Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-01-13

an honest man. His name and his fame are
enshrined In the hearts of his countrymen,
and inseparably connected with the greatest
epoch IN our history. and the dearest inter
ests of progress and humanity, and his deSth
may truly be regarded as a National bereave-
ment. He has fought the good fight. and in
the autumn of life, crowned with honors, be-
dewed by nations tears, he has departed to
THAT undiscovered country from whose
bourne no traveller returns
Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch
About him and lies down 10 pleasant dreams"
bequeathing to us and posterity the priceless
legacy and example of an exalted aad spot
less public life and character.
Ii is therefore eminently fitting and proper
that the resolutions offered by the gentleman
from Augusta be unanimously adopted,
Mr.. Spoffnrd of Deer Isle.
Mr.. Speaker: 1t is not for me to garland
tie grave of the dead Senator with wreaths
and eulogy, but | wonld lay upon it my
hearts tribute of sirssle laurel leaf. We
have been admonished on more than one sad
occasion, and within a brief period, that
| before deaths fatal scvthe falls not the com
mon grass alone. with worthless weeds and
baser shrubs. but plants of renown, the tall
and graceful cedar, the mighty oak that sends
his roots abroad, and the sweet lilies of the
| valley that neither toll nor spin. With death
the rags of poverty and the robes of majesty
find no distinction. He enters alike the hum
ble cottage and the national palace; he re-
leases the galley slave from the toilsome oar
and drdgs the reluctant monarch from his
| throne. These reflections find another sad
illustration On this melancholy occasion. l
heard the announcement of the death
of Senator Morrill, with profound sorrow.
made his acquaintance in this city of
| Augusta MANY wears ago. l was early inn
pressed with his genial social qualities, his
pure integrity. and his great ability. This
city of Augusta will remember him as her
most honored and distinguished citizen. His
numerous personal friends will long mourn
| her loss for them. the chasm can neither
be measured nor filed This great State
will recall with pride the honors she has
conferred upon him. and hold in grateful
memory his distinguished public services.
And when our great Republic shall make up
its jewels, resplendent among great names
will shine that Of Lot Myrick Morrill,, an
| iliustriOus example of wisdom, genius,
patriotism, pure integrity and human
| exaltation.
| Mr.. Hamlin OF Bangor said:
| Mr.. Speaker: The State and Nation bow
down in grief over the loss of her son and
statesman. In the market and the forum, in
the halls of legislature and the courts of JUS
tice, citizens of Maine and of the United
| States. for whom he gave the best and ma
turer years of his life, in sober decorum
count with honest PRIDE the long service he
gave whose death has just been announced.
Fears of affection and gratitude mingle with
| those of grief. Affection for the kindly greet
| ing of his warm hand and heart, the digni-
| fed presence of the manly form, and graft
tude for the Providence which heightened his
days into full rounded character and man
hood typical of New England civilization.
He sleeps, secure in the love and reverence
of all good citizens. beside the waters of the
Kennebec. the home of his boyhood, and to
which he fondv turned as his steps grew
feeble and fal,ering.
| 1t has ever been the favorite belief of
American people that no crisis in affairs
can arise in which leader and guide will
| fail to appear at the critical juucture. The
Revolution gave us Washington and Adams,
Hamilton and jefferson. architects of gov
ernnient in an iron age, times which tried
mems souls. The golden age will remain
| forever fragrant with the memory of the pat
riotic e'oquence of Webster and Clay. We
| Of younger generation look back with equal
pride to that class of statesmen heroes, who
| like the dead Senator. in the dark days of
| Rebellion, knew but one flag and one country.
| Endowed with high moral courage, deeply
imbued with an abiding confidence in the
cause and the people, Lot NJ. Morrill, never
| failed TO speak out with clarion voice and lead
| us out of the paths of dependency, almost
| at times approaching degradation, up into the
| clearer and higher latitudes of duty and devo-
| ton to what we now 80 we'll know better ac-
cords with the genius of our institutions as
well Il better and pnrer civilization.
Slavery and Rebellion dead. Foremost
| among the glaiiators who fought in that
1 g .t,.l n
with Nations benediction Of praise and
gratitude gave sturder or truer blows. We
| need not dwell upon that fecord which covers
more than generation and embraces the
| Chief Magistracy of our State, the dignified
and iiustreous career of Senator Of the
| United States, and the more laborious and re-
| sponsible duties Of Secretary of the Treasury.
| They each and all are as familiar TO us as
household words. The place did not so much
honor the man the man honored the place.
| In thus honoring the place he did equal honor
| to his constituents.
| Let me sum up in a word some Of the lead
| ing elements of his character, and refer to
those qualities which must ever endear to our
hearts the fiithful and honest public servant
| think he entered public life well equipped for
its duties and with high determination to
| give his best services to whatever station he
| might be called to fill. As n debater he had
| a fine power of statement. When he had once
chosen his position. on any great question.
and this he did with much care and reflection,
| he was able to enforce his views with great
force and ability. He drew his weapons of
logic from an armory replete with reason,
humor, history, law and sarcasm. Like the
Greek athlete he was well poised and ready
at every point both of attack and defence.
| lie contended ALWAYS with tha. courage Of
conviction in the right and Justice of his
fcause which commands success. No cause
was too slight and no antagonist too formida-
bic to permit him to decline the gage of battle
when he principle was involved.
| Behind this all was the man, clean, pure,
upright, faithful, industrious, talented am
bilious, willing, Just and honest. Finally the
people believed him honest
"His shield emblem bears, his generous soul
| Wishes to be, not to appear, the best;
| While the deep furrows OF his noble mind
| Harvests Of wise and prudent counsel bear"
Mr.. Robinson of Readfed said.
Mr. .Spe0ker-I do not rise, sir, to euloglze
Mr.. Morrill,. His life is his highest eulogy
But it would not be consonant with nv feel.
ings, nor consistent with my views of duty
to my constituents, were to allow this occas-
ion TO pass without a humble tribute to the
worth and character of the Hon. Lot NJ. Nor
riii | go down to the banks of our beautiful