The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-03-04
Speech Of DR., s. R. Waieu ON the Death
Of Hon. RaHhrdr Johnson.

The SENATE RESOLUTIONS, commemorative OF
~ death ~ Hon. Ruverdy johnson being
before the Houke, Id. Waters Of Carroll said:
Ms SpEAKER Although / ain not mem.
tef q that prolessioh which AIR. johnson
adorned in such an eminent degree, yet, re.
cognizing the fact that he was a Representative
man OF the people, as one Of their servants,
] desire to pause by the way-side and pay on
hpmble tribute "a. bis memory, aud mingle a
tear of sympathy With tbcirs, over the ashes
OF the mighty leader, who has been so sud.
dsnly semoped froal ths sphere of usefulness,
and earnest labor las | sincerely trust) TO that
"Test, /" The house not made with hands,
whose architect il the Great Jehovah, where
accidents are unknown.
| His name, Sir, is familiar household word
throughout the length and breadth of this
grand old Commonwealth, He was the peer
OF the highest and noblest Of earth, and yet,
lwilhal, possessed q sympathetic nature, a
heart TO feel and an ear open to the appeal OF
the humblest.
The announcement Of this sad visitation Of
Providence has cast death. shadow over the
entire land, In this ancient Capital city,
which was the scene Of his birth, and in whose
hhe.honored Institution he laid the founda-
ton of intellectual culture deep and broad;
II - - 'SathNtOhf WAuu III tb S0unNllb Ol the
Nation, and before the highest tribunal known
TO our laws, be had won imperishnhle laurels;
in our great Commercial Metropolis, which
was so often the scene Of his forensic triumphs,
the evidences of stricken and Borrowing
people are seen and heard, aye, beneath the
waves OF the dark blue sea" the lightning
has flashed along the wires, bearing the
mourntnl intelligence TO Britains shore, that
! Reverdy johnson, the Nestor Of American
Jurists, the great eNpounder of Constitutional
law. and advocate of human freedom, is no
morej that he has gone from labor to reward
All with whom he associated in the legal
| political, and diplomatic world, have felt the
prowess of his giant intellect
Mr.. Speaker, what bright example Ne has
left for the imitation of our American youth.
From an humble student Of the law lleaying
the Academic Halls Ut an early agel his star
has been in the ascendant till he has reached
the zenith of glory and greatness. and has in
| scribed his name on the highest niche in the
Temple Of Justice. Nra ss
1t Is truly said of him that he was compre-
henslve IN his views, controlled by "no pent-
up Utica, no State OF National lines. The
whole world was his field .......
The eminent Jurist, Statesman. and Schol.
ar has gone forever from among the hannts of
man. As beautifully expressed by another,
the star has shot from the sphere which il
Illuminated. " 1t has been shronded in the
gloom Of the night of death, but, thank God,
not forever. 1t will rise again and glitter and
burn with perpetual effdlgence, from the re.
Elected rays Of that bright throne In the beau.
tiiul City where God is the light thereof.
"How have the mighty fallen ?' This was
Israeps paintive moan, but from the stand,
point Of the cross (which was the foundation
on which the saperstneture Of the faith OF our
great departed rested, the answer comes fall.
en-, but to rise again, from death to life. from
the pail OF the tomb to The full fruition OF Sc.
raphie joy, redeemed, disenthralled.
As we commemorate the virtues Of depart
ed worth, and recall the actions Of our great
lights, " those who have left their footprints
on the sands Of time, and foremost among
them .Maryland,s sons--Luther Martin, vii,
ham Pinkney, Roger Brooke fancy, and now
keverdy johnson, at ripe old age, bearing
his sheaves with him, full Of honors, crowned
with laurels, added to the galaxy Of bright
stars in the glorious constellation Of American
Jurlsts--we feel that they have earned and
justly deserved an honorable fame.
Who then shall lightly say that fame
Is but an empty nAmef - .-
When but for these, our mighty dead,
All ages past blank would BE-. 1 IL Did
sunk In oblivions murky bed.
Adesert bare shipless sea- i
They are the distant objects seen. b., -. b
The lofty marks OF what has been,
When memory OF the mighty dead ~
10 earh-worn Pilgrims wlstfnl eve,
Tbs brightest rays of cheering she'd - .- ia
That points TO immortality