The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-09
O 3 IT U A r Y
James w. Grimes.

James w. Grimes.
This distinguished statesman and ex-senator OF
| the United States, whom rumOr had already slain
| once twice previously, died in sad earnest at
| Burlington, Iowa, ON Wednesday evening last.
About fortnight ago alarming symptoms of heart
| disease were manifested by sharp spasm Of pain,
which attacked the Senator while In the street. He
| was carried home and ever since remained in a
state OF extreme nervous prosIratlon. On Tuesday
last there were three attacks closely following each
other. OF the same serious character the first and
| again on "Wednesday evening there were three
| strokes the last OF which proved fatal.
Senator Grimes was born In Deering, Hillsboro
county, N. H., N 1916 After gong through rudi-
| mentary course at Hampton Academy he was sent
| to Dartmouth College, and graduated with honor
in the class OF 1886. In the same year lie went out
West and took up his residence at Burlington, which
has ever since been his home lie here entered upon
the study Of The law, and soon acquired sufficient
legal knowledge to qualify HIM for practice in the
| backwoods. He easily met with fair success. and
like all country lawyers, took active nterest-as
| much, probably, Tor the sake OF occupation as
| from cholce-in politics. In 1888 he was
first honored by the people with substantial proof
OF their confidence by being elected a member of
the first General Assembly or the Territory of Iowa.
From that time Till near his death he was con-
stantly engaged In public affairs. In 1854 he was
chosen Governor Of the State and served till 1868
with marked degree OF popularity. In 1859, how
ever, he entered upon the most important part Of
his career He was In that year elected member
OF the United States Senate, and, having been r..
elected in 1865 for second term ne served until
1869, when threatened paralysis compelled him to
resign his seat; From almost the date Of his ad.
men r. Hs was early appointed Chairman
was made q member OF the Committee on Naval
Affairs, continuing In the latter place until his
resignation. He also served for several years on
the Committees on Public Lands and Buildings.
He had always been wing and at the outbreak OF
patriotic attitude he assumed, and, through even
the most dreary Crises OF That terrible struggle
public" HIS eloquence; however, was Of the Sc.
we're and practical type, and ne served his country
plentiful illusions OF ford buncomoe, but
Dy qulely mastering , the thousand and
the papers Of the Committee on Naval Affairs, and
In presenting them to the Senate IN their coors.
Perhaps ne did III this way better service than some
or his fellow members VINO filed the land with the
| echoes OF their rhetoric.
After the war ne was one OF the seven members
| OF the celebrated Reconstruction Committee ana
signed the majority report having steadily
tended for the impolicy Of handing over the con.
He was. however, specially careful to temper JUS
uce with mercy, and from the outset expressed
ment compatible with safety more liberal policy.
Nor was Il long ere ne gave signal proof OF
tneSe kln0ly eXpreSSlOnS Vi SenLll0eutal states.
manship. AS chairman OF the subcommittee
on the State or Tennessee he fought hard and long
for the readmssion OF that errng sister to her iull
privileges as q memner OF the family OF American
c0mmOnwealths, and IL was In great degree owing
10 his efforts that she was so soon after the
of Andrew Johnson, however. was the browning
crisis OF the senator's career. Although so thor.
hesltated at the reckless craftsmanship which, with
sheer, thrust from its pain every obstacle to
gm and aa n, mot STOP a.
tain the purpose Of the movement and secure to Its
own use the spOlls OF federal patronage. Senator
abuse OF the power conndod to q majority Dy the
people, and 1t was In no slight measure due to his
ieaied. His course. was Of course, bitterly de-
nounced by the radical Journals, and they did not
hesitate to- suggest that personal amot
hon, in the shape OF promise by Mr.
presidency, had dictated his action AT
the close Of the struggle Mr.. Grimes condescended
to reply to these and other similar calumnies In
letter whose concluding words bear strong W.T.
acter ut is true, - said he, "that when TOOK an
Oath that in all things apperainlng to the trial of
the impeachment OF Andrew Johnson would rem.
der impartial justice according to the constitution
and the laws | ceased to act in q representative
capacity: l became Judge, acting on my own
science and my Maker. And NO power can force
me TO decide IN such case contrary to my convic-
tons, 10 suit the requirements or o party whether
that party were opposed to my friends or my enc
mies.'
good and great man. HIS life, soon after the i'm.
parchment was clouded over by the shadow OF
disease. He was threatened with paralysis. and
the doctors insisted upon mis- resignation or his
and removal from the exciting but, to him. perilous
arena or politics. To secure perfect rest trip TO
Europe was ordered, and after staying there about
year, the Senator returned with health which,
though not strong, good enough to yield fair
new attack OF heart disease, however supervened,
and proved more fatal than the malady which had
been conquered.