The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-11-23
THEPATH'OF GLORY
IN ANOTHER INSTANCE IT LEADS
BUT TO THE GRAVE"
Governor Williams Career Euded by the
Hand OF Death-A Man Whose
Fidelity TO Oncial Duty
vas Never Doubted-
Tribute oiRespeei.

INDIANAPOLIS, November 22,-Goyeruo
Williams remains laid in state at the Cour
House from half past eleven until FIVE /
NJ. The cataialque was placed in tn
main corridor Of the building, which wa
tastefully decorated with bunting AM
flags. The door way and balustrade
were heavily hung with black draping
Among the floral offerings was broker
column surmounted by rainbow, con
tributed by the Jefferson Club; flora
motto, "At rest" from Mrs. s. R. Downey
wreath, star, cross and anchor, from thl
inmates OF the Blind Asylum; cross ant
crown, and large shield, from the Com
mittee on Arrangements. At the foot o.
the coffin stood large broken column
Eve and half feet high, sent by the
State officers. AT five o'clock the remains
were taken back to the Washington Clnt
rooms, from where they will be removed
tomorrow and will be taken to his old
home for interment.
MEMORIAL TRIBUTE.
The adjourned meeting OF citizens to
take suitable action upon the death OF Gen.
eral Williams, was held this afternoon in
the Criminal Court rooms, Senator Nc.
Donald presiding. Among those in attend.
anCe was GoyernoI.eleCt Porter, who ar.
rived home last night. Judge Gresham
presented the following from the com.
mittee appointed 10 draft resolutions ex-
pressing the sense OF this meeting:
We meet as citizens of great State to
make known our sorrow for the death OF
the Hon. James D. Williams, whose life
and service OF the State, as It's Chief Mag
istrste, were simultaneously ended on last
Saturday. We also come to record our
estimate Of his character and worth as a
man and as servant OF the people. Gov.
ernor Williams fidelity to official duty was
never questioned; but he never forgot that
he belonged to the great body Of ciuzsus
who pay the taxes and whose highest duty
and pride it Is TO contribute 10 the work OF
developing and building up material pros
perity and promoting the intellectual ad.
vancement OF the people. While a young
man he evinced taste for public affairs
and an aptitude for dealing With them,
which are exceptional even among men
whose special training naturally evokes
these qualities. Discovering this, his
neighbors called him to public station,
AS his services in the State Legislature
and in Congress for go many years we're
always marked by the highest sense OF his
responsibility to his constituency and an
undeyiation OF fidelity TO the public inter
ests, he never permitted the formali.
ties OF official station to restrict
the freedom OF his intercourse with
the people, and while he was Governor
the humblest citizen OF the State could
approach him at all times without embar.
rassment. 1t Is worthy OF note and en-
phasis, that Governor Williams was man
OF singular purity OF character. His pri.
yate and domestic virtues are attested by
all who enjoyed the intimacy of his per.
sonal friendship, and his official integrity
was never blurred by even an imputation
Of dishonesty. His conception OF official
station. was, that 1t was public trust, to
be administered with the same care,
prudence and loyalty which wise man
would bestow upon his private affairs. 1t
is to his honor, that at the time when the
tendencies in official station were
in the direction OF lavish and care
less expenditures Of the public moneys,
be used his influence in Con.
gress to check these tendencies and
10 expose the existing abuses. As
Governor he evinCed the same watchful
care OF public interests and, though q
warm partizan, no alleged party necessity,
no considerations Of peronai friendship
could swerve him from what he believed
to be the path OF duty. 1t has been said
OF him, that he was too liberal in the use
Of the pardoninG power. The records OF
his Office disclose the fact that the last act
Of his official life was the granting OF a
respite to q man condemned 10 die. That
be was too merciful in dealing with bis iel-
low.morials will not be remembered
sgalnst him by the mercilnl Judgein whose
presence he now stands.
Measured by the best standard, Gov.
ernor Williams was worthy citizen. a
faithful public servant, good man. His
virtues were many and conspicuous, land
even his iailings leaned to virtues side."