We should ignore that
brute force cannot crush out thought rs 1t can
life; and that oppression and tyranny cannot
cause the true, the loyal and the brave, to
turn aside from the path of duty md rectitude.
Our worthy senator was person who was
very muoL beloved by the people, in consc-
quance Of his untiring labors for their welfare.
He loved tue people, md he loved his country.
I feel assured that if 1t had been made plain
to HIM that 10 go to Abbevlle and talk to the
people, and instruct them in relation to their
dr,tu To iha,I,s ,selzes and tlisi1 tt,nt