New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-01-30
DEBATES IN The HOUSE.
fourth Day . Proceedings.
NEW ORLEANS, January 9, 1874.
Mr.. Allain Of West Baton Rouge. offere

lHdu we HereDy tender lne heartfelt SVlupd-
thy of the members Of the House of Repre-
sentatives to his mourning relatives.
Resolred, That in respect for the memory
of the deceased member, this House shall
stand ad j)urned until twelve o'clock noon
to morrow; and be it further
Resolred, That "A copy of these resolutions
be forwarded to his bereaved family, as a
mark of our lasting regard for the deceased
legislator. =,
And rose to a privileged question and de-
lvered the following euloey:
Mr.. Speaker and Gentiemen-it i. with
the deepest and most heartfelt regret that
have to announce to yOa the sudden demise
of our late fellow-laborer, the Hon. John
Virgins, of De Soto parish, whose earthly
career has closed since las: we met TO-
gether in this hall.
The honorable gentleman 60 whom ] refer
was born a slave, aud partook OF all the
horrors OF slavery--that detestable institu.
tion, alike demoraiizing to the slave owrer
and the victim. And vet even in that de-
grading servilude, he possessed the esteem
and respect of al! who knew him.
His moral life was hlameless. and, eTeE
while in that sad condition, he was regarded
by all who knew HIM as q most remarkable
man for the b!ameless purity Oi bis life
and 70 say that he possessed but limited
education. il fact that will be appreciated
by many in this House who have them.
selves suffered from the deprivation o: the
facilities they now enjoy.
But since the glorious edlct OF emancipa'
ton was promulgated by our renowned
chieftain, the martyred Abraham Lincoln.
the deceased member spared no pains, no
labor no expense, to improve his mind and
to fit himself for the proud position he Occu-
pied at the time of his death.
Mr.. John Virgins was elected rs Repre-
sentative of the parish of De Soto, N0vem-
Der 4, 1872, and as might well have been
expected from his antecedents, exercised Is
powerful influence among his constituency
as devoted and earnest Republican.
His services in this House need no eulo.
GUM; they are known to you all. IN every
measure that was likely to promote uni.
versal good, whether reform in the expen-
diture of the revenues OF the State, or Ia
fixing and defining the wants and require.
men.s of tie people. or in his vote advo.
eating the material improvement of our
State, his life offers a striking commen.
tary on the reckless and base assertions of
those who falsely assert that the colorod
nan is incapable of intellectual culture.
Born slave, by the exercise of his in.
herent genius and ability, he raised him.
self to the dignifed and honorable position
he held when called to another sphere.
1t has been said that death loves n
shining mark" Among those who were
accounted the friends of the deceased mem.
Der the saying had been fully verified Tor
they showed their regard and their estimate
of the man by sending him. above all
others, to represent thei- interests in this
House.
Before his death he frequently expressed
his utmost faith i'll the great Republican
party, and desired but to live long enough
to see the practical operation OF the civil
rights bill in this State. Ii the Almighty
Father did not comply with his earnest
wishes it was because lie was destined to DE
further advanced in realm beyond the
skies, where the color of the skin is deemed
no impeachment to salvation. Our friend
was sincere Christian, and his conduct.
whether in the home circle or in private
or public capacity, was always governed by
those rules which have been begueathed TO
us in the Holy Scriptures. He died in the
Lord, and the Lord ..siveth his beloved
rest"
Died suddenly. died in ,hc ir:is, OF life
and in the midst Of usefulness, died under
circumstances of peculiar distres. 70 III.
family, friends and constituency.
May he rest in peace.
Speaker Lowell. Ill adiressin. hi. House
in behalf OF the deceased mem Der. and in
behalf Of the immortal principles of the
grand old Republican party. permit me 20
say that thank you. cir. and all efaunch
Republicans throughout these United
States, for their support and advocacy OF
the abolition of slavery. universal suffrage.
and the civi! and political rights of the col.
ored people throughout this broad land.
that to-day |, who was horn a slave in The
parish of West Baton Rouge. can appear
upon the floor OF this House, representing
constituency in the honorable and dignit.uI
character of an American citizen.
Mr.. Speaker in Offering these resolutions
in memory of the deceased member. the
Hon. John Virgins, of DeSote parish. D.!
hope that the adoption of the same viii not
be weakened by my weakness, and that
however apparent may be my imperfec'ion.
| shall not be accused in my eulogy Tor !.
want Of fairness, not found lacking .n coy
oeption and candor.
Mr.. Page, of Ibery.lIe, presented :.e .o!-
lowing resolutions:
WHEREAS, God, in His wisdom. has taken
from among us Hon. Charles Z. Merrill.
Senator from the fourteenth district Of this
State; and
Whereas, Senator Merrill during his short
stay with us, has given abundant evidence
of his integrity as man, his value as
citizen, and his desire faithfully to I'LL the
trust imposed upon him as member OF the
upper house of this General Assem- bly,:
therefore. be it
Resolved by the House of Representa-.
tives of the State Of Louisiana, That in
the death of Senator Merrill the State i,
deprived OF a man whose career OF useful
ness has been thus suddenly cut Oft: be 1T
further
Resolred, That the House Of Representa-
tives do now adjourn out Of respect and as
an evidence of UuY esteem: be it further
Resoiccd, That to the family of the de.
ceased we hereby express our deepest SYM
patty in this their great sorrow. and that
a duly attested copy of these resolutions,
engrossed, be transmitted to them
through his excellency the Governor.
On motion of Mr. Gair the address of Mr..
Allan was ordered to be spread upon the
minutes.
Several notices of bills we're given and a
large number introduced, read second
time and referred to the appropriate com.
mittees.
Mr.. Page, of Iberville offered series of
resolutions, which were adopted, relative TO
the sudden death of Hon. Charles E. Mer.
rill. Senator from the fourteenth district.
On these resolutions Mr., Hahn. q. St.
Charles, said
Mr.. Speaker, it is unusual for !. member
of one house to pass a eulogy on the death
OF a member of the other. But when a man
SO hOnOred and respected in all the walks
of life is SO Unexpectedly removed from US.
it is impossible that should allow this vcs.
olution to pass without sayin. word upon
his career.
Mr.. Speaker, Mr.. Merrill was never n
politician merely for the sake Of partici. !
pating in politics. tie was a man Of high
and noble impulses. and his hear. was warm !;
in the support of ihe cause of the Union.
and in the struggle for the existence OF the |
constitution of this State. When the war |
ceased, he raised himself high in tie great !,
army Of intellect and in the hearts OF tie !
great Republican party. Establishing him.
self in one of the wealthiest and most intel.
igent parishes of shc State he there AMI
then devoted all his energies and all his mind |