Deati of Ho-t. John Covode,
EULOGIES
BY
HON. WILLIABI   D. KELLEY..........  OF PENNSYLVANIA.
"   NATHANIEL P. BANKS........OF MASSACHUSETTS.
ULYSSES   ERCUR................ OF PENNSYLVANIA.'"   WILLIAM E. NIBLACK.........OF INDIANA.
HORACE MAYNARD............1OF TENNESSEE.
J. LAWRENCE GETZ.........OF PENNSYLVANIA.
RICHARD J. HALDEMAN.....OF PENNSYLVANIA.
JOHN SCOTT........................OF PENNSYLVANIA.
CHARLES SUMNER............... OF   ASSACHUSETTS.
JOHN SHERMAN..................OF OHIO.
SIMON CAMERPION................OF PENNSYLVANIA.
I) EIIY ER En
IN  THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES  AND SENATE,
FEBRUARY 9 AND 10, 18'1.
WAS SHIN G TON:
F. & J. RIVES & GEO. A. BAILEY,
REPORTERS AND PRINTERS OF "'IIE DNIBATES OF CONGR'ESS.
187.








Death  of Hon. John  Covode,
Mr. KELLEY. Mr. Speaker, we have again 1 icau Review, in characterizilng the people of
)een painfully reminded that there is an ap-  Pennsylvania, says:
mointed time to man on earth, and that he is    "They are not marked by intelligence. They are,:onsumed, and vanisheth away as the cloud.  in fact, dull. uninteresting, very slow, and very perWVhen on Friday,.the 6th of January, he left  severing. Theseare qualities, however, which they
hold in common with the ancientRomauns. Andthey
Washington for a brief visit to Philadelphia and  possess also, in a marked degree, one other characEIarrisburg, few of us appeared to have a firmer  teristic of that classic race, the power of organizaIold on life or the more assured promise of a  tion, and through it of command. They have always
-  decided ourpresidential elections; they have always,
rreen and comfortable old age than mylate col-  in their dull, heavy fashion, regulated our economeague, Hon. JOHN COVODE. Descending from   ical policy; theiriron-masters have, in truth, proved
incestors on eiher side whose lives had been  iron-masters indeed, when viewed by other localiolonged beyond the allotted  period, endowed  ties through the rmedium of the protective system by
)roionged beyond the allotted period, endowed  them imposed. Not Open to argument, not receptive
vith a robust and muscular frame, and having  of ideas, not given to flashes of brilliant execution,
mnjoyed singular immunity from disease, he was  this State none the less knows well what it wants, and
appy in the thought that at the expiration  knows equally well how to organize to secure it."
)f this Congress he was to return to private    The author of this paragraph would probably
ife and devote his energies to the promotion   have found little to commend in the character
)f several enterprises   in which his interests  and career of Mr. CoVODE, who was born in
Bud feelings were engaged.  But it was not so  the mountainous wilds of western Pennsylvania
ippointed.  He was not to return to his place   many years before that State had provided comMn this Hall; and the execution of his cherished   mon schools for its children, and whose childpurposes was to be confided to other hands.   hood and youth were passed in toil on a farm
From Philadelphia he went with his younger  and in a woolen mill.  He had not studied the
sons to West Chester, Pennsylvania, to replace  writings of Kant, Fichte, or Hegel, or even
them in the excellent academy in which they   made himself familiar with those of Carlyle or
had been receiving those educational advan-  Emerson.  But, ignorant as he may have been
rages of which untoward circumstances had   of the doctrine of intuitive perceptions and
leprived their father.  Accompanied by his  the body of transcendental philosophy, he had,
wife he proceeded to Harrisburg on the 10th   without these aids, attained such a knowledge
Df January.  He was in the enjoyment of his  of the uses of material nature, and the springs
usual vigorous health, and passed the evening  that animate, irnpel, or restrain men, as made
in cheerful intercourse with friends assembled   him the welcome and trusted counselor when
at its capital frcan the several quarters of his  maturing their grandest projects, of men far
native State. Expecting to take the early morn-  taore learned, brilliant, and distinguished than
[ng train, he retired early and slept, free from   him3self. His letters contaii nio quotations from
pprehension of the dread summoner.  About  classic authors, but are replete with evidence
hree o'clock he was awaked by a severe pain  of his sagacity, insight into the motives of men,
bout the heart.  WVhat wife and friends and   and lmasculine anld matured judgment.
edical skill could do for his relief was done;  Mr.  COODEv  was born in \Vestmoreland
ut in less than two brief hours the strong man   county, Pennsylvania, on the 17th of March,?eebly gasped the dread words, " I am dying'  1808.'lhat his parentage was humble will be
nd passed beyond the sphere of temporal trials  inferred from the fact that his grandfather,
r triumphs.                                   Garrett Covode, a native of Holland, was
A distinguished citizen of Massachusetts, in   when a child  kidnapped in the streets of
he course of an elaborate article entitled   Amsterdam  by a sea-captain, who brought'The Government and the Railroad Corpora-  him  to Philadelphia and under then existions," in the last number of the North Amer- | ing laws sold him into bondage as a " redemp



tioner," in which condition he was held for  three sons by his first marriage, all of whom
some years after coming to manhood, and was  he gave to the country upon the breaking out
subsequently employed as a domestic servant  of the war. George, the eldest, rose by gradual
in the household of' General Washington.  He  and well-won promotion to the rank of colonel,
died in 1826 at the advanced age of ninety-  and was killed while leading his regiment at
four years. The mother of Mr. Covode was a  the battle of St. Mary's Church, in 1864. The
Quaker, and it is among the traditions of her  youngest, Jacob, pined for more than eighteen
family that two of her ancestors, together with  months in the loathsome and pestilential pen
a person naimed Wood, prepared and published  provided for Union prisoners at Andersona protest against the decision of William Penn  ville. He still lives a broken and prematurely
recognizing the legality of African slavery.  old man.  Mr. CovoDE's industry and enterThis protest is said to have been the first anti-  prise had meanwhile secured him an ample
slavery manifesto published in this country.    competence, and with his sons he was ready
Th'e first public office filled by Mr. COVODE  to devote this, too, to his country; and while
was that of justice of the peace "for Ligonier  bankers and capitalists were doubting the
and Fairfield townships," to which he was  propriety of investing in the war loan about
appointed by Governor Wolf before he was  to be issued, the telegraph informed the people
twenty-four years of age.  Then, and in this  that JOIN COVODE had apprised the Secretary
humble office, it was that his neighbors be-  of the Treasury of his purpose to take $50,000
stowed on him the sobriquet of honest JOHN  of the forthcoming bonds.
COVODE. His office, to which angry litigants    He was a member of the joint Committee
were summoned, was in truth a court of con-  on the Conduct of the War. To the labors of
ciliation, in which, regardless of the emolu-  this committee he devoted himself with untirments of office, the judge found his duty and  ing zeal until the 4th of March, 1863, when,
pleasure in adjusting by compromise disputed  having declined a nomination, he retired from
claims between his neighbors and soothing   Congress. Availing himself of the knowledge
their exasperation.                          Mr. COVODE had thus acqtuired, and of his
In 1845 he was nominated by theWhig con-  quick perception of the motives of men, Presiferees of the counties of Somerset and West-  dent Johnson requested him to make a tour
moreland as the candidate of that party for  of observation through the unreconstructed
State senator. The district was largely Dem-  States and report his conclusions and the genocratic and he was defeated, although he  eral facts upon which they were based. But
received several hundred more votes than any  observing the change that had taken place
other candidate on the State or local ticket of  in the views and purposes of the President,
his party. At the next senatorial election he  he soon returned and submitted a report,
was again nominated, and such was his per-  which was never made public, though the
sonal popularity that though both counties gave  House called upon the President for a copy
large Democratic majorities for the general  thereof.
ticket, he came within fifty votes of election.    Mr. CovoDE having rewused to be a candidate,
In 1854 he was nominated for Congress by the  the district was represented by a Democrat,
Whigs of the nineteenth district, consisting of  Hon. John L. Dawson, in the Thirty-Eighth
Westmoreland, Indiana, and Armstrong coun-  and Thirty-Ninth Congresses. Yielding to the
ties. His competitor had been returned at the  demands of his party, he however accepted a
preceding election by a large majority, but  nomination for the Fortieth and was returned
Mr. CovoDE led him  2,757 votes, and was  by a handsome majority, and was, after a conreturned. This was the Thirty-Fourth Con-  test by Hon. Henry D. Foster, also awarded
gress, and he was reelected to the Thirty-Fifth,  a seat in the Forty-First Congress. His influThirty-Sixth, and Thirty-Seventh.            ence was not confined to his county or conOn the 5th of March, 1860, he introduced a  gressional district. It was felt throughout the
resolution providing for a committee of five  State, not only in politics, but in all measures
members of the House " for the purpose of  projected for the development of its boundless
investigating whether the President of the Uni-  material resources.  Having been appointed
ted States or any other officer of the Govern-  to the position in 1869, and conducted the
ment has, by money, patronage, or other im-  campaign that resulted in the reilection of
proper means, sought to influence the action  Governor Geary, he was at the time of his
of Congress, or any committees thereof, for or  death chairman of the Republican State cenagainst the passage of any law appertaining to  tral committee.
the rights of any State or Territory," &c.     In comparatively early manhood he became
Few who were engaged in the political strug-  the owner of the woolen mill in which he had
gles of those days will forget the industry,  been employed when a boy. IHe watched with
energy, and ability with which Mr. COVODE  interest our progress in the manufacture of
conducted the investigation ordered by this  textiles and labored to promote their diversiresolution, or the influence his elaborate report  fication and perfection.  But his mill did not
had upon the public mind. The report was a  offer an adequate field for his activity.  Ile
thorough exposure of the corrupt appliances  took a zealous part in promoting the construcby which the Kansas-Nebraska legislation had  tion of internal improvements by which the
been secured, andwassooninthehandsof every  sea-board should be connected with the then
Republican speaker or writer in the country.    opening West, and on the completion of the
Mr. CovoDE was twice married, and had I Pennsylvania canal engaged largely in the




)usiness of transportation.  He was also a  alone that gives death its victory. It has other
iberal and energetic promoter of the construe-  means of conquest than the shot and shock of
ion of the Pennsylvania Central railroad. On  battle, the murderous affray, the indulgence of
he completion of this road to Lockport, where  the passions, or storm and tempest in the physle lived and superintended his mill, he con-  ical world. Though human passions were extentrated his stock upon the western sections  tinct and men as guileless as the flowers of the
)f the canal and engaged in forwarding to and  field, still the carnage would go on. Death`rom Pittsburg the rapidly increasing freight  would still reap its regular and prolific harvest.
rnoved by the railroad.  About this time he  There are seeds as well as instruments of deatf.
ilso organized the Westmoreland Coal Coin-  They are sown everywhere-in hills, in drills,?any, which has developed the immense de-  and broadcast.  No clime so rugged, no soil
)osits of gas coal that underlie in such affluence  so barren, that it will not bear this fruit. That
kis native hills. By this operation he added   which falls even by the wayside or upon stony
o the wealth of every farmer in the county,  ground is not lost.
ror the army of stalwart men now earning        This is the harvest that never fails. No class.iberal wages by mining and handling this coal  of men escapes.  Our predecessors in these
Is so numerous that it gives them  a steady   classic Halls have been swept away by battaliiome market, not only for the cereals, but the  ions.  The paths of granite and marble that
rminor productions of the farm which will not  lead to the Capitol have been worn away by
bear extended transportation.                 the unceasing and heavy tread of anxious and
Sir. Speaker, what I have said is sufficient  solemn men that from every part of the Union.o show that Mr. COVODE was a man of power  have come here to meditate upon the necessiand a useful citizen.  lIe had long been a  ties and to labor for the improvement and
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church,  preservation of the Government.  Where are
was faithful in all the relations of life, and  they now?  Death has spared but few. Of
his story may be read with profit by the youth   a score and a half of Congresses, perhaps
of the country.  Born subject to those "'twin   more, even now, in the infancy of our Governjailers of the daring heart, low birth and iron  ment, not one luring voice is heard, no reprefortune," and receiving the benefits of but the  sentative remains. The best, the bravest, the
smallest opportunities for early culture, he  noblest of our land, all are gona.  Madison,
mastered fortune, commanded the confidence  Monroe, Adams, Polk, Clay, Benton, Webof his neighbors and fellow-citizens, and se-  ster, Calhoun, MIacon, Douglas, Broderick,
cured for his name an honorable place in his  Giddings, Davis, Wilmhnot, Stevens, Burlincountry's history, and, by originating and pro-  game, are but types of the host that have premoting beneficent enterprises, wrote it endur-  ceded us to the only haven of rest for wearied,
ingly on the hills and in the homes of his native  exhausted, betrayed human nature.
county.  He left a wife and seven children      It is a common event, therefore, that sumto mourn his sudden death.  The results of  mons us to suspend deliberation upon the afhis provident care surround them, and their  fairs of life that we may consider for a moment
sorrkw is alleviated by the confident assurance  those of eternity. That which makes it seem
that he who was so fondly devoted to them   particular with us is that it stole upon us withhas entered upon the rewards that are earned   out our knowledge; swept from our side the
by a well-spent life.                         stalwart form of active and vigorous life upon
Mr. Speaker, I submit the following resolu-  which we relied for help in committee, in sestions:                                        sion, and in society; broke up the quorum of
Resolved, That the House has heard with deep  associates and friends; and left us stunned,
regret of the death of Hon. JOHN COVODE, a mem-  standing in helpless silence, knowing only
ber of this iHouse from the State of Pennsylvania.    what shadows we are and what shadows we
Resolved, That as a testimony of respect to the      Like tie, the  ngel of death hides
memory of the deceased the officers and members  pursue.  Like tiue, the angel of death hides
of this House will wear the usual badge of mourn-  its wings as it approaches.  It is when they
ing for the space of thirty days.             are upon us and cover us that we comprehend
Resolved, That acopyof these resolutions be trans-  the upon u s and cover us that  lley comprehend
mitted to the family of the deceased by the Clerk.    the depth of that shadowless valley through
lecsolved, That the House, as a further mark of  which it takes its flight.
respect to the deceased, do now adjourn...........  How difficult it is to comprehend, in this full
blaze of light and life, that the broad-shoulMr. BANKS. It is a common event, Mr.  dered and stalwart man who stood beside us, his
Speaker, that interrupts the regular course of  voice still ringing in our ears, unceasing in his
legislative business, and calls upon us to reflect  activity, doing no wrong, seeking only the good
upon the loss wve have sustained by the death I of others, should, even while we turned to look
of the late honorable member of the House'upon him, disappear from our sight forever, and
from Pennsylvania, to consider our relations  his spirit by translation pass to another world!
to each other and to the great Author of our    The death of Mr. CoroDE reminds me how
being. No occurrence is more frequent. There   much we depend upon others for the selection
is not a day, not an hour, scarcely a minute  and acquaintance with our most intimate assopasses over us that some recruit or veteran in. ciates. I knew him chiefly through my late
the great army of life does not drop by our  lamented friend, Mr. Burlingame.  He was
side or within our sight.                     the earliest among many active and sagacious
It is not violence or crime, disease or excess  men of the Thirty-Fourth Congress to analyze




his character and accord due honor the sepa-  devotion, unaccompanied by the advantages
rate elements of which it was composed.      of scholarship, than that which his career
Mr. Burlingame was a harmonizer. It was  exhibits. He was, as his distinguished and
his ambition to bring those who should act  eloquent colleague has said, an uneducated
together to understand and know each other.  man; but there are elements of power more
No manl was ever endowed with more of this  important in the management of human affairs
divine power.  Ile appeared to feel instinct-  than polite learning or scholastic education:
ively, not mierely the presence of good or evil  "Knowledge and wisdom, far from being one,
spirits, but to measure with unerring justice    Have oft times no connection. Knowledge dwell
the exact degree with which innocent and    In heads replete with thoughts of other men;
baneful qualities were mixed in human char-    Wisdom in minds attentive to their own.
Knowledge, a rude. unprofitable mass,
acter. lie looked upon the world with the eye    The mere material with which wisdom builds,
of childlhood, but he judged it with, almost   Till smoothed and squared anl fitted in its place
more than mortal wisdom. Without effort and    Doth but incumber where it seems to enrich."
without resistance he allowed its varied char-    Mr. CovODE had this wisdom. There were
acters to be photographed upon his mind; and  few among us who had a larger share of infiu
thus lhe read, as by an unseen light, the secret  ence in public affairs when he gave them hiE
natures of men by whom he was surrounded   attention, or could better impress his con
and with whom he was associated.  He knew   victions upon the masses of the people.
all qualities certainly with a most learned spirit.    Without any of the graces of oratory, hi
It was this purpose and this power which gave  speeches, short, sententious, apposite, ant
him in speech, and still more in social inter-  replete with enthusiasm, never failed to pro
course, the great influence which he wielded  duce the effect which is both the purpose ant
here, and enabled him in another sphere to bring  result of true eloquence-that of challenginf
together unknown and hostile sections of the  attention and working conviction.  His ad
world with mutual satisfaction and advantage.  dresses to popular assemblies were of thi:
MIr. Burlingame was naturally and at once  character: practical, enriched with copiou
drawn into confidential and friendly relations  illustration, pertinent to his argument, neve
with Mr. COVODE, who, in a different way and  above the comprehension of his auditors, an
upon a different class of persons, exercised the  never failing to carry conviction to those
same important and beneficent influence. I  whom he addressed.  The political campaign
shall never forget the delight with which Mr.  that followed the presidential election of 185C
Burlingame first spoke to me of having found  especially those which brought in review th
in his new frienda kindred spirit.  It is strange  incidents of the distinguished administration
that men so unlike in condition, in habits, and  of MIr. Buchanan, gave signal evidence of hi
in cultivation should be so drawn together; but  success and power.
it is the one common touch of nature makes    There was a religious tinge in all his thought
the whole world kin.  No two persons exer-  and actions not unlike that attributed to HIu
cised a higher or purer influence in the Con-  guenots and Puritans, but which gave him
gress which brought them together, and their  somewhat different character.  Though a ster
mutual esteem and friendship ended only with  partisan, he did not counsel extreme measure.
their lives. It would be impossible for me to  A generous policy, enforced with unity an
pronounce a higher eulogium upon the charac-  vigor, represented his theory of wise politic,
ter of the late member of the House than to  action.  When party necessities carried me
repeat what I have so often heard fall from the  beyond this he was a cool, reluctant, if n(
eloquent lips of our common friend; and I am   halting supporter.  It has been said, and
sure no estimate of character could be more  believe with entire truth, that it was due to th
highly prized by his family or friends, or by  direct action and influence of Mr. CovoD
the nmemnbers of the House around me, than a  that Mr. President Lincoln was led, against th
favorable judgment formed under such circum-  advice of some of the most prominent of h!
stances and considerately expressed by the  supporters, to issue the order directing the ir
distinguished man to whom I have referred.    mediate and unreserved exchange of prisonei
The peculiar and prominent characteristics  of war during the latter period of the grem
of' Mr. CovoDE were his simplicity, sincerity,  rebellion. If this be true, no man can preset
and earnestness.  His convictions were clear  a nmore honorable claim to the respect of tb
and strong.  He was necessarily a partisan,  people, without reference to political opinior
because he adhered to his convictions and those  or partisan relations. This view of his chai
who supported thsm; but he was an honest  acter is strengthened by the fact that he nev(
and generous partisan.  With the best oppor-  failed or faltered in support of those measur{
tunidies to judge during the most excited  which were deemed necessary to protect an
periods of our recent political history, I never  preserve the Government and to secure an
observed in him the slightest tinge of malig-  perpetuate the liberties of all its people.
nity, of selfishness, or of envy. There is no  Though we lament his death, we cannot I
character of the heated period of which I speak  unconscious that our loss is his gain.  I
that I recall with more unmixed satisfaction or- exchanges one life for another.  It is not ai
higher respect.                              nihilation, but ascension that he has reache(
There is no better illustration of the power I He will suffer no longer the disappointmer
of good sense, honest purposes, and earnest I which attends the expectation and the effort t




7
make the world virtuous by statute legislation  tion and success in life. They shared in his
or despotic administration.  He has passed  reputation.  His honor was their honor. No
beyond this, to a higher wisdom  and holier  jealousies had separated them. He had ever
existence. He is done with the vanities of  returned to them  the same social, kind, and
life, with all its-                         unassuming friend. His was a nature to mourn
" Reveries so airy, with the toil    with them when they mourned, and to rejoice
Of dropping buckets into empty wells,    with them when they rejoiced. A true type
And growing old in drawing nothing up."  of our republican institutions, he never for a
The death of MIr. COVODE is one of the many  moment lost sight of that great cardinal docevents which impart to all men an unaccus-  trine that ours is "a Government of the peotomed feeling of insecurity. Death produces  ple, for the people, and by the people."
death and calamity begets calamity. The ter-    Suddenly stricken down in the midst of his
rible afflictions which within a few years have  active life, this House has lost one. of its most
passed over the face of the earth, crushing  faithful members, the nation one of its watchempires and States as well as individuals, more  ful legislators, the State of Pennsylvania one
than ever should lead us to recognize our  of its best known and most enterprising citidependence upon the beneficent will of the  zens, and his family a kind and indulgent
Creator of the world. It should teach us as  husband and father.
well that permanent success follows only justice
and truth; that there is but one Spirit to which    Mr. NIBLACK.  Mr. Speaker, I feel that
the world should be subjected-              I ought not to allow this occasion to pass with-'One Spirit, His            out adding a few words.
Who bore the platted thorns with bleeding brows,    Very few persons on this side of the House,
Must rule universal nature."               outside of his own State, have perhaps known
the deceased as long and as well as I have.
iMr. MERCUR. Mr. Speaker, I feel unwill-   When, in December, 1857, I first entered this
ing to suffer this occasion to pass without  House as one of its members I found him here
briefly adding my tribute to a departed friend.  as one of the Representatives from PennsylJOHN COVODE'S life was a striking illustra-  vania, and I soon afterward made his acquainttion of the success which will crown the works  ance. He was then, I think, serving oi his
of an earnest and laborious man. Deprived  second term. He was one of the very few I
in his youth of the advantages of a liberal  then met who are now members of either of
education, he felt the greater need of literally  the two Houses of Congress. Although neither
working his way to enable him to rise to emi-  of us have been since continuously members
nence and to fortune. This he determined to  of this body, yet it has so happened that this
do. Strong physical powers, clear practical  makes the fourth Congress, I believe, in which
mind, and indomitable will all united in im-  we have served simultaneously.
pelling him onward and upward. His was a    Soon after thus first meeting him we were
mind that was not contented to occupy any  thrown together on some tedious and rather
uncertain position. No so-called "conserva-  important committee work, which required
tive" doctrines ever deterred him from pur-  almost daily meetings for many weeks, and
suing the right, as he saw it. Sprung from   which brought us into frequent and unreliberty-loving ancestors, he retained all their  served personal association. That association
notions of freedom, but grafted thereon a  ripened into a rather intimate personal acgreater love, begotten by the spirit of this pro-  quaintance, and from that time to the day of
gressive age.  His opinions once carefully  our last meeting we always met rather as old
formed, no timidity characterized their expres-  neighbors and familiar friends are accustomed
sion.  He followed his convictions to their  to meet than as new-made acquaintances, replogical consequences. Men who united their  resenting different and distant States.  And
political fortunes with his felt a confidence  however much we may have differed in our
that he would continue as he began, and not  political views and party associations, nothturn aside and leave them without a standard  ing of a personally unpleasant character ever
bearer to lead them.                         occurred between us.
Neitherhis accumulated wealth nor his prom-    I have seldom since met him that he did not
inent position in the eye of the nation ever  have some cheerful word to impart or someestranged him from his early and less fortunate  thing quaint and amusing to communicate. Of
associates. Dwelling in the small but beauti-  course it was not in the nature of things that I
ful and retired valley of the Ligonier, in his  should learn to know him here as his friends
native county of Westmoreland, he never  and neighbors at home knew him. I can onld
appeared to desire a home elsewhere. The  speak of him as he impressed himself upon me
rugged hills which surrounded his residence  from time to time as I saw him here. He was
seemed to give strength to his judgment and  evidently a gentleman of well-marked traits of
freedom to his speech.                       character.  He had shrewdness and energy in
When, in obedience to a resolution of this  aneminentdegree. He,too, wasself-possessed
House, I stood beside his coffin, and hundreds  and self-reliant. These qualities all combined
of his neighbors and friends passed before it,  made him at once a valuable friend and a danI saw unmistakable evidence of the esteem   gerous antagonist. He impressed me, too, as
and affection which they had borne toward  a man of a remarkably good memory, with a
him. With pride they had viewed his eleva-  great aptitude for details in all the pracical




8
affairs of life. His cast of mind, too, was emi-  hbow in reverence to that divine will which
nently practical. He had no taste for mere  has thus decreed the time and manner of his
theories.  With him the great question seemed  death.  I also concur in seconding the resoluto be what was it best to do under the circum-  tions which have been offered.
stances by which he was surrounded, and when
that was solved he hesitated no longer. There    Mr. MAYNARD. The request by the friends
are some phases of political life, too, to which  of the deceased to take a part in these obituary
he seemed peculiarly adapted. He was espe-  ceremonies cannot be denied. It is the comcially observant as to the political maneuver-  mon desire of us all, when in the hour of
ings of the politicians of all parties. In such  bereavement we appeal to our fellow-men,
matters he was usually remarkably well in-  be they strangers or friends, in the language
formed. To him I have often been indebted  of the patriarch, to help us bury our dead out
for my first information as to current political  of our sight, and must not be unheeded. The
events which were not yet publicly known.    feeling is as old as death and as wide as
I will not, however, Mr. Speaker, attempt  humanity. Allunite with one accord in grantanl analysis of the character of the deceased,  ing immunity to the grave. The forms of the
nor will I dwell upon any of the incidents of  departed are gently laid away; their memory
his official life. These have already been suffi-  is tenderly cherished.  No man of sensibility
ciently given by others. Sir, it was but the  will vex the sepulcher; and the injunction to
other day-perhaps not a week before his  speak well of the dead or not at all is a precept
death-that on my way to the Capitol I fell in  which antedates Christianity.  Here all rivalwith him on the Avenue, and we came on the  ries cease, all resentments are extinguished,
rest of the way together. In our rather de-  all contentions are hushed. The brotherhood
sultory conversation which ensued I referred  of mortality meet at the common gateway,
to the fact that he would not be with us in the  wide and ever open, through which all, soon
next Congress, and inquired of him how lie  or late, are destined to pass.  Thither our
felt about returning to private life again. He  bewildered footsteps, be they swift or be they
responded with seeming cheerfulness, that he  slow, are constantly tending. The soul is awed
was quite willing to quit Congress for a while,  in the presence of its own appointed doom.
and possibly forever. Referring to his age, he  Izn tempore sum, de tempore loquor, at nescio
said it was getting time he would settle down  quid sit tempus, is the confession of St. Aua little more quietly than he had been for many  gustine; and he miglit have made it, in phrase
years past.  "But," said he, "I have plenty  slightly changed, of the kindred mysteries,
to do at home in looking after my business;  life, death, and eternity, as well as of time.
besides, political matters have not been going  Time is so identified with life, and death with
right for some time in Pennsylvania, and I will  eternity, that in speaking of the dead we unthen have more time to help straighten things  consciously transcend the rules of judgment
up there."  Continuing, he further remarked:  applied to the living, and, passing by the in"'I am good for several years' hard work yet,  firmities incident to the present sphere, dwell
and I am not going to give up politics entirely  with satisfaction and comfort upon the more
if I do quit Congress."                      solid and enduring qualities which seem approHe was then, Mr. Speaker, apparently as  priate to the other.
full of life and of plans for the future as any    It is now almost fourteen years since I first
of us here to-day, and as totally unconscious  met the deceased as a member of this House.
that the relentless hand of death was already  Though not at that time politically associated,
stretche~d out to receive him. You can judge  our relations from  the first were kind, soon
thetn of my surprise, sir, of the shock which  friendly, never intimate. At that day he was
it imparted, when on the wings of the light-  one of the most active and zealous, and I think
ning the news came to us of his death only a  the most effective, opponents of Mr. Buchanfemw days later. No man of all my acquaint-  an's administration from his own State. Not
ances seemed to have a fairer hold on life for  a man of education or culture, as these terms
a few years to come than he. Yet without a  are usually understood, nor yet an orator,
note of warning he has been stricken down.  according to the canons of the schools, he was
From the dust lie came, and to the earth he  what neither oratory nor culture nor educahas returned. As but yesterday he was a part  tion can make; he was a worker, tireless and
of that living, breathing, moving, restless en-  fearless. He had no confidence in the Adminergy we call human life; to-day all that remain  istration, and believed it to be very corrupt,
of him to us is as cold, as inert, and as life-  and therefore moved in the House for a comless as the clay in which he rests.          mittee to investigate its action.  The results
What a fearfill admonition of the uncertainty  were embodied in an elaborate report, accomof human life! How thin the drapery which  panied by voluminous testimony, which proseparates us from eternity! And yet we go  duced a deep and painful impression upon the
on planning, scheming, projecting, as if we  public mind. Justice, I am inclined to think,
had a perpetual lease of life, as if the "eternal  both to him  and to Mr. Buchanan, would
years of God" were ours.                     require the revision of the report by the light
Mr. Speaker, a strong  man has fallen,  of subsequent events. The Administration
another chair is vacant in this Hall, another  was so complicated with the incipient rebelfamiliar face has disappeared from  among  lion, the same characters being conspicuous in
us forever. And we, his survivors, can but ) both, Cabinet officers and rebel leaders, that




it requires great discrimination to decide for  As implying a knowledge of books, beyond the
what of its acts it was responsible and as to  Book of books, of which he was a diligent stuwhat it was merely unfortunate. The time has  dent and a firm believer, the remark is just.
not yet arrived, and if it had this is not the  But in a wider and larger sense he was not
occasion, to pursue the inquiry. And the sug-  untaught. He had a fair knowledge of men
gestion is thrown out merely for the purpose  and of things.  Few could more wisely decide
of the further remark that had Mr. CovoDE  the ends to be accomplished or more judilived no one would have been more ready  ciously select the means for their accomplishthan he to correct any injustice into which he  ment.
might have beenunwittingly betrayed. Of con-    What need that I add a single word touchscious injustice, of intended wrong, however  ing the character of this self-poised and selfbitter the provocation, I think he was inca-  reliant man?  For us who knew him, none.
pable.                                       His kind and genial humor, his unfailing good
During the war, even while not in public  nature, his relish for merriment, and his almost
life, he gave to the Government an earnest and  boyish -fondness for the joyous and playful,
efficient support.  Like so many others of the  endeared him to us all as a friend to be loved
prominent men of that day, he offered his own  and an opponent not to be hated. And when
son a sacrifice upon the altar of the country;  the tidings came so sudden, so shocking to us
and we have all seen his eyes grow dim with  who, as it seemed, but the day before had
natural tears when recalling the memory of  greeted him in the House, that without warnthe gallant boy.  He became satisfied very  ing he had been stricken down, each felt that
early in the contest that we were virtually re-  his own circle had been invaded and one of
sisting the power of Great Britain, and antici-  its most agreeable members taken away.
pated an open declaration of hostilities with  His domestic relations, I have reason to say,
that Government.  Though pained beyond   were unusually affectionate and tender; and
measure to find an enemy where he thought we  the resolution of condolence with the bereaved
had a right to expect a friend, he did not hes-  family, customary on similar occasions, will
ilate about accepting the issue-doubtful and  in this instance carry a peculiar significance.
destructive as it certainly appeared.  He was    His moral character, as distinguished from
ready to stake all he had upon it and to abide  his social and domestic character, has been
the fate of his country.  As might be sup-  summed up by the popular voice in the single
posed, he sympathized actively with the sol-  epithet, "Honest JOHN CovoDE."  Such condiers in the field; often visiting them in camp  temporary estimates of character are seldom
and using great diligence in providing for their  wrong and rarely reversed. AndI feel sure of
wants, and in correcting the many irregular-  being sustained in ascribing to him the attriities incident to the volunteer service, espe-  butes of one of the best-drawn characters of
cially in the earlier years, before either officers  antiquity:
or mnen had become trained to the art of war
or men had become trained to the art of war    " When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and
and inured to its hardships.                 when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me: Because
His subsequent public career is too recent  I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless,
and too familiar for detail.  Certain cardinal  and him that had none to help him. The blessing
principles of action have regulated his course  of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and
principles of action have regulated his course I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. I was
in our legislation.  He believed that the issues  eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame. I was
of the war should be finally settled so as not to  a fatherto the poor: and the cause which I knew not
be reopened for the annoyance and consterna-  I searched out. And I brake the jaws of the wicked,
be reopened for the annoyance and onsterna-  and lplucked the spoil out ofhisteethb. Untomemen
tion of future times; that the settlement should  gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counbe confirmed by fair and reasonable guarantees;  sel. After my words, they spake not again."
that the colored race, emancipated during the
war, and as a war measure, should have their    Mr. GETZ. Mr. Speaker, "I come to bury
freedom  secured beyond peradventure as a  Cmsar, not to praise him."  To speak truth
real, substantial boon, and not as an illusory  of the dead, tjhough an ungracious duty, is'
thing; and, in short, that no mail of any race  honester far than to pronounce the fulsome
or residence should ever have reason to re-  eulogy which makes an immaculate saint of
gret that he had actively espoused the cause  him who while he lived frankly confessed himof the Union.                                self a sinner. As a party man, Mr. COVODE was
His politics were peculiarly of the old Whig  extreme, uncompromising, and, his opponents
school. The doctrines embodied with special  thought, unscrupulous.  With him  politics
clearness by Mr. Clay, in what he denominated  meant warfare, and he that was not with him
the American system, as opposed to the British  was against him, and dealt with as an enemy to
system, he deemed identified with the highest  whom no quarter was to be granted. I knew him
development and the largest prosperity of this  long in the political affairs of our State, and
continent. Nor was he a mere theorist. For  so radically did we differ upon all the questions
many years I have understood he was actively  that have divided parties during the past twenty
engaged in different branches of productive  years that I cannot remember a single instance
industry, and with marked success. His record  in which we were in accord. It was only when
uponl all questions connected with the material  I became associated with him  in Congress
interests of the people will be found in accord-  that my personal acquaintance with him comanece with these views.                      menced, and that the opportunity was afforded
I hive intimated that he was not a scholar.  me of learning that he whom I had always




10
looked upon as an implacable political adver-  brief period during which I was personally
sary possessed traits of character that made  acquainted with him  I found him to correhim susceptible to the warmest personalfriend-  spond to the general conception I had preship.                                        viously formed. He had a kind heart, but an
Of his public career the colleagues who  unyielding will. With marked intellectual and
acted with him have spoken, and with com-  physical energy, the circumstances of his life
mendation.  Of his private life as a man and  were such as to develop all the strong elements
a citizen Ifeel free to say a few words, because  of his character.  The substratum  of JOHN
I can say them in honor to his memory. With no  COVODE was true grit; the elements of his'advantages of early education, and with none  nature were granitic. Under any circumstances
of the adventitious aids to advancement that  and in any of the spheres of life he would have
many of his compeers enjoyed in their youth,  been successful.  But it was his good fortune
he achieved both fortune and fame by his own  to early feel that he was dependent on his own
inherent force of character. Untiring industry,  efforts and his unaided energies. Life was for
indomitable energy, frugality without parsi-  him a battle, and in that battle he emerged from
mony, an intellect quick to apprehend and a  each successful struggle with a more clearly
judgmentremarkablyacuteto apply the knowl-  defined and more self-reliant character.  The
edge he acquired in his intercourse with men,  granite of his character was exposed to the
were the elements that combined to make his  blows of fortune; but each blow was like the
life, in a worldly point of view, a success. The  sculptor's chisel, developing more clearly the
secret of his popularity at home consisted in  well-definedlineaments and form andmind and
the fact that after he had risen to affluence and  heart of JOHN CovoDE —the man-whom we
attained to honorable public station he did i all so familiarly knew. Adversityis necessary
not, as many have done under similar circum-  to the develoljment of true manhood. Nations
stances, turn his back upon the scene of his  and individuals who are possessed of inherent
early and humble toil and take up his abode  vigor and strength emerge from great trials
amid the splendors of fashionable life, where  more complete and admirable.
his wealth and p)osition would have drawn      Mr. COVODE was not educated as the schools
toward him that, society which is so much   understand education. The son of a "recoveted by man's vain ambition, but remained  demptioner," and thrown chiefly upon his own
at the old secluded homestead, on the romantic  resources, he obtained a better education and
but rugged and wild mountains of Westmore-  more complete development from victorious
land, and emrnploved his time and means in  contact with the world than he who, born to
developing and imiproving not only his imme-  ease and with all the facilities of technical
diate  neighborhood, but the whole of western  education, emerges from  the university with
Peninsylvania.                               the idea that his education is ended; when
JoHII  CovoI L: had his faults, as who of us  truly he has merely acquired the educational
has not?  But whatever may be recorded  tools withl which he is to work out such fortune
against him ini the great book'of God's remer-  and accomplish such duty as Heaven sets him
brance, there will also be entered to his credit  to do. The man who, like a Gladstone or a
many an act of kindness, many a generous  Disraeli, is born to comparative fortune and is
deed, many a work of charity, many a token   crammed with all the learning of the schools,
of pure friendship.  His death was sudden;  who has tasted of the delights of study and
so sudden and startling that when the intelli-  mental acquisition, who has luxuriated amid
gence first reached this city it was hardly  philosophical and scientific investigation, who
credited.  It was a surprise to all; and may  has been tempted to pass his life in the serene
I inot say that none who knew him heard it  enjoyment of his taste for art and science and
confirmed without a pang of sorrow?  Like  research, far removed from the deceptions and
the great statesman of Kentucky, no man had  trials and disappointments and uncongenial
warmer friiends and none more bitter enemies.  associations of public life, such a man who yet
Now that he has gone to "the undiscovered  wrests himself away from laborious yet delightcountry from  whose bourn no traveler re-  ful days, to become a leader of men and take
turns," the latter may properly imitate the  active part in the battle of life, deserves permaginanimity of Henry Clay, who, when it  haps as much credit as one who, like Mr.
was expected that he would rejoice at the  CovoDE, is compelled to strive, and striving,
death of his life-long foe, bowed his head in  win the prize. The one rises superior to his
sorrow and feelingly exclaimed, "When God  crushing mass of knowledge, whether profitlays His hand upon my enemy I take mine off."'  able or unprofitable; he becomes the master
For myself, burying all partisan animosity  of his acquirements, and is not mastered by
in the grave that has but lately closed over  them, as is too often the case.  He shows his
JonIN CovoDE's remains, I shall henceforth  true grit by overcoming the natural tendency
bear him  in the same kindly remembrance  to ease and luxury, and bravely assumes his
that I know he would have borne for me had  share of the burden of those who believe that
death summnoned me hence before him.         each of us owe our best endeavors to the
anielioration of the nation's and the race's coniMr. HIALDEMAN.  Mir. Speaker, those of  dition. The other is so fortunate as to feel the
us from Pennsylvania who have been some-  constant goad-to be developed by necessity
what engaged in public affairs have long known  and adversity, but which he, too, overcomes.
JOHN COVODE by general repute; and in the  Each plays well his part, each fulfills the




duties Providence has set him  to do, and  cal. Such lives as his are the vindication and
thereby gains true honor and esteem. Success  theglory of the iRepublic. They are numerous;
is in the man, in the unyielding determination  they are on all sides of us. They point the true
to overcome obstacles, whether those obstacles  moral of free government, which is founded to
arise out of comfort and luxury, or out of  cultivate and develop individual man in all
adversity and want.                          those talents and gifts and yearnings which
Each of these typical men would probably  he has received from  nature and nature's
succeed in either sphere.  But it is the great  God; to give full scope for the exercise of his
merit of our institutions and civil polity that  faculties and secure to him his just share of
eminent success is here possible and facilitated  reward.
for nature's strong men, no nhatter whether    The question was taken on the resolutions;
fortuitously placed high or low, with or with-  and they were unanimously agreed to; and
out the so-called advantages of fortune. There-  thereupon the House (at four o'clock and
fore, JOhINx CovoDE'S career is eminently typi-  fifteen minutes p. mn.) adjourned.
I N T [fI IEJ S  NATE OF THE U N IT 1, T A T E STATES.
FiIDxAY, F'ebrzary 10, 1871.         come, that obstacles in his path gave birth to
A message from  the House of Represent-  the resolve that he would surmount them.
ati^ves, by Mr. iMCPHERSON, its Clerk, cormn-  When quite young he left his home and travmunicated to the Senate information of the  eled on foot to the State of New York, wishdeath of Hon. John Covode, late a member  ing to acquire a  nowledge of some branch
of the House of Representatives from  the  of manufacturing industry.  He selected the
twenty-first congressional district of the State  fulling business, correctly  calculating that
of Pennsylvania.                             one of the necessities of' his native'district
The resolutions of the House of Represent-  could be supplied by the introduction of a
atives were read.                            fulling mill. He learned the trade, returned
and established what was known for years
Mr. SCOTT. MIr. President, again, and for  as CovoDE's  Woolen Factory. Although his
the third time during this short session, are  factory was small, compared with the huge
we reminded that the robes of office will not  enterprises of the present day, it supplied
ward away the shafts of death. Another of  the wants of the neighborhood.  He was an
our colleagues has fallen, and we lay aside  henest, industrious, business man, and gained
our labors for a few brief moments to pay a  the confidence of all who knew him.  Growtribute to his memory.                       ing  in knowledge and  experience, seizing
Hon. JOHN COVODE, late Representative of  the opportunities which the advance of imthe twenty-first congressional district of Penn-  provements offered, he employed his energies
sylvania, died at Hiarrisburg, on the 11th of  beyond the limits of his own vicinity, and
January. He had left this city a few days pre-  made the welfare. of other sections of the
vious, proceeded to his home, and with his  State the object of his solicitude.
wife went to Philadelphia, and made arrange-    Pennsylvania had commenced, in 1826, an
ments to place two of his younger children at  extensive system of internal improvements,
school. Intending to resume his duties in the  and many who feared the burden of public debt
House, he started to return by way of Harris-  necessary to their completion shrunk back
burg. There, in his usual robust health, he  from the undertaking. Men ofnerve and courretired to rest for a few hours before leaving  age were needed for that time.  Of that class
for Washington.  Attacked by acute pain in  was Mr. COVODE.  Confident in the value of
the region of the heart, he awoke, called his  the boundless but undeveloped resources of
wife, and had medical aid summoned.  Rem-  the great Commonwealth, he gave an ardent
edies were administered, but within an hour  support to all measures for the conmencement,
he died.                                     prosecution, anrid completion of her canals and
JOHN COVODE was born in Westmoreland  railroads.  When these furnished insufficient
county, Pennsylvania, on the 17th of March,  facilities for trade and travel, he again gave his
1808. His father was of Dutch and his mother  efficient aid.  He was one of the original
of Quaker descent.  An untarnished name  fiiends of the company incorporated in 1846
was the only heritage they had to leave their  to construct a railroad from  east to west
son. His facilities for acquiring an education  throulgh the central portion of the State, and
were very limited. His after life, however,  did much to secure its success.
demonstrated that his will would yield to no    When these improvements by State and
difficulties which perseverance could over   compay enterprise were completed,  e was




12,among the first to originate schemes for util-  on the Conduct of the War. But he gave even
izing them. He became a transporter on the  stronger proof of his loyal devotion than by his
canal, and, while the railroad was in progress,  individual efforts as a member of Congress.
organized companies to develop the coal-fields   He gave to his country three of his sons to
in western Pennsylvania., which it made ac-  do battle in the field, one of whom, Colonel
cessible. In all these lie was a ruling and an  George Covode, was killed in battle near Richactive spirit, and, aided to a great extent by  mond; another returned from the prison-house
his prudent management, they have prospered  at Andersonville broken in health, and now
largely atid rewarded his sagacity and labors  remains a lingering evidence of tile cruelty
with abuindalt success. Hisperseverance, fore-  there inflicted upon the unfortunate Union
sight, selifconfidence, his hopefulness, and his  prisoners; a'third completed his term of
honesty of purpose had all been exercised in  enlistment and was honorably discharged.
behalf of his immediate neighborhood, county,    At the close of the Thirty-Seventh Congress
and State, butit was not until he entered upon   Mr. COVODE retired temporarily from public
his politic'l career that those qualities became  life. Though in no official position, he did not
so conspicuous as to attract the attention of  remain an inactive spectator of the continued
the country. Before his election to Congress  struggle of parties.  In 1862 and in 1864 his
in 1854 he had been a candidate for the State  district was carried by the Democrats.  To
senate in the district composed of the counties  effect a change in the representation he again
of Westmoreland and Somerset.  Defeated by  became a candidate in 1866. His personal and
a very small majority, the canvass demonstrated  political popularity, backed by his great energy,
his hold upon the confidence of the people.  secured an election.  In 1868 he was again
His party was in the minority, but many   chosen to represent his district in the House
opposed to him politically waived their adher-  of Representatives, and in 1869 he conducted
ence to party rule, casting their votes for him  the political campaign as chairman of the
as the Whig candidate.                       Republican State central committee.  Such is
In 1854 Mr. COVODE was, for the first time,  a brief sketch of the leading incidents of his
a candidate for Congress in the then nineteenth  business and public life, and they to a great
congressional district of Pennsylvania, and  extent indicate his character.
was elected. He was reelected in 1856, 1858,    He was not a man of learning; he was a
and 1860. In the legislation immediatelypre-  man of intellect. It was not that cultivated
ceding the attempted secession of the southern  intellect which often -eads men to be mere
States he was a prominent and courageous  thinkers, whose thoughts end in dreams and
actor in resisting the encroachments of con-  are sometimes afterward caught up and made
spirators against the Union and in exposing  practical by the earnest workers of the world.
the schemes for the extension of slavery. In  His was that busy, practical brain which made
opposing the efforts to force the institution  him a man of action, a type of the untiring'upon Kansas he battled with all his energy,  working meni wko are making their mark upon,and became conspicuous for his industry and  this active century, who study their fellow-men
labors as chairman of a committee to investi-  more than books, and who are indispensable
gate the influences by which this result was  to the earnest thinkers of the age.  Earnest
sought to be accomplished.                   thinkers and earnest workers need each other.
In the Thirty-Sixth Congress, that imme-  Earnest thought is earnest work in one sense,
diately preceding the election of Mr. Lincoln  but not in all senses. The earnest thought
to the Presidency, he contributed largely in  of the commander who plans a campaign or
preparing the public mind for a change in  maps out a battle-field may be earnest work
the policy on which the national Government  for him; but it is not that kind of earnest
had been administered. - When that change  work which carries forts and routs opposing
came and secession followed -Mr. COVODE stood  armies. The men who do this kind of earnest
unflinchingly by the flag of his country. Hle  work should live in history, as well as those
was not a man of soft words and persuasive  who plan it and direct it to be done..speech. The time had come when it was to    I saw recently a large painting of the battle
be decided by the arbitrament of the sword  of Gettysburg, ordered by the State of Pennwhether the Union should be preserved or be  sylvania. It represents the pinch of the fight,
-severed into fragments.  He advocated the  the repulse of Pickett's charge. Its central
strengthening of the arm of the Government  figure is a private Union soldier-tall, nmusto meet the attack of its enemies. His patri-  cular, with all the energy of determined action
otic exhortations, though not couched in the  apparent in every feature and in every limbflowery language of the rhetorician, were such  with a musket clenched frantically in his hands,
as carried conviction'to the minds of the people  and drawn to strike an assailant. IHe seems to'a.nd roused them to a sense of the impending  be the real leader of all who are behind him.,dangers.                                    The commanding generals are in the dim disFrom the inauguration of the rebellion until  tance. I thought, as I looked upon it, that the'the 4th day of March, 1863, when Mr. COVODE  men of action are in our day coming to the
voluntarily retired from Congress, after having  front.
served four successive terms, he was recog-    Such a man was JoH- CovODE. His speeches
itized as the enthusiastic defender of his coun-  do not fill many columns of the Globe.  His
trys weal and safety, serving during that time  actions have influenced events which will em-;vith vigor as a member of the joint Committee  ploy the p1ens of many historians; and if the




13
thoughts and the reasonings during our years  Quaker heart throbbing in unison with the aspiof trial, of such men as Stevens and Fessen-  rations of the oppressed for freedom  and the
den among the dead, of others whom I may  equal rights of man, would go out and cast his
not in good taste here name among the living,  influence into that greatgulf stream of enlightshall afford food for the students who shall  ened and advancing public sentiment which
come after us, the deeds of JOHN COVODE, as  was breaking up the polar sea of human bondthey stand upon the same record, in the same  age? This he had done, and he had lived to
years, will command the gratitude of the  see liberty proclaimed'"through all the land
patriot's heart. In the word-painting of his-  to all the inhabitants thereof."
tory his name will not be left out.            But his race was run; and there he was
He was bold, energetic, self-reliant, and   dead, his sorrowing friends and stricken wife
persevering.  He investigated for himself, he  and children, his sympathizing neighbors, all]
decided for himself, and when he decided the   shocked by the suddenness and severity of the
next step was to act. Some friends were pro-  affliction. The loss sustained by that bereaved
posing to him to examine into the practicability  family is one which no earthly hand can temof' a railroad up the valley of the Platte, and   per, no human sympathy can lessen. The loss
wished to submit the opinion of an engineer.  sustained by the community in which he lived
"Let us go and see for ourselves," said Mr.  was attested by the presence of the people of
COVODE, and hewent, takingsome of his friends  all ranks and conditions of life to pay the last
with him. His own examination decided his  tribute of respect to his memory.  High and
course upon that question.                   low, rich and poor, were there.  On foot, on
But although energetic and self-reliant, he  horseback, in the road wagon, in the carriage,
was not repellant nor selfish. Warm as a parti-  in every way that men and women could travel,
san, he was genial and generous in social life  did the long funeral procession wend its way
and as a personal friend. I will not say of  to the little village church-yard in the county
him that he had no enemies; for if I did it  of his birth, to lay him in his last resting-place
would imply, in my belief, that he had failed   by the side of his gallant son, and surrounded
in some of life's duties. He had the nerve to  by the tablets which tell the " short and simple
do right as he saw the right; and the man who  annals of the poor."
does that, either in private or public life, will    If a man's life has not impressed his fellowhave enemies.                                men, his funeral will not. But his funeral,
Iae was the friend and trusted counselor of  may tell how his life has impressed them; and7
the poor and dependent. Having himself come  standing there, no man could doubt the sincerup from the vale of poverty, he sympathized  ity of the sorrow which his death had occawith the sorrows of those in want.  He cer-  sioned among those who knew him best.  A
tainly had never read in the original Dido's  bad man could not be so mourned. Taken as
address to AEneas, and it may be he could  he was, without warning, away from the busy
not have quoted Dryden's translation of her  scenes of life's activities, when looking forsentiment-                                   ward to new and important enterprises, his
I learn to pity woes o like my own".    death admonishes us who are engaged, as lie
was, in public cares and duties, of the uncerbut he did what was better than scanning Latin  tainty of life and of the value of our time,
or quoting English verse.  When the needy  that we shouldcame to him he did not exhaust his sympathy   "Part with it as with money, sparing; pay
for the poor in sentiment for their class.  He    No moment but in purchase of its worth;
mninistered to the needy man or woman before    And what its worth, ask death-beds; they can tell."
him asking aid.                                Mr. President, I offer the following resoluI cannot refrain from  expressing here the  tions:
thoughts that were prompted by the scene at   Resolved, That the Senate has received with deep
his funeral, which I attended upon the invi-  sensibility the announcement of the death of thelate
tation of the committee appointed by the   epresentatives         late a member of the StateHouse of
House. His residence was in a deep and nar-    Resolved, That as a mark of respectforthe memory
row valley. As we neared it, Hendricks creek,  of Mr. COVODE, the members of the Senate will wear
the usual badge of mourning for thirty days.
named by the ancestors of Senator Hendricks,   Resolved, That as a further mark of respect for the
came in. sight, winding its way along the foot  memory of the deceased, theSenatedoca-ow-a4iorn.
of a high hill.  Steep hills were on every side
of us, and it seemed that there was no outlet    MIr. SUMNER.  Mr. President, I venture
for the struggling stream. But it finds its way  to interpose a brief word of sincere homage
after many windings, and passing through the: to the late JOHN COVODE.  I call him JOHN
tributaries of the Alleghany flows on to the;  COVODE, for so I heard him called always.
Gulf, mingling its waters with that streani   Others are known by some title of honor or
which, by its genial warmth. breaks up they. office, but he was known only by the simple
frozen regions of the North.  Was it this sur-  name he bore.  This familiar designation harrounding that impelled JOHN COYODE to ac-  monized with his unassuming life and chartion? Did he look out over the high hills  acter.
which on every side shut him from the busy     During his long service in Congress I was in
world beyond, and resolve that he, too, with  the Senate, so that I have been his contemhis strong German common sense, keeping him   porary. And inow that he has gone before
ever on the plane of right, with his warm   me I owe my testimony to the simplicity,




14
integrity, and patriotism  of his public life.  which JOHIN COVODE reached attests the hospiAlways simple, always honest, always patri-  tality of our institutions and shows how charotic, he leaves a name which must be preserved  acter triumphs over difficulties. With nothing
in the history of Congress.  In the long list  but a common education, he improved his conof its members he will stand forth with an  dition, gained riches, enlarged his mind with
individuality not to be forgotten.  How con-  wisdom, and won the confidence of his fellowstantly and indefatigably he toiled the rec-  citizens, until he became an example.
ords of the other House declare.  He was a    The death of such a citizen makes a void,
doer rather than a speaker; but is not doing  but it leaves behind a life which in itself is a
more than speech, unless in those rare cases  monument.
where a speech is an act? But his speech had
a plainness which was not without effect, espe-    Mr. SHER IMAN.  Mr. President, again we
cially before the people, where the facts and  are called upon to share in the last sad cerefigures which he presented with honest voice  monies on the occasion of the death of one of
were eloquent.                               our old associates.  Mr. COVODE entered upon
The Rebellion found this faithful Represent-  his public life here in the Thirty-Fourth Conative in his place, and from the first moment  gress. He was elected a member of Congress
to the last he gave to its suppression time, in-  in the fall of 1854, when for the first time the
exhaustible energy, and that infinite treasure,  anti-slavery sentiment of the northern States,
the life of a son. He was for the most vigor-  aroused by the Kansas-Nebraska bill, conous measures, whether in the field or in states-  tested for supremacy in the administration of
manship.  Slavery had no sanctity for him,  the nationalGovernment. Thecommencement
and he insisted upon striking it. In the same  of this struggle dates back to the origin of the
spirit, when the Rebellion was suppressed, he  Government, and indeed was inherent in the
insisted always upon those Equal Rights for  nature of the human mind. The ideas that
All, without which the Declaration of Inde-  ruled a society where a great portion of the
pendence is an unperformed promise, and our  people were slaves, and the ideas that connation a political bankrupt. In all these things  trolled a people all free, were of necessity in
he showed character and became a practical  a state of chronic war.  That they did not
leader. There is heroism elsewhere than on  sooner come in armed conflict is the highest
fields of battle, and he displayed it. lie was  evidence of the forbearance, obedience, and
a civic hero. And here the bitterness which  respect for law that is the distinguishing trait
he encountered'was the tribute to his virtue.  of our race.  But when the geographical barIn doing honor to this much-deserving ser-  riers erected by our fathers had been broken
vant, I cannot err if I add that nobody had  down in the interest of slavery the conflict
more at heart the welfare of the Republican   became inevitable.  The mass of our people,
party, with which, in his judgment, were asso-  with a keen perception of the nature of the
ciated the best interests of the nation. He felt  conflict, arrayed themselves into parties disthat, giving to his party, he gave to his coun-  tinctively founded upon these antagonistic
try and to mankind. His strong sense and the  ideas. Old party divisions melted away; other
completeness of his devotion to party made  issues were subordinated or postponed, and
him strenuous always for those commanding  in the House of Representatives of the Thirtyprinciples by which Humanity is advanced.  Fourth Congress the conflict commenced which
Therefore was he for the unity of tle party,  in the end destroyed slavery and left us in all
that it might be directed with all its force for  the States with institutions in harmony with
the good cause.  Therefore was he against  republican liberty.
outside and disturbing questions, calculated to  Mr. COVODE, though a Whig in politics, was
distract and divide.  He saw the wrong they  elected in a Democratic district; and I met
did to to the party, and, in the relation of cause  him for the first time in December, 1855, in the
and effect, to the country. And here that frank-  long struggle that followed over the organizaIess, which was part of his nature, became a  tion of the House. From  that time until his
power. He was always frank, whether with  death my acquaintance with him was intimate.
the people, with Congress, or with the Presi-  lIe took an active but peculiar part in all the
dent. I cannot forget his frankness with Abra-  political contests of the time. And now, sir,
ham Lincoln, who, you know, liked frankness.  in reviewing his life, for the purpose of. joining
On more than one occasion with this good  in this tribute to his memory, I can truthfully
President his frankness conquered.  Honor-  say that I knew no one in public life who was
able as was such a victory to the simple Rep-  a truer friend, more faithful to his convictions
resentative, it was more honorable to the  of duty, less influenced by bitterness and maPresident.                                   lignity. and who was less changed by his long
His honest indignation at wrong was doubt-  political service from the plain JOHN COVODE
less quickened by the blood which coursed  of our early acquaintance.  It so happened
in his veins and the story which it constantly  that I once visited his district and sought the
whispered.  He was descended from one or  secret of his continued popularity at his home,
those "redemptioners" or indented servants  where there had been many political changes.
transported to Pennsylvania in the middle of  He had been engaged extensively in many
the last century, being a species of white slaves,  branches of business, had been very successamong whom was one of the signers of the  ful, had accumulated a large fortune, from
Declaration of Independence. The eminence  a laboring man had become the employer of




15
thousands of laborers, had held high official  whose blood flowed in his veins.  His father
position; and yet in all these changes had  was one of those whose passage was paid from
continued the same plain, hearty, genial, kind,  the Low.Countries by service of redemption
and accessible JOHN COrODE.                  after his arrival on our shores.  In early times
His success did not excite envy, and even  the farmers and small manufacturers of Pennamong his political adversaries, though he was  sylvania, true to the traditions of our State,
a very decided partisan, there was no bitter-  procured this class of laborers in preference
ness.  With his political associates in the  to slaves. That they were wise in this choice
House of Representatives he was popular and  it is not now, happily, necessary to argue.
influential, never contesting the higher honors  But if proof were demanded it may be found
of political strife or leading in debate; yet his  in the beautiful valleys now possessed by the
good will and good offices were eagerly sought  descendants of these imported laborers, by
by others, and when given were always sincere  their high culture, by their thrift, and by the
and useful. I do not think any one can truly  exalted honor which marks all their dealings.
say he was ever misled or deceived by Mr.  And it is worthy of honorable mention, in
COVODE. His sagacity in political matters was  passing, that there is not one single instance in
intuitive. He felt and knew the popular pulse,  which these patient, honest people failed to
because he mingled with and knew the people  carry out to the uttermost, and in perfect good
as well as any man in public life. In his pop-  faith, the contract by which they were enabled
ular addresses lie was far more successful than  to come to a land of plenty.
learned and polished lawyers who depended    However much of honor and fame JOHN
upon studied preparation.  His speeches were  COVODE may have earned by his public serearnest, direct, and good-humored, and did  vices, he holds a higher place in my esteem
not lose their force though his grammar was  for the true courage he possessed.  I never
not always correct and his ideas were clothed  honored him more than when, in a speech in
in homely phrase.  Mr. COVODE was one of  Philadelphia not long ago, he boldly prothe many who under our free institutions, with-  claimed what other and weaker men would
out advantage of education, but with native  have labored to suppress, and announced as a
talents, great industry and energy, filled the  reason for his hostility to every species of
measure of a successful life.                human bondage the fact that his father had
He did great good in developing the re-  been sold as a "redemptionist" near the very
sources of his State; he was true to his political  spot where he was then speaking to thousands
convictions; he was firm in his friendships; he  on matters of high importance; standing up
was a good husband and father; and now, sir,  an acknowledged leader in a land famous for
that he is suddenly taken from us by death,  the number and abilities of its leading men
treading a little time before us the dim, gloomy,  and the average intelligence of its people.
impenetrable paths of future life, we his old    This German element in Pennsylvania, of
associates can recall his memory with kind-  which Mr. CovoDE was an excellent type,
ness, respect, and affection.  When we reflect  found itself, from very early times, in sharp
how few of the members of the Thirty-Fourth  rivalry with another race with which no ordiCongress still fill their places in these Halls,  nary  qualities could maintain a successful
and how many, both of our friends and adver-  struggle.  The bold and enterprising Scotchsaries, are now dead-falling here and there in  Irish and Scotch were already there.  While
the changing phases of life without creating a  these people were furnishing the pioneers for
ripple in the great current of events-we feel  our constantly advancing frontier they yet left
the insignificance of any one human life, how-  behind them  a strong force to dispute with
ever proudly and prominently it may be for a  all comers the possession of the land their
moment in the public eye. All that we can  courage had conquered from the savage and
do is to contribute a little, and but a little, to  the wilderness. These and the Swedes were
the general progress of our country; and we  mainly the purchasers of the laborers who
must be content it; when our eulogies are pro-  were brought from Europe, and were the ownnounced, our survivors may say of us what has  ers of much of the soil. But scarcely a genbeen truly said to-day of JOHN CoVonE.       eration had passed away before the hired
servants began to buy their masters' lands, to
Mr. CAMERON.  rMr. President, heaving  marry their masters' daughters, and to make
a particular statement and analysis of tl:e life  good their claim to full equality with those
of Mr. COVODE to gentlemen more intimate  whose bondmen they had been. For a time
with it than I am, I design savying a few words  the Scotch-Irish made a sturdy stand for that
of him and his career which I hope will im-  supremacy and superiority which seem to be
press the youth of the country.  In him we  their peculiar inheritance, place them where
have a bright illustration  of what may be  you may. At length the thrift, the superior
attained under a Ipolitical system which-invites  patience, and the perseverance of the German
every kind of ability to its service, which wel-  blood prevailed.  They bought, and stilf poscomes every description of talent, and excludes  sess, the old homesteads, and have furnished
none from  the responsibilities and honors of  us with an array of distinguished men of whom
public life.                                 every citizen of our State is justly proud;
Mr. COVODE  encountered the difficulties  while their rivals, true to their character for
which his humble extraction and poverty placed  progress and enterprise, spread westward to
in his way with the steady courage of the race  our borders. There they took firm root. And




16
from that citadel of their power they have fur-  that flocked to his funeral to pay honor to his
nished the picket-guard of civilization for the  remains is conclusive evidence of the high
continent.  While the sons of the Germans  estimation in which he was held by those who
from generation to generation inherited their  knew him best.
fathers' lands, they continued in the simple    And this, after all, is the touchstiid'e of true
pursuits of their ancestors. The Scotch-Irish,  popularity. The attendance of the great men
on the other hand, sent their sons to colleges,  of the nation who represented Congress at his
and constantly asserted their claims to power  burial; of the refined gentlemen, his associates
and direction; the result of which is that this  in business and in humanitarian projects; of
race has furnished us with more Presidents  the eminent men who left everything to add
than all others combined, and has put its in-  their tribute of respect to the obsequies of their
delible impress on the political institutions of  friend, was indeed honorable to them and just
our country.                                 to his memory. But the simple, manly grief
There is nothing either new or striking in  of his neighbors far outweighs all these, and
what I have said; and it may be considered as  cast an honor over his grave which all else
foreign to the object for which I arose.  But  was incapable of reflecting.
to me it seemed necessary in considering the   Confident that I have spoken but imperfectly
lesson of a useful man's life, and so germane  of Mr. COVODE'S character, I yet feel that
to my purpose.                               what I have said is not in vain. Some youth,
JOHN COVODE was the irreconcilable foe of  struggling in obscurity against an adverse forslavery because, in the traditions of his family,  tune, and beset with difficulties which appear
that detestation was the outgrowth of experi-  at times insurmountable, will read of our dead
ence, of bitter suffering, ofunmerited reproach.  colleague's struggle and victory, and take
He loved liberty as one to whom its beauty was  fresh courage. If even one such shall thereby
a reality and not merely a sentiment. And so  emerge from his difficulties, and give to his
the same practical traits are to be seen all  country and his fellow-men the strong corn 
through his character. As one denied the bless-  mon sense and the acute understanding of
ings and advantages of education, he was an  another JOHN COVODE, my object will have
unflinching friend of firee schools. As an Amer-  been attained. And I cannot pay higher honor
ican laborer, his life was spent in shielding  to the dead than to present his life as an exAmerican labor from the blight of foreign com-  ample to the young men of our country claimpetition.  As a Pennsylvanian, he loved the  ing, as I- do, the liberty of age and experience
State which gave him birth and sepulcher to  to press this example on their attention, and
his fathers. As an American citizen, he loved  pointing them  to the struggles, the succes,
the land where he and his kindred found refuge  and the end of the life of our departed friend.
and honor. His was a sympathetic heart, and    I second, sir, the resolutions offered by my
his hand was open. He alleviated the sorrows  colleague.
and afflictions of his neighbors with unstinted
generosity.  And the vast concourse of these    The resolutions were agreed to unanimously.