The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1881-02-02

compass aud grasp Of them all. Their lot In lire
Is cast in a more favored aud elevated condition
of society than was HIS. Educational facilities
are superior The social and religious
OPPORTUNITIES are far I'm advance of what they
were in the days Of his opening struggles with
Hfe's hopes and cares. IL has been charged that
Republics are ungrateful. But the career of this
dead Governor OF Indiana Is complete refuta-
ton of the charge. In this land of the free and
home of the brave everyone is sure to reap har-
vest proportienate TO his deserts. There are ne
titles here 70 be inherited; no primogeniture TO
curse the race. Each one enters On life the
arbiter Of ais own fortune. and starts in the
fellows
The road is open 10 all alike, and the humblest
may balloa for the first honors OF the Nation.
There / no other Nation that can point 70 as
rise of self-made men as our own wonderful coun-
try, which has been in the past, is now, and ever
wiz be, prolific OF great men, Andrew jackson
boy, and bid adieu to the civilized world its
most hOnored and distinguished citizen. The
brilliant crescent of the mill-boy OF the
il eliminated in the splendid and
isamOrtal Harry OF the West. The rising star of
glory. of the wagon boy of ohio rose like meteor
To- its4zenith and charmed a listening senate with
his eloquence. The rail splitter OF Spencer Coun-
ty. Indiana, developed into the immortal martyr
President. And in sister state. amid the ranks
OF those who yet live. may lie viewed a brilliant
illustration, the scintillaton of whose rays OF
glory are restrained only by the horizon OF the
worlds mind. And Of n kindred but. we admit,
of Indiana's dead Governor. l now, with plea
sure and confidence. call the attention OF the
young men OF the State 10 il. point them TO the
record OF his long and successful career Tor their
contemplation. and ms "A model for them 10 study,
to initiate and to follow 90 TINS win me con- con,
receive the plaudits Of their fellow men while
they live. and be enrolled among the honored
Speaker, may ] not slightly change. and then
adopt as appropriate in this connection, the sen
timent Of a iayorite American poet; and say OF
the summons came for him 10 join the
Vulnerable caravan that moves 10 that undiscoy
cred country from whose bourne no traveller re,
HIS couch about him and laid down TO pleasant
dreams.
HON. W. NJ. o'BRIEN.
Mr.. SPEAKER-withOut desiring to bring poll
tics into discussion ON the present occasion, be-
cause we have met here today not as partisans
but as members of the General Assembly, and rs
citizens Of the State OF Indiana, 10 express our
not forget that during the campaign of four
years ago, the opposite party seemed to
weapon than 10 intimate that Governor Williams
plain man; that he n farmer, and that
he had no experience in craftsmanship: that he
was devoid OF the finer elements and acquire
ments: that he was unoouth, etc. But / am glad
that the spirit lived throughout the length and
breadth of the Statei which made the people de
eide between the two men In favor
OF the man who was Ieviled and derided.
We may learn from this, fellow-citizens; that
the people are willing TO acknowledge and give
honor To the true man, and | am glad that when
the excitements of political contests are over the
American an, people are ever ready to forget the
and without respect of party are ready TO
acknowledge true worth.
Mr.. SPEAKER-I feel, sir, that would not be-
doing my duty II ] did not in some small degree.
participate in the ceremonies of this hour. ! am
like the gentlemen who has just taken mis- seat.
whose remarks I think fitlV made |
not only the political friend Of the late deceased
Governor Williams, but was also his
warm personal friend, and had his
confidence for more than twenty years.
much Of the time hc was my adviser. IL has
been said here to-day that he was not great
man. The question sometimes arises In my
mind ''Who are the great mem" undertake To
say that Governor Williams was grcatin goodness;
great in practical goodness; great in what makes
10 the suffering. He sympathiZed with the lowly.
Governor Williams. 1t has been truly said. was
one one of the pioneers His schooling and educa-
ton was acquired in the school of experience.
He moved. as IL were. into the unbrOkeu forest
aud became a citizen of the State Of Indiana
when the wolves might yet be heard bowling
was not far in the distance. He commenced
his career, rs was said by the gentleman from
Knox Mr.. Cauthornel. more than fifty years ago,
In our state felled the forest ana was in advance
of almost any other man of his time and expert
ence. He fought the battles of life, and may say
here his honesty WAS never suspected. Ills name
has never been furnished. The stigma Of cprrup-
ton was never upon his garments and say this
of man who has held the highest Office in the
In his political life; he has had
for his opponents such men as the
late deceased Governor Morton, leader in HIS
party. and the distinguished gentleman General
Harrison) who has been receetly hOnored by
the General Assembly Of the State Of Indiana
with seat In the United States Senate. being the
Successful competitor Of the latter gentleman In
the race for Governor Governor
who did not outiive his usefulness II has often
been said Of men that they live too long. Why?
Because they had made such mistakes that the
judgment of the people was against them. Gov
ernor Williams commenced in the humble posi-
ton aS Township Justice: was afterward elected
to seat in the legislature; then elevated
County. He was elected 20 the Congress Of the
United States, and while performing the duties of
his h,is,-,o Office ice, as g., GongTessman from his
party in Convention assembled, he was called %
become the standard-bearer of the great Demo
cratic party IN Gubernstorial race; he respond
ed modestly accepted the position, took the
banner in his hand aud marched to vic
tory Yet IL may he said he was not
great. as some men consider greatness. ! can |
say, Mr.. Speaker. he great in that which |
makes man great. He was honest; he was fru- /
gal; he looked 70 the interest of the people; he |
with the lOuTiy; he was opposed To
monopOlies. In legislation he opposed all classes
of monopolies, and was one Of the men who be- |
lleved we had too much legislation.
Gentlemen; have word OF tribute on this |
OCCASION; can only say that his example is !
worthy of emulation. His chief delight was i'm |
agriculture and in the encouragement of agri |
culture and he was elevated TO the highest Office
in the gift OF the people Of his State aud us IL ha
been said by the gentleman who has just taken
his seat, no man has reason 10 blush that James |
d. Williams was the Governor of indiana I'm The |
great centennial year
HON. r. BERRYSAS.
/ will only add few words to what has been so
aptly said of the life and public services of JAMES
ID. Williams Starting in life without education. |
but having for his friends strong and an !
iron will, he battled successfully with life by |
economy and business tact as farmer, he gained |
property, hut never dishonesty. As public ser /
want. feeling his obligations To God TO man. and /
himself his execution OF the business thrust upon
him showed that he of those who |
would count life by heart-throbs. when /
they beat for God. for man. for duty James ID. |
yours and mine must decay. The soil of the val /
ley hides all that remains of n good man. who |
died with no stain upon his character, no blot
upOn his name. We can carry in our minds some |
of Kim whose voice csn longer be |
head, and so far as we may, emulGse his virtues,
that In little while cur short lives
will be rounded with sleep.
HON. J. W. BUsKIRK.
Mr. sPEAKER-In this discussion, as wen as
others, which have had the pleasure 90 hear the
3 great man has been made prominent Accord l
ing TO NY idea. james ID. Williams was great i
man He filed all the positions TO which he was 4
called 10 the satisfaction OF The people, aud rose
from the ranks 10 the highest place in their l
pft. 1t has been said that moth |
lug succeeds like success and If nan's |
ability is to be- Judged by his achievements. Gov
Williams NCa "A rpaf LIST ~ nor