Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1869-01-14

we may so conduct ourselves not only
during the present session of the Leg
islature, but through after life, that when
the Great Speaker of the universe shall
sound the gayel which shall be the to-
ken of our departure, may we each leave
behind us the same character which ever
beautifed and adorned the life of our
departed friend and brother.
Mr.. NEWMAN said:
|, Mr., SPEAKRR:-It having been my
lgoods fortune to have formed an intimate
acquaintance with the late member from
.Riehland county during the first session
of the Legislature, my feelings inpel
me to give utterance, upon this eccosion,
to an expression of that sorrow which
fllsevery breast and is revealed in the
countenances Of those around me.
4 When we met. in adjourned session in
4 November last frequent congratulations
we're exchanged that death had not Wis
| tied this branch of the General Assem-
bly, during the adjournment. But at
that very. hour, athis home and surround
ed by his family, one of our members was
lying upon the bed Of death, and before
we adjourned, his spirit had taken. its
fight from earth. On the oath of No
vehber the Rev. Andrew Gerhart, Rep
Eresentative upon this floor from the
county of Richland, breathed his last.
The news of that event carried sadness
to the hearts of all who knew him. Cut
down in the vigor of his manhood. hav-
ing reached that useful period of life,
when the energy of youth is tempered
by the experience and judgment of age,
his death is to be deplored as a public
calamity.
During my acquaintance with Mr..
Gerhart, extending through our first ses-
sion, I had many opportunities of judg-
ing of his character, and it is rare indeed
to meet with one whose qualities of bead
and heart would so universally command
respect and admiration from those with
whom he came in contact. As public
officer he gave the closest attention to
, the discharge of his official duties; he
shrank from no responsibility, and all
! his votes and acts were governed by an
. exalted rectitude of purpose, a conscien-
tious regard for his official obligations and
o the duty he owed to his constituents, All
he said and all he did was prompted by
n a desire to uphold the right and promote
r the welfare of his fellow man.
t AS a minister of the gospel he was
: faithful to his calling, and as christian
e he was exemplary in all his ways. He
: taught nothing that he did not practice.
o and with him precept was strengthened
e by example. His religion was conceived
d and sustained by that Holy Spirit which
! gave to the world the Sern ON on the
d Mount, and in this sad hour its words of
y promise bring to afflicted hearts the rich
= est consolation. Mr.. Gerhart carried
e that religious spirit into all the affairs of
It life. Without cant or hypocrisy he
r did not use it, as too many do, as cloak
+ to conceal unworthy purposes, but as
l. shield to protect him from the errors and
o weaknesses of our common nature. Neith-
er did he adopt cold and cheerless for
It mality, forbidding austerity of coun-
d tenance, to make its presence known
,fI He moved among his fellow men with
r, kind words, genial smiles and generous
!, actions.
n He was thoroughly honest man, and
his whole life gave evidence of that in
n tegrity of character which won for him
= the confidence of his friends and the res
# pect of political opponents. No one
i doubted but that in all his actions he
.e was guided by the purest of motives,
n always frank and sincere. 1 venture
,f to say that not single member upon
of this floor ever entertained an unkind
"A thought toward Mr.. Gerhart. In all the
IS spheres of life in which he was placed,
r. he was faithful to every accepted trust.
4, Though not what might be termed a
4 partisan, he was warmly attached to the
n principles of his party, and adhered to
!. them at all times and under all circum-
n. stances with answering fidelity.
of But he is gone from among us-gone
Z. from the field of his usefulness-lost to
Is future, bright with promise. His va
of cant seat, which he left but a few months
" ago in health and vigor. impresses upon
st our minds with all the force of inspired
f eloquence the uncertainty of life and the
ID sad certainty of death. The inevitable
n. hour must come alike to all. Though he is
no longer with us,he has left behind him
,e the priceless heritage ola good example.
ID The ennobling influence of his life will
So be felt long after his form has mouldered
in into dust. His deeds of love and chari-
I'd ty will throw around his name halo OF
or precious recollections, more beautiful and
d. lasting than monuments of brass or
al marble.
Il. In what have said, am sure those
to who knew him best will not accuse me
ly of having stepped beyond the limit o.
be honest eulogy to indulge in spirit o.
Id fulsome panegyric. The faithful chris
tian, the incorruptible public servant
- and the model citizen does not need thu
aid of friendly words to secure to hi:
=, memory the need of praise and rever
81 81 ence that is justly due it.
- When the wheels of weary life stood
i, still the immortal spirit of our lamentet
~ brother went to the bosom of its Father
Calmly he looked on either |; e. and here
Saw nothing to regret. nor there to fear"
IL It is not for any loss he has sustained
he that we bow in sadness now. He rest
lat from his labors and his works do follow
en- him. But we mourn because society ha
wv lost so useful member, the State beei
% deprived of so valuable public servant
rk and friends bereft of companion s.
is faithful and true. That voice which ha
often been heard within these walls in
to voking the blessings of heaven upon u
he and upon those we represent, will b
iv heard no more. He has been welcomes
get to the goodly fellowship of the saints
ret and tears are not needed to attest tn
nd loss we feel. Good night to thy form
to good morn to thy fame.
,h- Mr.. WOLF said: