Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1872-02-15
Statesman Gone!

ling.on on Wednesday night, from an
attack of heart disease. Thus is end
ed the career OF M of the giant men
whose labors and abilities were given
freely TO the bringing forward OF
Iowa as a State and the Republican
party to Its first and last hard fought
battle and victory. Tie death OF 50
distinguished a nan as Senator
Grimes will bring a genuine sorrow
to the hearts OF II people. Iden-
tilted with Iowa and all its interests
from an early day the acknowledg.
ed and able leader as well as organi.
Ter OF the Republican party in the
State; imbued thoroughly with \
love and yenerat,on for the princl
pies Of Liberty and Equality an
earnest, uncompromising enemy OF
all institutions that held men in chains
and the mind enthralied, he drew
about him such a Gordon of strong
and potent influences that he became
a moving power, granlly sublime il
character, and the peer OF any man
prominent and working with him in
the great reform in the Natien, that
ended only in the great and CORY
drama of war. Contessedly the great.
est man Iowa ever has had, under
whose guidance the party won Its
first victory, his loss will be felt and
sincerely regretted by all circles.
Wherever the choice OF the people
placed him, whatever the duties OF
the position, they were discharged
with a taithtulness and with a SINGER
ity of purpose, an integrity and just
ness, that has stamped his career as
| that Of a man who had but few equals
in his day and no superlors. There
are those OF us who have a vivid re-
membrance Of the grand old man,
when in the full power OF manhood,
he led the handful OF men in the State
agrinst the enemy, who knew the ex-
tent OF his labors and the enthusiasm
with which he entered the unpromis-
ing contests, transmitting to others .
baptism of the same unconquerable
spirit, until the entire organization
was keenly alive and determined with
it's leader Tor certain victory. These
days of political warfare, though
Q II and out OF the remembrance OF
many, are days full OF honor and rep.
utation for the distinguished states.
man deceased.
Deserving, by reason of great
deeds and noble actions; by worth
as a man and as a citizen, the esteem
of the people of Iowa, and holding in
their hearts a home that death will
only serve to make more sacred, and
more holy. as the clustering years
hang the ,mmorteNes Of mourning
memory upon his tomb, to us who
remain is left the task TO study the
lessons illustrated by an active, hon
orable lite.
Hon. James w. Grimes was born
at Decring, New Hampshire, Goth
October, 1916; receiving his educa-
ton at Hampton Academy, and at
Dartmouth College, graduating with
distinguished honor at the head OF
his class. In his student lite we have
an early illustration OF tho active
Mantle that followed. Nothing was
allowed to come between him and
the great object OF his most earnest
etfort-a thorough and complete ed.
ucation. No sacrifice was too great
but that :. ~~e ehesrf"lly made that
his scholastic training could SO on
uninterruptedly. Guided by such
determination, the result, justly con
sldcring him as a profound, cultured
scholar, was hat which invariably at.
tends the efforts of those true to
themselves and industrious for them
selves. In the days when Iowa was
known only as a Territory, when its
present magnificence aud greatness
never even entered the mind most
imaginative for accomplishment in so
short a time, the West presented to
young Grimes, then q young law stu
dent, the inducements sufficient to
cause an emigration to the land then
nearly unknown. Young Grimes
came to the West with the determin-
alton to grow up with it, ana share
its days Of prosperity as well as those
beclouded with adversely. At Bur-
lington, We believe, in 1886, he made
his settlement, and there commenced
the practice OF law, with marked sue.
cess attending him. At once taking
an active part in public affairs, he
was elected a member of the Gener-
al Assembly in 1888, and tor the
three successive sessions, If we are
not at fault in our memory. In 1854
the first victory for tho Republican
party in the State and for the State
Ticket was achieved, and he chosen
Governor, and re CHOSEN in 1856
giving HIM the honor OF four years in
that position. The Senatorial elec
ton coming OIL at the close OF his sec.
ond Gubernatorial term, he was cho
sen United States Senator, in place
Of Hon. George w. Jones, the Dem.
ocratic incumbent. In 1865 he was
again endorsed tor that position, hold.
ing it until his resignation, rendered
IN the summe OF 1869. His indie
pendent action in relation to the i'm.
parchment of Andrew Johnson has
become a matter OF history, but
while it is such, it Is also a like mat.
ter that in that action he rendered
the party that had his best thoughts
and most eloquent efforts, a service
that the after years have proven to
H. - A.. 5000 = =
value. How much any of us disa.
greed with HIM on this OCCASION, no
one doubted his honest belief. His
character as Iowa's Executive tor
four years, and his career in the SEN
ate, enter into the historic page of
the State. No nan ever discharged
the duties more befittingly, in either
honored positions, and no man can
point to a long career SO wholly un.