Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1868-04-30
IN MEMoRIAM.
THE LATE DANIEL BRYAN.

Newspaper eulogy has become SO common,
and often so fulsome, as to offend good taste,
aud cause judiciousfrends to abstain from even
Just tribute 10 the memory of the worthy
dead The life of the good man whose name
we now use deserves at our hands commemo-
ration beyond the simple announcement of his
exit december 22d, 1859
Mn BRYAN was Asst known to US as mem
Der Of the Senate of Virginia from the counties
Of Rockingham and Shenandoah. Though
singularly modest and unambitious, he atonce
attained prominence and usefulness in that
body. and in 1921 delivered 4 speech in favor
Of the gradual emancipation of slavery, alike
creditable 70 his reasoning powers and to his
forecast as to the true interest and policy OF MS
native State-a policy which was subsequently
advocated with eloquence and power by some
of the most prominent men of the day, such as
Broadnax, Mcdowell, Randolph Summers,
and Preston-and which, if adopted as State
policy, would have sayel US from the unjust
AMI degrading system since inflicted upon US
a system alike injurious to both races.
In 1926, Mr.. Bryan was appointed PostmAs-
ter of the City of Alexandria by President
Adams, and this position (which withdrew him
from public observation as statesman he
filed for twenty-five years with Scrupulous
fidelity, and only retired from itwhenthe greed
for Office from without had become annoying
to his sensitive nature, and when he felt, as ma
ny good men have realized that the post Of
honor is private station"
Mr.. Bryan had good colloquial powers and
fine taste for literature, especially poetry, and
had himselfwoocd the MUSES. with some degree
of success, though like most men as judgment
is rnatured, he set but small value upon his
early efforts. His " Mountain Muse, the eflu'
sion Of youthful enthusiasm in praise of his ma
tive region, he considered faulty; but he had
no reason to be diflident as to the merits of hl'
more mature production, The Lay Of Graft
tude." q poem commemorative Of the virtues
NalOr ana Observation-Disclosures VI NVuSi"l A'''"y
ette-the youthful cavalier who had perllleC
life and fortune in the cause Of American In
dependence.
Mr.. Bryan had an especial sympathy fol
poets Gu times past proyerbially poor,l an'
this generous feeling made him the victim o
at least one unappreciative and ungrateful re
cipient Of his kindness. Guileless himself, h
never doubted the integrity of others. He hac
fine capacity for epistoary writing, and wa
cherished by friends as a most agreeable ant
entertaining correspondent Had he been a
ambitious as gifted, he could not have failed t
be distinguished in any chosen forum, but h
was content with the quiet routine Of domestic
life, in the society of an interesting and devoted
family. and Of friends of congeuial tastes anC
habits Having spent a blameless life, and at
tanned an age beyond the patriarchal limit b
has descended to the tomb respected and es
teemed wherever known.
This tribute, though late, is the feeble, bu
sincere Offering Of a friend who must himsel
soon Join
"The iunumerable caravan that moves
To the pale realms Of shade