The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-11-25
YoNkERS IN MOURNING.
Tributes to the Vi emory OF Alexander smith
william Allen Buffers Address.

In Nonkers, on Saturday evening, Repub-
licans and Democrats met. and services were
performed in memory Of the lato Alcxan-
der Smith. who died on the night Of his election
10 Congress. Tho table on the platform wns
draped in black velvet. and basket Of lilies
and tuberoses stood in front OF II. Every scat
in the hall was filed and many. unable to OBJ
tain chairs. stood up in the passages Mr. Will
liam Allen Butler was the first speaker.
Mr.. Butler said that in the deeth Of Mr. Smith
trusted associate had been removed from
business circles and from the State repre-
sentative oi the people ind been taken away
He was born near Trenton. Nj. on oct. IA
ISIS His father was farmer. ana in his early
life he had all the advantages accruing 10 an
outdoor life. His mental and physical capaci-
ties were both early developed. and, To use his
own words he had attained his full growth at
the age OF fourteen years. and WIS able then 10
do As much work rs man. He went 10 West
chester with his father. and worked steadily in
was twenty-one he was Postmaster Of the VIII
lnge in which he lived. and Colonel of militia
regiment. Early IN ne he opened carpet fac
tory in West Farms but he was not Immediately
successful. and after a hard and courageous
struggle with ~ fortune he was compelled 20
close. He went 10 Schenectady and engaged us
an assistant in q carpet factory, but the opening
OF the war found him again in business for
himself. aud on tho high road TO prosperity
The civil contest caused him some financial
embarrassment for he owned much property
In the South. hct he soon redeemed his losses
the tide OF fortune. when u conhngration de-
siroyed his factory In West Farms. leaving him
nothing but the American flag, slightly
scotched. which was rescued with difficulty
from the flames. He built q new factory. but N
1864 that was also destroyed by fire. together
with Il loom which represented long years Of
pniient labor. He did not succumb hut went TO
work again with renewed energy From West
Farms he removed 90 lonkcrs. and there il
might be said. his first real success was achieved.
He soon became the leader in the branch Of
manufacture 10 which he was devoted. He
made no backward step in the conduct Of his
affairs. He took ont patents in France and
England. and both countries acknowledged the
merits OF his work. IL was casting no stigma
upon his opponent to say that Mr.. Smith : per-
sonal popularity WAS 50 great that he seemed to
have an easy victory; yet, 10y the mysterious
workings Of Providence. when the air WAS ring
ING with shouts oi his triumph. they were
sllenced by the announcement 81 his nwiully
sudden denth. Tho speaker could rrcolle,t
only one instance nj all similar 10 Mr. Smith =
sudden death-when the opponent OF Edmund
Burke died upon the hustiugs. On the follow
ing day Mr.. Burke. speaking Of the event. said.
What shadows We are. and what shadows We
perceive"
Brief addresses wcre delivered by the Rev.
DR.. l.. II. King Judge +. j, Baird. Supervisor
James h. Lawrence. and the Rev. DR.. David
Cole. The audience. led by Mr.. Harding. sang
Nearer. my God. 10 Thee" and the Rev. A.
Mclean pronounced the henediction.