Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-12-02

offe VINO ntiu lnt second once III tne gov
eminent at his death. The death of the
great and good StartleS a nation of people.
This year the roll of TIE distinguished dead
has been hong. In the last decade the dead
list among the great warriors and statesmen
in our American republic has been very
long: and Of that list Thomas A Hendricks
was not the least in greatness. Though a
citizen by birth of Ohio. and by adoption
and long life a citizen of the state of Indi-
ana, he could be claimed at his death
by the nation. He WAS SiNty-siX Years old
at his death not very
old man. His life was full of experience
and activity. He lived in an important
epoch in his country He s,'od prominent
among the many promint,rt men of his
time He was an eminent lawyer. and he
achieved deserved fame in his profession
He was. above all. a good citizen in private
life; and to attain that distinction is to at
tain Ia all that is possible in our country.
He was member of the legislature of the
state of Indiana; he was governor of the
state: he was a representative and a senator
in the congress of the United States, and he
died vice president of the United States
All these positions he filled with due credit
Ia the places and 10 himself
My friends. it requires something
more Ia become distinguished and
illuStrious III our republic than
in an empire or monarchy. Here
fame and name must be won, and
won through merit. In a monarchy or in
an empire, greatness is very often conferred
upon individuals. To attain to greatness
where all the adventitiouS surroundings are
furnished 10 a man does not leave him much
room Ia claim credit. But where man. as
in our country. must shape all the circum-
stances and carve ont his greatness by com
petition with all those who stand exactly
upon an equal footing with himself. il
proves 10 us that there is special merit in
the individual who is successful: and TO be
great in this era is something greater than
10 have attained TO name and fame in the
times gone by. Men must have more
learning; men must have more mental and
moral courage. and more genuine purity and
honesty, to he entitled to name and
fame now than in the generations gone by:
for We are better people now than they
Were in the DAYS gone by.
Under all these circumstances the Hon.
Thomas A. Hendricks became famous and
deseryedly great among his fellow men. 1t
is. then, fitting that the nation should stop
and mourn his death, and while doing so.
remember his virtues. and. in the future.
seek 10 initiate them.
In the presence of death all partisanship
disappears. And whatever there may he
said in the midst of great political campaigns
and excitement in this republic. whether
said Justly or unjustly. in the presence Of
the grave all people, intelligent, wise, viz
tuouS and Christian As they are, know
enough, and are good enough 10 lay all
aside.
We. as a people, mourn over the dead
vice president, and We mourn for the loss
Of great citizen. We extend our
sympathy 10 his wife and to his immediate
friends. Mr.. Hendricks died a singularly
peaceful death. Though suffering in body.
he probably had no warning that the end
was al hand. Yet we are not sure. His
last utteramces aS given IL Us may indicate
that he knew the end was AT hand. He
said 10 the attending servant. Free al
last" Whether hc meant that he was sim-
ply free from ply pain. or he discerned
that death was al band: that the meXorable
summons had come and he was free, we
do not know.
1t is fitting that all the departments the
executive department of the nation. and the
states. should stop their work and wait that
We might bury our dead. Ii is fitting that
the wheels of justice should cease revolving
that justice should stand still until we bury
the distinguished lawyer and citizen.
These occasions. coming 50 frequently,
should be needed as sad and highly
profitable warnings Ia liz all.
The resolutions We're then read by F. NJ
Hagan. Esq, As follows:
The second office in the gift of this great
nation is vacant The gayel has been sud-
denly and forever wrenched from the hands
of Thomas A. Hendricks, vice president of
the United States. by Death. the implacable
and reSiStleSS foe of all mankind. In the
presence OF this national affiiction. and in
view of his life, il is fitting that the people
suspend their ordinary ayocati0nS, and aS
with sorTOwing hearts they SubmiSSively
bow 10 the decree of Almighty God. render
just tribute to the virtues of the departed
statesman. and consider the lessons which his
career affords the living. His birth and youth
were envlroned by poverty and obScurlty.
He was lowered only with a good constitu-
ton and religious training: Yet by his own
unaided eXer,ionS. he achieved brilliant Sic
cess i'm all the walks of his life. Pure in
morals. making conscience the touch stone
of his conduct. firm in his purposes. aud
ever displaying undaunted courage in eX-
ecJtlug them. he was yet gentle i'll all his
acts and courteous alike to friend and foe,
uniting with these qualities the highest honol
in dealing with his fellow men. loving and
lovable disposition. an ever helping hand Il
the needy. and, like Lincoln, With malice
toward none and charity for all he was {
true Christian, whose private life wa
in the highest degree exemplary
These manifold virtues were not les
conSpicuously in his public career, EN-
bracing some of the most eyentful years %
the republic. DiScharging with great abili
~ and unwearied aSSiduity every trust com
mitted to his care. firm and courageous il
treading the path which his Judgment pre-
Scribed. yielding to no temptation. holdinl
/ himself above the plane of suspicion a. e
his integrity, supremacy deyoting himsel
to what he conceived 10 be the highest goo,
of his native land, and. withal. demeanin.
himself as a courtly gentleman, he pasSe'
through the StateSman's fiery ordeal an,
came out with UnSinged garments. Such
character as his may safely be held up 4
/ the youth of our land As a model American
/ citizen: therefore.
! Resolved. That the citizens of Spring
/ field, Ohio. irrespective of party affiliations
deplore the sudden and unexpected death q
I Thomas A. Hendricks, vice president of tn
I United States.
/ Resolved. That III his death the countr
has lost a great statesman. whose privat
life was exemplary and whose public caree
was ever marked by high ability ip the di:
charge of every duty, unspotted integrity
and supreme devotion to what he deeme
the welfare of the people.
Resolved, That we tender our profoun
sympathy 10 his wife in her great sorrow.
After the resolutions had been read. tn
chairman introduced Mr.. George Spenc'
who made q feeling speech, eulogizing Ii