Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1876-08-30
The Late Speaker Kerr.

III
he position excites variety of popu
lar emotions that seem to have no pla
Tor one who comes to his end in thu
private station 1t is because of tn,
, associations that cluster about III,
public places as well as for reason,
that go to the public character. Tn,
late Speaker Kerr held firmly the
equal respect and affection of men OF
all parties by whom he was known.
Inc oppression OF his public characte,
is one that suggests as its elements
and developments both what was stern
and what was tender. But the stein
ness came ont IN more prominent and
granite features because of the times
Ordinarily it might have manifested
itself no further than as a bare suo-
gestion of the ruggedness of an in
Dorm integrity, but under the pressure
OF injurious surroundings it hardened
at once into the form OF AN inyincible
hostility. Snch nature, fortunate
snpremely in its endowments. is the
one in whose deep soil to look for the
growth Of those plants OF tenderness
and affection which transform it into
garden ofpcrpetual friendships When
the dastardly attack was made on
speaker heir rom II secret quarter
through the agency Of party solutions,
1t was absolutely touching to mark
the meek manIlncss which instantly |
proved ITS complete possession .. him,
and freely challenged every scrap of
evidence that might tend to discover
him, if possible, in new light even to
himself.
As lawyer, Mr.. Kerr punued his
chosen profession with a consistency
and delight that are everywhere the
pledges OF ultimate success and he
achieved the success which he felt
that his talents and requirement truly
deserved. Always a student, and re.
treshing his intellect at the LIVING
springs of classical learning, he re-
joiced in the healthy growth of his
powers and continually rededicated
them to the service of the public. His
political views were embedded in
principles as sound and fundamental
as were the conspicuous traits of his
character. lie was a Democrat in the
grain, not contagiously or from idlv
drifting in the cross-currents of policy, ,
AZ legislator his superior qualities ,
brought him an early recognition,
which his consistency in service only '
expanded to deep respect and lasting i
confidence. In the reorganization of b
he popular branch of Congress on a 1
Democratic basis after lapse of FL b
cen years, it was no ordinary compli- 5
''""+ s." ~ .~-~l' i'".oy ~ .,,......Ivu
nm to the Sponsorship and clothe him
With the authority Of a pilot in getting
he ship OF state ont of the trough of
he sea in which she had SO long been
rtting. The demon Of iIl-health
owever, threw down its boding shad-
W before him, and warned him of
ne precarous tenure by which he
eId life and honors together. His -
ntorced absence from the Assembly ca
nat so lately transmitted him its d di
'"ch1ng expressions Of sympathy and ii.
'spect, was borne unmurmuringly by NJ
he spirit that always resigned itself
the will Of its Creator, and after be
'1ferIng long but patiently, in the
idst OF family and friends, and con- =
ious of being crowned with the love :
I'd respect Of all, he bowed his head A'
ut died. Boston Post ,