Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1870-05-09
Death of Senator Bland.

presented the following report:
Whereas, James " D. Bland. a representa-
tive in this body from the fourteenth Senatorial
district lost his life by the appalling catas:ro-
Phe in the Capitol, on the 9th instant; and,
Whereas. the deceased had won the esteem
and kind regard Of every Senator by the intel
ligence candor and conciliatory spirit which
he exhibited in performing his official duties,
by his constant cooperation IN all measures
tending, in his judgment, to promote the well
fare alike Of the white and OF the colored race,
and by his earnest efforts 70 draw the two races
into relations Of mutual benefit aud good will;
therefore,
/. Resolred, That this body sincerely and
deeply lament the untimely decease Of this
Senator, and considers his removal from the
Senate at this juncture in the affairs of the
State grave public loss.
. That this body tenders its earnest con-
dolence TO the family of the deceased in their
sudden and sore bereavement, and directs that
the clerk of the Senate transmit 10 shem copy
Of these resolutions.
3. That this body will wear the usual badge
Of mourning for thirty days.
4. That as further token Of respect to the
memory Of the deceased the Senate DO now
adjourn.
Mr.. Marye addressed the Senate as follows:
Senators-When the Senate, on yesterday,
requested me to cooperate with the committee
raised to prepare paper expressive of the
sense Of this body upon the death Of Senator
Bland, you asked me TO unite in proceeding
approved by my judgment and most grateful
10 NY feelings The committee has requested
me to present their report to you, which will
now DO, with a few words which my heart in
sists upon uttering. The deceased was well
known to me before | met him in this Senate.
We served together through the long, the ex-
citing, and important laborS of the CUnSttu-
tional Convention which framed the existing
organic law for Virginia. labored, day by
day, with all the energy Of my mental and
moral being to resist and prevent the political
aims and efforts sought to be accomplished by
Senator Bland and his associates. | had thus
a most favorable opportunity TO observe the
intellectual and moral characteristics Of the
deceased.
And now here, standing as we DO in mental
view Of his freshly made grave, desire to re-
cord my testimony that, amid all the struggles
and trials and temptations Of that eventful ses-
sion, | never witnessed an act nor heard a word
from him unworthy of an honest aud true man,
laboring to achieve what he believed to be pO-
litcally and morally right
The esteem which felt for him then has
been heightened by lis official course and his
personal conduct and demeauor in this body.
While he has asserted and claimed, with
manly but modest courage what he deemed
Just aud expclient for the welfare Of his own
race, he has been consider2te and respectful
towards the views and interests Of the white
race. and we have all been impressed with the
conviction that he has faithfully endeavorel to
promote the true aud permanent welfare Of
both
When such a man is severed from his asso-
ciates By sudden and terrible death, it becomes
US IL pause Il moment to consider his virtues
to testify to his worth, and express our sense
of our bereavement. But shall we read Alright
the lesson sent us in this awful visitation if we
regard only its temporal aspects, however grave
and affecting? Isthere nothing to reflect upon
but the loss of a friend the loss Of a useful
citizen aud public servant? What are the
things Of time aud sense now TO our departed
associate? How soon may all these, for which
we now strive aud toll, cease from us forever
1t is but q few fleet hours ago that our friend
was here, full Of life, and hope, and cXpccta
ton, with the seeming certainty of q long aud
bright career. Where is he now? Amid the
eternal veritics of another world Who can
say at what hour we shall follow him Are
we prepared FOR the solemn and eternal change 4?
Have we, as rational, as immortal beings. given
heed TO this immeaSurabie aud paramount
duty? Do we not realize in such experiences
as confront us the emphatic warning, What
is life 1t is even as a vapor which appcareth
for little time, and then vanisheth away ~
VIII we consent TO occupy our souls with the
objects, the themes, the thoughts Of time, and
fail to seek, TO consider, TO heed, and to attain
, the things which make for our eternal peace g?
Mr. Peadleton then spoke as follows:
Occupying towards the deceased the politi-
cal relation did, it seems 20 me not iuappro-
| pirate that | should say few words on this
/ occasion. Standing here in almost theimmcii-
ate presence of the appalling catastrophe which
I crushed out the lives and manged the forms
. Of so many of Nirginia's most loved sous, with
/ the agoniziug groauS Of the dying still ringing
| in our ears, we are taught 70 forget the ami
/ mositcs of party aud to remember only the
/ duties and the profound sympathies of COM
mon humanity. We are also called upon to
render to the Supreme Arbi,er Of all events
I our devout and heartfelt thanks that in his I'M
bounded mercy tpleasel MIN 10 spare from
/ destruction all the members of the two houses
of this General Assembly save one. That one
was a member Of our own body, who, though
he belonged 10 o caste heretofore without po-
itical rights. and whose presence as a member
Of this body was a strange sight q Nrginiau
eyes, had yet, by his uniform good department,
his inyariabe courtesy and politeuess to all
his freedom from everything like hatred or
bitterness towards the white race. and his in
dependence Of opinion on all political subjects.
50 won upon us to gain the respect-nay. the
admiration-of Us ALL | have always couSii-
cred the late James W D. Bland as "a very re-
markable person. Belonging to a race whose
intellectual capacity has generally been sup
posed TO be extremely limited his past life
spent under institutions and laws which. until
within a very recent period, made education
almost or quite unattainable, and permitted to
share In the cultivating and refining influences
Of polite society only as remote observer IA
Their than participant, his attachments aud
moral elevation were to me truly remarkable
His uniform po'iteuess, dignity, and irdepen-
deuce Of character, won the respect and esteem
Of all.
regard the death Of James W D. Bland as
public calamity. He stood here as the har-
Uiugcr of better feelings between the two races.
lie was the rainbow In the political armament