The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1880-06-24
SOMETHING ABOUT THE BAY
ARDS.

The death Of ex-senator James Ashe-
ton Bayard was long expected, and he
breathed his last on Sunday, June Is.
He was born in Wilmington, Della
ware, in 1899, and was the son Of Hon.
James Asheton Bayard, Sr., who was
born in Philadelphls, in 1867, was ed
ucsted at Princeton, New Jersey, and
came to Delaware in early life, and was
elected to the National House of Rep
resentatives In 1897, as a Federalist,
where he signalized himself In con-
nection with the defeat of Aaron Burr,
and the election of President Jeffer-
son. On that occasion there was no
choice by the people, and the election
OF a president devolved upon the House
of Representatives. The Elder James
A. Bayard cast a blank vote for Della
ware, and induced the Vermont repre-
sentative to do likewise, thus securing
the election of Jefferson. This occur
red in 1901, and Jefferson was chosen
on the thirty-sixth ballot. He served
in the House of Representatives, for
some years, and was appointed, but
declined, the ministry to France. In
1904 he was elected United States SEN
ator, and in 1918 he resigned, for the
purpose of attending IN person to the
treaty then pending between the United
States and England, upon the success
full termination of which he died, In
the forty-eighth yesr of his age.
Though young when death overlook
him, he had already won the distinc-
tion of being one of the ablest states-
man of his time. HIS wife was the
daughter of Hon. Richard Bassett,
who was a member of the convention
that framed the constitution of the
United States, and United States sem
ator, governor and chiet justice, and
he had been an officer attached TO Gen.
Washington's immediate command.
His eldest son, Richard, served for
seven years in the United States senate.
James A. Bayard, his second soD, was
a graduate of Princeton college, and
became q lawyer Of great distinction.
At the breaking up of the Federal par
ty in 1924 came the contest between
John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay. An
drew Jackson and William II. Craw-
ford, of Georgia, Mr.. Bayard being an
advocate of Crawford. Jackson re-
ceived majority of the popular vote,
but the election was thrown into the
House of Representatives and Adams
was declared elected president. Mr..
Bayard became supporter of jackson
and ardently advocated his claims
in the campaign OF 1928. when
he was elected President. AZ
ter many years of struggling in the
interest Of Democracy In Delaware
James A. Bsysrd was elected to the
United States Senate in 1851. He was
elected .to the Senate the third time.
Within year after bis last reelection
Congress passed the ''iron-clad test
oath," which was vehemently opposed
by Mr.. Bsyard. He denounced the
imposition of such an obligation as un-
constitutional; but, when it had re-
ceived the sanction Of the Senate, he
took the oath to show his loyalty as .
citizen and Immediately resigned his
position in the Senate 10 Indicate what
he felt to be the injustice of requiring
8 senator, whose loyalty was unim-
to subscribe to such an oath
IN violation of the constitution. He
was again elected to the United States
Senate to complete an unexpired term
caused by the death Of Mr.. Riddle.
Mr.. Thomas F. Bsysrd. his son, was
then elected 20 the United States Sem
ate, and the fathers term expired and
the sons term began ct midday, March
4. 1859. The deceased ex-senator had
great capacity for study ard was pos
sessed ofmuch physical endursnce, and,
like the living Bayard. was Of most
commanding parsonage. SHch is .
brief insight into the family q . gem
tlensn prominentlJ mentioned Cor the
presidency. The Bnyards have sprung
from revolutionary pstriots. and one
after another they have shone as sttte'-
men, while Thomss ?. Bayard Is the