The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-02-06
General Assembly of Virginia.
sen ATE.
SATURDAY. Feb,

TRIBUTE TO THE MEMOH1 OF SENhioh hAo-
DICK.
Mr.. TAYLOR. Of Norfolk, rose to ques-
ton of privilege. He said it became his
painful duty to announce the deafh OF
WASHINGTON l.. RIpDICK. He had re-
cciyed from the Governor a communication
announcing the death of the Senator at the
st. James Hotel, in New Orleans, Friday
morning. February 3, at o'clock. He had
died far away from home, in strange CITY,
surrounded by strangers. 1t was so sad an
event TO his heart that the words which
were there engcndcred seemed to cleave to
the roof of his mouth as he endeavorcd to
give them utterance. lie, therefore, Of
lcrcd the following resolutions:
"W hcrcas, the SorrDwful intelligence mas
lust been communicated that WASHINGTON
/. kIDDICK, Esq, a member OF this body
from the Senatorial district composed OF
the counties of Nanscmond, Isle of Wight,
and Southampton. departed this life in the
city of New Orleans on yesterday morning,
after n protracted and painful illness; ana
whereas tho members Of this body desire
to bear testimony to his eminent publ ana
private worth, and to give expression TO
the profound sorrow which they feel:
Therefore,
Resolced /. That in the death of the Hon.
WASHINGTON J.. R1pD1CK the Senate mas been
deprived of the services OF an able and
experienced legislator, the State has lost a
noble and devoted son, and the members OF
this body are called upon to mourn the ul-
timely end of Il warm-hearted and Il gener-
Gus friend, to whom they are bound by the
strongest ties.
Resolced =. That we extend TO his family
and friends assurances OF our profound
sympathy and sincere coincidence in their
irreparable loss.
Resolred 5. That committee of three
be appointed to attend the funeral OF the
deceased.
Resolucd 4. That Il copy of these rcsso-
lutions be forwarded by the clerk to the
family Of the deceased.
ReSOlCca ). That As u further mark OF
respect to his memory, the Senate do now
adjourn.'
Mr.. PESDLEToN, Of Botetourt, in support
of the resolutions, addressed the Senate rs
follows:
&" Mr.. President,-I rise to second the re-
solutions Just offered. a vacant seat ; an
absent face !: IN empty echo when familiar
name is called II sore sense OF freshy-sun-
dcrcd ties IL distress which broodS over
our spirits. and cannot lie diSpclled, testify
10 uS that death has again invaded our
small body, and this time to carry away one
OF the most cherished Of our number. /
duty. The sweet singer of Israel, in the
sad pathos Of his inspired song, has taught
| us that the days Of our age are three-score
| years and ten, and though, by reason Of
strength, we come to four-score years, yet
| is our strength but labor and sorrow, so
soon paSScth it away, and we are gone.
When we sec II venerable patriarch, with
! bent form and trembling footstep approach
| ing the grave, the uncXtinguishable aver
sion which every Scntient being feels toward
| the final dissolution is relieved by 4 sense of
fitness. and death seems then to come rather
| in the gait OF messenger OF rest. But
| in this case we are deprived Of such con-
| solution. Our brother has been cut down
| in the vigor of mature manhood, in the very
meridian his life. in the very midst of his
| usefulness. 1t seems but yesterday that he
| was moving amongst us, clothed in all the
graces Of manly beauty and yet the hand
whose warm grasp we have SO often felt Is
as cold and pulSeless az marble the eye
which beamed with intelligence Is glazed
aud expressionless the voice which
charmed our ears mas followed its echos to
the fir-on' shores Of eternity. This inscru-
table dispenSation seems to me to be The
voice of the Great Author Of all things,
teaching Us the oft-repaated but too Oft
forgotten lesson: "What shadows we are,
ullll w IltC Sil'tNloNS W liNiSilI.
OF the virtues OF our deceased friend it
would seem. Mr.. President and Senators,
almost supertluous for me to speak to you
who knew him 50 well. You knew, better
than can possibly describe them-his love
for Virginia surprising even the love Of
woman-hiS active and intelligent devotion
to his duties IS = member of this body, his
lofty honor, and his knightly courtesy.
May | not say Of him,
None knew him but to love him,
None named hn hut TO praise
1t would, however, be al omission if I
failed to reter to the fact that when the first
bugle sounded in 1861, which called to-
9othcr the sons Of the South to do battle in
the cause Of independence, he promptly en-
listed under its banner, and through all the
Grcarr, cruel years Of the war for its main-
tenance he taltcred not, nor tinchcsl in the
discharge of his duty. But, sir, he is for
ever gone from Us. 1t remains only that
we cherish his memory
st the conclusion OF Mr.. PESDLEToN's
remarks, Mr.. ABEL II. JOHNSON, Of Acco-
nac. spoke as follows:
:" Mr. President, In adding to what has
already been said, so appropriately beauIi-
tied by the Senator from Botetourt, | crave
the indulgence Of the Senate for 4 few mo-
mentS.
knew the Senator from NanSemond Mr..
President, as 4 member of the senate L
knew him as Il member OF the Judiciary
Committee: and knew him in his social
relations. In the Senate aud upon the Jul
dietary Committee, / can bear testimony to
his eminent talents and efficient worth. In
his social relations, that which marked and
distinguished the high.toned Virginia gen.
tlenlan shonc conspicuous among his many
,,,t,,a ff1irl-ty commanded him r., tlD
claims of our admiration and regard. Quick
at repartec, graceful in his elocution, logi-
cal III debate, and uncompromising in those
principles he believed to be right, he would
not fail to win the confidence and esteem of
us all. Day after day, Mr.. President, we
have been watching and hoping for his re-
turn 10 his seat in the Senate; but, sir, we
have watched in vain. The painful and
melancholy tidings have just reached us
from New Orleans that. WASHINGTON l..
RlDDICk is no more
We can scarcely realize, Mr.. President,
through our senses, so sudden, 50 painful,
and yet so truthful an announcement. 1t
was but Il few weeks ago, that we separ;l-
ted at the Capitol for the Christmas hoIi-
days. The pleasing associations of the old
vaucing shadows of the new were rapidly
drawing nigh. The exciting struggle in de-
bate, which were just over, upon the floor
of the Senate, and nothing but the joy Of
the contest and the smiling memories of the
parting hour were remembered. The ful-
ture seemed full of glowing anticipations,
as we stood OH that Christmas eve of 10,
and gazed in the face of the coming year.
Behind us were the deeds and achievements
| Of the past year, rejecting the pleasing as
sociations of friendships, and before us lay
t1,n f,{,, .i,,l i,,s ,1,it
full Of anticipated joys. 1t is Il sad and
nlnlnnrhnl, snonn Mr praSident Ia hnar