The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-12-22

general or special election Is held In any
State, either on the day OF such election
or for ten days prior or subsequent there.
to, unless it be necessary 10 repel armed
enemies of the United States, and any
person violating any OF the provisions OF
this section will be fined not more than
5000 and suffer imprisonment at hard
lsbsr for not less than five years, or Be
deprived from holding any office OF
profit or trust under the U nited States.
The:Spesker laid before the House the
action of the Senate in regard to the
death of the late Senator Caperton,
when remarks appropriate TO the occa.
sion were made by Messrs. Hereford,
Faulkner and Wilson. Of West Virginia,
Goode, Tucker, KassOn and Harden
baugh.
speech OF Hon. Ben- Wilson, OF West
virginia
Mr. SPEAKER:-Une of the most beau
tiful traits in the human character is that
the living mourn the loss OF the dead.
When relatives, or friends, or scqusint-
ances are removed from earth, it forces
upon US renewed realization that man
is born to die; that life is but q span and
that eternity has no end. 1t srouses in
our breasts the feeling Of mans obi
CATION to his God. How impressive aud
sorrowful the reflection that from the
prime Of life and the vigor OF manhood
we may, under the providence OF God, be
stricken down in the twinkling of an eye,
1t verifes the teaching OF divinity that
in the midst of life We are in death.
At aR early hour upon the morning
of the 9th of July last | was shocked
with the sad intelligence, communicated
BY friend, that Senator Csperton was
dead. How sad that solemn announce
ment; sadder perhaps TO me than any
other member on this toor, Tor the
thought rushed upon my mind that but
a few brief weeks before that time,
when protrscted, dangerous and vast
ing sickness had carried me almost 10
deaths door, when my family, physicians
and friends had weli-nigh ceased W hope
for my recovery, even when the an
nouncement of nv death had
been flashed along the wires to my consti-
tuents. remember, ,sh, we'll and grateful
ly do l remember-the deep and anxious
solicituds with which the distinguished
dead, whose loss we mourn here to-day,
fingered at my bedside; well do l re-
member the words of comfort he whis-
pered in my ear, and the tender care
with which he administered To my almost
dying wants. Under the providence of
a merciful God, have been restored 10
health again. But my friendl Oh, nay
friend where is he1 Gone; gone 10 that
bourne whence no traveller returns.
| follow him with my prayers, and be-
seech for him grace and pardon from
just and righteous God.
At six O'clock on the evening Of the
26th of July, 1876, Allen Taylor
Caperton, Senator firm the State OF
West Virginia, departed this life, in the
city of Washington, in the Doth year OF
his age. His disease was that technec
ally known as qlgiHa peetorIs. His sick
ness was OF brief duration and ut no time
regarded dangerous. His devoted wife
was then unhappily confined 70 sick
bed at Richmond Virginia, and for that
reason unable u attend her husband III
his last hours. His son and daughter, how
ever kept faithful watch over their fond
father, and we're hsttered by the hope oI
speedy recovery. Upon the morning of
the day OF his death he was feeling 50
that he advised hIs son ~
attend the session of the House, 10 hear
the speech of An able friend. When the
son returned he found his father sitting
up in bed brushing his whiskers. be
Immediately called to the son to hoist
the window, and Immediately sunk back
on his pillow and expired without a
groan.
We can better imagine than describe
the anguish of those weeping children
and the untold grief and agony that en.
twined itself around The heart OF that
wife when the startling, crushing news
fell upon her ear that one whose very eX-
Istence formed part oi her own Was
called 10 lie down in the cold, damp grave
TO sleep that sleep which knows no wax
ing.
He was born near Union, Monroe
county, Virginia, now West Virginia,
November Il, 1910. He attended school
first in Virginia, then Al Huntsville,
Alabama, then At the University Of VIr-
ginia and graduated at Yale College IA
1882. He afterwards studied law with
one of Virginis;s distinguished jurlsts.
Judge Briscoe q. BaidTIn, OF Staunton,
WAS admitted TO the bar and practlced
his profes ion with ability during the
remainder Of his life. He served as
director Of the James river and ksnawhA
canal. and was for several YEAR mem
Der OF the Virginia Senate aid House
of Delegates. His last Senatorial
term in the Legislature ended in 1860
and IN 1851 he was elected member OF
the State Constitutional Convention Of
Virginia, which passed the Ordinance OF
Secession, aud was afterwards elected by
the Legislature Of Virginia member OF
the Confederate States Senate, IN which
BODY he served until the close OF the war
After the close OF the var he returned 70
his home in the mountains ~ hls ratIvIty,
where, borrowing tue idea from another,
il NAV be said the air Is pure, heaven
serene and God is near. Here be intend
ed to spend the evening OF his life IN hs
professional and private pursuits and IN
the enjoyment Of bis home. he engaged
actively in presenting 10 eStsrn capital
is.s the vast and superior coal and tImb"'
regions Of the south western portions ..
ms state, and 20 his energy and ability
perhaps. a. much ~ - those OF any
other gentleman, are the citizens Of the
East and West ind bed for that de7el-
opment which giveo cheap fuel, cheap
lumber and promise. Of cheap usHspor-
.aIion. But his mission had Tot yet
been fulfilled; hrs people hAd further
need Of his talent, mia experience, he
learning and his purity, and sf'er an
exciting Aad somewhat bitter contest te-
tween other gentlemen for seat IN the
Senate of the Cnitsd States in the winter
of ls74-5, the LagslAlure Of me- State
conferred tbs. hIEu honor upon him.
He was an element Of cOmprOmIss &C.
cep:able 70 all, and the honor was the
more thankfully and grsc,OIsly received
because II came - him uEsOught. In
carly life be Was Wig IN poltics, wa