The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-02-01

sources comes united testimony to his
courage and intTepidity in open war,
and how in its hazards and its hard
ships equal with his men he shared.
But of these things others here having
personal knowledge can better speak.
knew Col. Reeves in civil life and
in the civil service only. We were
citizens of one county and associate
representatives for that county in the
sessions of the sixteenth legislature of
the state. | was fortunately seated
near him In the deliberations OF that
body and counselled with him often.
and l know that in his course and
conduct rs a representative all his
aims and purposes were, so far as man
can judge, eminently pure and
patriotic. 1t is unnecessary that !
should speak of his later service as a
member and the speaker of the seven
teenth house of representatives; that
may be better done by thoseh pres
ent who were members with him then
and who know and will bear willing
testimony to the ability and impair
tiality with which he discharged the
duties of presiding officer of that body,
which honored itself in choosing him
to be Its speaker.
The journals of the many preceding
sessions at which he was member
show his pervading influence in the
legislation OF the state. and the ef-
fective part hetook therein essentially
contributing TO the present high de-
gree of prosperity which we now en-
JOY. In all he did or said he seemed
prompted by the purest motives and
an earnest desire 10 promote the pub
lie good. He loved the state; was
true to her every interest; served her
most faithfully and efficiently. and by
his long and honorable service Won
for himself, as stated in the pending
resolutions, an enyiable place in the
hearts of the people and name wor-
thy of their grateful remembrance.
But, Mr.. Speaker, what in the estima-
tion of many of the worlds best men
is best of all | have yet to say, and
that is that Col. Reeves was q pro-
| feSsed Christian and a consistent
member Of the church. and seemed in
deed to exercise himself to have al
| ways conscience void of offense to-
wards God and towards men, and
when. at the last, mems motives are
revealed and they each receive the
sentence due, l believe that on the
rolls Of just men saved will appear
the honest name of George Robertson
| Reeves-
Mr.. Cochran also seconded the re5o-
luton in beautiful, well delivered
address.
Mr.. Chenoweth said:
Mr.. Speaker: 1t is well that the
representative in the eighteenth legis-
lature lay upon the new made grave
of the late lamented Reeves u civic
crown. | come with a simple gar
landl 1 cannot expect to add anything
of interest to what has already been
so eloquently said upon this occasion;
but the circumstances Of my long per-
sonal acquaintance with Col. Reeves,
during times of war and peace, upon
the tented field and march, amidst the
shock of battle and In the councils of
the state, make it peculiarly apprO-
pirate that l should beg the indul-
gence at this time, not for the purpose
of expressing any private grief-fOr
at the tomb of an honored friend the
anguish of genuine friendship finds no
voice-but that may contribute i'll
crystalizing in the history of the
state he served so long and well evil
dences of his merits as q soldier
statesman and patriot.
l knew Col. Reeves during the dark.
est hours of our civil strife. l knew
him when the land was filled with
battle-cries and blood-When the very
stars seemed to shut their eyes and
the sun hung blind and blackening in
the mOonleSS airi when the chalice ol
Mars swung over this fair LAND, jsmok.
ing with the bravest blood of the
south, when thousands of our noblest
and best marched out from the wav-
ing fields of Ceres into the harvest OF
death.
He was every inch soldier and q
gentleman. The war over, when
had LETT my own native blue grass
hills TO follow the star of Texas en-
pire, the first face met on this gener-
ous soil to recognize was that OF
George X. Reeves. He had in truth
turned his good sword into prun
ing hook" and whilst tilling the vir
sfgin soil sang in contentment the song
the shepherds eighteen hundred Year,
ago echoed into the years Of an infant
God: Peace on earth, good Will to
ward men,"
Again | knew him in the council.
J Of the state, serving with him in th'
: seventeenth legislature, of which h,
g was the honored speaker.
/ Until 1 knew George Reeves as repre-
4 sentative and speaker in the Texa:
8 legislature had formed no proper es
innate of the high qualities of hi
t mental structure. He brought to the
3 discharge of his duties clear head, {
!. | sound heart, an impartial judgmen
!. and most resolute will. He Was Us
: transformations as he was wise, homes
e and truthful. He was made of tn
/ stuff of the staunch speakers wht
: upheld the privileges of the British
: parliament and made the bill of right
9 of free people paramount to tn
q thunders OF the throne. He was Il
). | verify a man of exalted courage. HI
Y followed his honest convictions Il
!. their legitimate results. His opinion
/ were never controlled by purely selts
considerations; they were never meas
e ured by the stock market or col
r ored by the persistency OF lobby
: Ever guided by honest purposes an
:. good principles, when the end Wa
/ reached, whatever the result, he fel
5 that he had not swerved from tn
i cause of his country, his God an
@ truth,
e will give no further analysis o
e his noble character. 1t stands out i
t the midst of his compeers Dori
:, column symmetrical in its solidity
G beautiful in the absence of all mere
t tricious ornament, immaculate in tn
O material of which it is reared. Hi
O aims were unselfish, his hands wer
l clean, his life was pure and full OF al
r fection. In contemplating such
r character do we not prepare ourselve
O to think better of our kind and tx
V higher standard for ourselves? l
t giving credit for the goodness and III
/. seltishneSS we ind in the world are W
d not the better prepared to sit down o
Y our own hearth stones and watch tn
e ashes of our liveSlgrow grey and cold
t 1t would be almost cruelIto speak {
= the sufferings of this noble man dul
d ing the sad hours which sealed b
e fate. Racked with more than mort;
, anguish in these last terrible hour
n his manly form swollen and distorte
l. beyond the proud semblance in whic
d kind nature had moulded it, his spir
Q was yet as calm and gentle as still
e sweet morning, us it rises over til
e azure prairie where neStles the ono
l. happy home in which he died. n
o man was ever more loved by hi
q neighbors and constituents, an
: tn dropping plumes above h
l. funeral car were followe
e by grief-stricken multitude who's
a | manifest SORROW pmnhasizad the so