Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1869-01-15

MT. ROIIEh salu fss -=ifE - !.
Mr.. SPEAKER--I rise to speak to the rest
olution which has been offered, feeling tha-
it is appropriate for me to do so. Custom
has sanctioned proceedings such as we are
now engaged in; yet. If left to the dictates
of my own feelings, should adopt the Ian
guages of one great among our greatest
now himself departed, who, on similar
occasion, on a greater theater than we oc-
cupy,a in discharging the sad duty which
now perform, said "that silence is the true
eloquence of woe." k 6s1
Ii the death of good man should be
lamented, If the departure from the stage
OF lifeIof one who. while he occupied it,
always discharged faithfully and manfnlly
all the duties devolving upon him; if time
part of legislative bodies. the sad eeremo-
nies in which this House Is now engaged
then. indeed, is it fitting that we should
consider with unusual sOlemnities the an
nouncement of the death of Andrew Ger
hart. ST -ss.lyi ia4---7esf
And, Mr.. Speaker. discharge the duty
of speaking TO the resolution just offered
with melancholy pleasure which / cannot
express. "A pleasure, because owing to my
personal relations with the deceased, I had
opportunities to appreciate his worth, to
which an loverruling Providence now en-
ables me to bear testimony. For flour de-
ceased brother were still in his accustomed
to speak that of him which his character
deserved. ~
knew him well modest, retiring. diff
dent; distrusting his own powers, he never
engaged in the debates upon this floor to
the extent to. which his own clear concep-
tions OF the questions which engaged the
attention Of this body entitled him to. And
this modesty, this difidence, this distrnst
OF his own powers, were clear loss to this
House. For if Andrew Gerhart had more
frequently given the House the benefit of
his close reasoning, and his clear intuitive
perception of the correct solution OF the
many grave questions considered while he
was among US, have not an earthly doubt
our legislation would have been the bet
t-r. sf-a~ .F1.. $
/ say this, Mr.. Speaker, because as al
ready said, i knew him well, as well, per-
haps, as any other member on this floor.
1 cannot tell why, but there was bond of
friendship between us which was an unac-.
countable as it was cordial and sincere.
Our pursuits in life were dissimilar. His to
expound the sacred mysteries of that holy
religion in which all our hopes are center
ed, mine to realize by patient labor the sa.
cred promise that "seed time and harvest"
shall continue till the end OF time. Yet
day by day as our intercourse on this floor
continued, our intimacy grew closer. and
closer, and Dur friendship stronger and
stronger. deem it fitting, then, that l
should take this occasion to pay my humble
tribute to his memory. In doing so de.
sirelto speak only of the leading character
jstics which marked the man. Chief among
theseswefe his integrity and the firmness
with which he adhered to his views.
With him opinions were convictions. He
never in all my acquaintance with him,
permitted himself to form hasty conclu-
sions. but all 5the operations of his mind
were the exercise of his reasoning facui-
ties.- He was NOT, rapid thinker and was
therefore not brilliant speaker.
But while these qualities dazzle for the
time, they are not those which make the
most useful counsellor, either in public or
private lie No :'his were the more solid
habits of mind to investigate with cool,
patieutz and discriminating deliberation,
and to decide with q comprehensive judg-
ment which, when formed, became conYic-
tion. .,.---.
guided and controlled by markeddegree
of cotsseienciousness-a religious desire
always. to- be right and to discharge his
whole duty. Hence, as he sat here day by
dayfamOng ne. he never failed to give his
undivided attention to the business in
hand. No vote was cast by him, no opinion
expressed, no resolution or bill introduced,
until it had been carefully considered. and
approved by the sanction of his own judg-
ment. n Nor was, hes obstinate in his views,
or self opinionated,, and this resulted from
his modesty, and the Difference and respect
he always paid to the views and opinions
of others Above al, his whole life, mind
and conscience were characterized by
sincere belief in, and daily practice of
that religion whose sublime teachings it
was fifs profession in life to expound.
He rarely ever mingled in our debates,
but when he did 30 he spoke to the point,
and displayed q familiarity with the sub
ject- that was always instructing to his au.
dience.
He was q minister of the gospel, and
was one Of those preachers rarely seen,
who could take the part of citizen in the
political contests of the day without de-
.tracting from the dignity and respect of
his sacred Office. .Goils.i s19a;tz'i sse5e 5J s-
Ii, as we know is the fact in his private
relations with his neighbors; if in his pub
lie ministrations in his pulpit; il in his
political opinions; if in the public offices
whichlbe filled, he always commanded the
esteem Of all who knew him and all who
had Intercourse with him, whether friend
or stranger, then indeed can it be truthful
" said that AndreW, Gerhart was good
man. "a ~ ..s.sSEEEE a0a .ae.ie
in his seat no more; and that place where
he was more highly priced, and will be
more sadly missed 1.-The domestic fire.
side,s win see him and hear his voice no
more forever. ss-S y . es- a'ssg-
..Stefn tide Of human Time that know'st not rest
But sweeping from the cradle to the tomb. -5
Successive generations to their DOOM"
Mr. DENMAN said: 1sgs a siage
Mr.. SPEAKER:-I desire to say "a few
words In support of these resolutions /
A rst BECAME acq tainted with Mr.. .Gerhart
at the optmiDg of the session of 1868. He