EULOGY. 217 



wider and wider space in the eyes of the country, that on him rests no imputa- 

 tion of having ever purchased favor or advancement by a sacrifice of the slightest 

 principle, or of having once deviated into any of those equivocal positions which 

 si imetimes bring disrepute on illustrious names ; whoever shall recall and consider 

 these things will undoubtedly be qualified to form a more adequate and vivid 

 conception of his labors and his worth than could be derived from any por- 

 traiture which this occasion would permit, or perhaps even the most labored 

 eulogy could supply. 



Nor were striking testimonials wanting to his peculiar and conspicuous merits : 

 it rested but with himself to have occupied positions of tho highest public dis- 

 tinction. A place in the cabinet and a seat in the federal judiciary were suc- 

 cessively offered him ; on more than one occasion his name was publicly can- 

 vassed in connexion with the presidency of the United States. Tho former, 

 however, he declined ; the latter he steadily discountenanced. He seems to have 

 felt that the Senate chamber was the proper sphere for his peculiar tastes and 

 powers — a sphere equal to his well-regulated ambition, not below his admitted 

 merit. The patronage incident to the executive branch of government involves 

 much that would have been repugnant to his feelings ; the judiciary has objections 

 peculiar to itself in the ever-recurrent and monotonous nature of its functions ; 

 the representative department of Congress was for him too much influenced by 

 the fluctuations of popular opinion. The Senate, in the stability of its tenure, 

 and the vivacity and variety of its discussions, in its character of a consultative 

 and executive as well as legislative body, in the dignity and importance of its 

 deliberations, involving the interests of Siates and the relations of national inter- 

 course, seemed exactly fitted to give scope to his abilities, and to satisfy every 

 aspiration he might indulge for usefulness or consideration. Perhaps it was in 

 the committee-room that his influence made itself more particularly felt, for here 

 the extent of his information, the weight of his character, the directness and 

 integrity of his purpose, his patience for details, his familiarity with the forms 

 of business, and aptitude in applying them with logical acuteness to the disen- 

 tanglement of questions of fact and law, his co-operative spirit, his genial and 

 companionable nature and manner, all conspired to give authority to his decisions, 

 and to conciliate, reliance and acquiescence on the part of those with whom he 

 acted. 



Had Mr. Pearce not embraced the profession of law, he would doubtless, under 

 suitable circumstances, have been celebrated as an agriculturist. Had he not 

 resigned himself to political life, he could not have failed of eminence in science 

 or in literature. It is indeed rare to meet with one whose capabilities and excel- 

 lencies were so varied and so distinct, nor is it possible that, knowing him as I 

 have done, I should speak of him otherwise than frankly and from the heart, 

 though conscious of the imperfect representation which I have been able to give 

 of a man so intrinsically great in all the elements which constitute true greatness, 

 .so entirely beloved for all that refers itself to the amenities of social intercourse 

 and the sacred endearments of home. 



In conclusion, it is proper to add that the peculiarities which marked his char- 

 acter during the active yeais of his life exhibited themselves in the closing period 

 of his career under a new but harmonious aspect. Afflicted with an incurable 

 malady, he contemplated his approaching end and endured his intense suffer- 

 ing with the unwavering faith and resigned patience of a Christian. The reli- 

 gious principles which he had imbibed in childhood, a»d which had perhaps im- 

 perceptibly formed the basis of his character, became the dominant objects of his 

 thoughts, and the consolation and happiness of his last hours. 



