Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1883-03-21
Remarks of Mr.. Donly.

The following remarks were made
by the Hon. j. T. Donly, of this eoun-
ty, in the Legislature on the I'd inst,
upon resolution providing for a tribute
of respect to the memory of the Hon.
s. M.Loveland, member from Mercer
County in the session of 1881, and who
died at his home in that county shortly
after the adjournment of that session :
"Mr Speaker, as l was one of the
committee to draft resolutions relating
to the death of Hon: Solomon NJ. Love
land, it is perhaps meet for me to say
a few words in honor of his memory.
Although / was not personally ac-
quainted with him, yet representing
as he did the same section of our State
that gave me birth, / feel the more at
liberty to drop kind word in sympa-
thy with his, friends at home and his
fellow members of this House, who
Join in common coincidence, over the
loss of good and useful citizen and an
efficient member of the State Legisla-
ture. Mr.. Speaker, it is common on
occasions of this kind, when nations
and States mourn the loss of states
men, princes and warriors, to cover up
their faults and follies, to speak only
of the noble acts of their lives, and it
is perhaps well but in the midst OF
sad memories here tonight l am happy
to say that on this occasion there is no
need to hide anything of the past, but
I am perfectly willing to let the sun
light of perfect day reveal every feature
of the past.
| 1t is not brilliancy of character that
shines most brightly at an hour like
this; deeds of daring in the warrior,
great oratory in the statesman are, it
is true, stars in the galaxy of noble
deeds-but when life has ebbed away
| the brightest jewel by far that remains
is the memory of noble, honest, stain.
less life. l can say (without, think,
a breath of suspicion to the contrary
that this was the character of the late
member from Mercer, whose memory
we tonight cherish.
Educated in the common schools
reared up in the peaceful avocation Of
the farmer justice of the peace; school
director brigade inspector burgess
and then, in the year lS8l-Represen.
tative CT his county in this House, per-
forming his duties here with unwaver'
ing fidelity +; and then, ere his mission
of usefulness was ended, in the zenith
of mental activity cut off like a shock
of corn,' not fully ripe, he has been
gathered to his fathers-he has gone
the way of all the earth.
Death, come when it may, is sad and
melancholy, but after all, to the true
Christian land we are satisfied he war
one) much of the sting is taken away
Death is natural, and why should we
mourn, for we all do fade as the leaf
and will soon pass away and be for
gotten?a ,l1- g, p F
To conclude, let me say, in behalf o
this Assembly, to the friends of this
departed one, in the language of tht
great and good Dr. Franklin, in his let
ter to a friend concerning the death o
John Franklin. He says 1--WE con
dole you you have lost a dear apt
valuable relation; but why lamcn'
since in death we part with all pains
or possibility of rsiGg. Our friend ant
I'VE were invited abroad 70 g party o
pleasure bis chair was ready first, ant
be has gone before US. Why should
we sorrow since we are soon to follow
and know where to find him." Let VI
take this monition to ourselves: 'B'
ye also ready, for in such an hour as "
think not the Son Of Man cometh.'"