Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1880-03-20
SPEECH OF SENATOR VEST.

uclSuboI. anu 10 'AaC @"N 'Aos"y
friend.
SPEECH OF SENATOR VEST.
Mr.. President, to simply state tina
1 knew Alfred NJ. Lay we'll. would
be gross injustice to the intimate
friendship which existed between us
for>more than q quarter Of q centu'
ry. l knew him so thoroughly anc
loved him so much, for no shadow
ever came between US, that i'll paying
this tribute to his memory l shall
avoid all mere decoration of words
and III plain phrase of simple truth
speak of him who
Loved and lived the truth 50 we'll.
Alfred Morrison Lay was born In
Lewis county. Missouri, Oh the 20tf
day of May, 1886. Iu 1856 he gradu'
ated at Bethany College, Virginia,
and commenced the study Of law in
the Office of General James B. Gard
enhirs, then atttOrney-general of Mis-
souri,. Upon his admission to prac'
tice iu 1857 he became General Gar.
deuhire's partner, and in less than two
years was appointed United States
attorney for the western district Of
Missouri. This position ne held until
August, 1861, when O Ems of duty,
distinct aud emphatic, caused him to
resign and enter the Missouri state
guard, where he served with the rank
of major. In the winter Of 1861-'6z
he was taken prisoner, but was ex.
changed in the fall of 1862, and re-
NAMED in the confederate service IN.
til the close of the war, being paroled
at Vickssurgh in 1865.
Returning to Jefferson City, he re.
sumed the practice of his profession.
and in 1874 became a candidate for
congress in q contest certainly the
most remarkable in the political his.
rnry OF Missouri, If not in that of the
Union. For more than q week the
dominating convention balloted be.
tween three candidates, Mr.. Lay,
Hon. L. L. Crittenden, and Hon. John
f. Philips, and tor six hundred and
n%lmety-one ballots MIR. Lay received
the largest number Of votes. Be.
iieving 1t his duty i'll the interest OF
his party and district 10 terminate
the struggle, fast de%genersting into q
bitter persouOl contest, Mr.. Lay then
withdrew. and Col. Philips was nom.
ima,ei aud elected.
In 1875 Ms. Lay was chosen. with.
out opposition, Il member of the CON
sIiiutionai convention of Missouri
a"i assisted in framing the state con
,tiiution nov in force.
In 1876 he was again a candidate
far congress ; but Colonel Crittender
received the nomination. And in 1875
tie long aud proiracted struggle il
the district terminated by the nomi
nation of Mr.. Lay over Colonel Crit
tcnden.
Mr.. President. in all political aue
vel personal history l do not know
IA sadder page tDan that upon which
is written the termination of the ell
suing v and of q life's ambi
ton. As the deceased had often tolt
iue. it was the dream of his boyhoOt
To represent his native state in tn,
national congress. At last, after year
of struggle, the hour came when hi
hand reached to the prize. and evel
III that moment be was stricken
down.
At n of his last appointments, AN,
while addressing gu audience, Nj
Lay was attacked by paralysis all,
his home, he partially recovered, blu
was all inactive spectator of the re
mainder of the CANVASS, which ter
minated in his election by a large ma
jority.
Actuated by an earnest sense O
duty aud against medical advice, b
attended the commencement of tn
extra session, but after a few days re
turned to the Hot Springs Of Arkau
sas, to which he had repaired som
weeks before. HIS health improving
be- determined to attend this session
aud We travelled together from S,
Louis. On that Journey he talked t
lie often and earnestly of his condi
ton aud of his full preparation TO
amy change. Although anxious 70
recovery, he we'll knew the insidiou
Zoe whose grasp had been relaxed bu
not released, and, he awaited the re
suit, al he had every event of life
tearlessly and calmly. On the 7th da,
of December, 1879, it m Ate
retiring at the National Hotel, il
this city, he Vas again attacked b,
Phl clS, duu ulco a. Hall EdoG Sel
O'Clock the next day.
No life is perfect, but each has it
aggregate of good or evil ; and, asid
IRON empty panegyric, this at las
must be the question as each of u
drifts out upon the shoreless ocean
"Was his life for good or evil; wer
its duties performed Z"
MIR. President, standing in this hig'
presence, l. who knew the dead il
tlmately i'll peace aud war, in sun
shine and shadow, IS citizen, soldier
husband, father and friend, bear ties
tlinOny before all the world tina
everywhere and at all times he wa
modest, firm, Intelligent, earnest all
true.
As a lawyer Mr.. Lay was singular
~ faithful. his skill and judgment III
questionable. Consistent aud cor
sciehtious, as a citizen and in his PR
Vate relations he was without re
pioach. Other lives may have bee
more eventful, but never one q
which it could be more truthful
said, at Wds devoted to duty."
OF my friend | have spoken as
knew him. and it only remains fu
nc now, III the name of the state @
Missouri, to place this Offering on hi
grave.
1 10Y the adoption of the resolu
ton offered by my colleague.
The resolution was agreed to unar
imously.
As a further mark of respect to tn
memory of the deceased, l move this
the senate do now adjourn.
Ihe motion was agreed to, and q
Ii O'Clock aud 1fty-two minutes +
M, the senate adjourned.
One of tho cheapest things in tn
world is q pleasant smlle.-Hack ensac
Republican. If ysu are asked" it is.