Huntsville gazette., 1885-12-19
B. GRATZ BROWN,


Country--A Conspicuous Figure in Mis-
souri, History, to Whose Best Interests
He Was Firmly Welded.
ST. LOUIS, Mo-, December 15.-At a
meeting Of the bar, to take action on the
death of Ex-Governor B. Gratz Brown,
the following were among the sentiments
expressed by distinguished members
present:
Ex-Governor 7. G. Fletcher said.
Just thirty years ago a few men gathered
in this city, and organized In Missouri
party which should he devoted to the inter
ests Of freedom The leading man Of that
meeting was B. Gratz Brown. He was chair
man of the first committee appointed in il.
And when, aftcrward, they met for the pur
pose OF taking measures to make liberty Ma
tional, Mr.. Brown was chairman of that
convention-the first of the kind ever held
in slave State At the outbreak of the war
He was, on the sth day of May, 1851, commits
stoned Colonel, and led out
regiment and entered the Federal
ranks. Afterward the Legislature ot
this State selected him to represent Mis-
souri, in the United States Senate. There lie
was considered not only man of learning,
but was one of the leaders In that body.
Afte returning from Washington he once
more returned to the vocations of private
citizen, until he was called by the people t.
be Governor OF the State and in performing
dence OF the people of the whole State.
Looking back now on the scenes of activity
before and Immediately succeeding the war.
remembering the men who were particip
in them, it must be said that Missouri has, in
the death of Mr. Brown, suffered loss that
is almost irreparable.
Judge Cullen arose to second Gov
ernor Fletcher's motion, saying that
while he had differed with Mr., Brown
on the question of State rights and other
political questions, he had always ad-
mired the noble manner in which he up
held his principles:
''IIe was always gentleman, both In his
debates on the political platform and in
his acts at the bar. But more especially
hold his memory in high esteem on ac-
count OF the fact that at the stormy pc
ROD succeeding the war, when passion
and prejudice held possession of the pub
lie mind, and when many were smarting
under the realization of defeat, he came
forward with the olive branch in his hand,
proclaiming peace and good will among
men"
Colonel d. p Dyer said:
'That Governor Brown was a lawyer OF
great learning and a ripe scholar, no one
will question. The distinctive features II
in carrying out his convictions. He woul
stand by his convictions were he solitary
and alone. 1t Is an easy matter to dritt
along with the tide of public sentiment, bnt
it is different thing to lead it. After. new
ideas become popular it Is easy to announce
your belief in them. Governor Browns
character Is interviewer with the
history OF Missouri. On all oc-
casions he has been outspoken In his
convictions At times he stood almost alone,
but lived to see the adoption of nearly all this
principles for which he fought My personal
acquaintance with him dates back to that
period in Missouri's history which trici
to be a member of the State Legislature and
my pleasure to cast my ballot for Mr.. Brown
for United States Senator. Then was asso-
ciated with him to a degree in his candidacy
for Governor in 1870. In all the relations OF
life have found him true man"
EX-Lieutenant Thomas c. Reynolds,
the man who wounded Mr.. Brown in a
duel gro wing out of political differences,
said:
l feel that 1 would be doing an injustice 70
my motives II did not take this opportuni-
ty of paying tribute to the memory of the
deceased For theast fifteen years we have
been intimate personal friends, and especial
ly so the last year, during whi n we have
been members of the same court / feel that
l am paying tribute not only to an able law.
yer, but also to distng ished statesman
one who has at various times occupied the
highest position in the gift of the people,
United States Senator. Governor
and candidate of one of the great
parties for Vice President The courage
Of his convictions was backed by
perfect physical and moral courage. Then
he was self sacrificing and always conscteH-
tious. few years ago his fortune WAS
swept away, and the declining years OF lis
debts. lie was laboring for this purpose at
The time that death overlook him. AS ] look
around and compare him with other men ot
can well say that st. Louis, Missouri, ye7,
he Union-hns suffered loss which they
ire seldom called upon to sustain.
One of the most eloquent speeches was
that Of General John w Noble. He said;
Thirty years ago came to st. Louis
poor man, without friends and without
means to secure necessary books. MIR.
Browns Office was then in the block just o.
oosite here, and went and applied to b. II
seen me before, but he let me take the
books even away from his office.
lie frequently came and encouraged me,
md | felt that l at least had one frieni
n st. Louis on whom l could rely.
md he has been my friend ever
since. lie was man VINO had the success ~
md deep. He taught US the lesson of assist.
ng those beneath His was wonderful
career. He attempted and achieved the
nghtiest acts. He was hero, the champion
y liberty. the advocate OF freadom, and wa,
,uch as a descendant from Virginia ances-
ors, Il native of Kentucky and himself the
,f others His love of principle enabled him
o stand alone, ii need be, in asserting what
le believed was right When the waT
anne on he went out as a soldier to pa,
Third Regiment reserved corps. Since the
var was over he has walked in the presenre
If the common people hero, but 1t has
,ecn as the silent, modest, unassumfng citi-
zen that we saw him here yesterday. lie
vas true leader of men on the broad hei
II truth. Iii story will not record OF him that
le LETT his millions, nor that he achieved In
lioh positions great victories and a glorious
lame, but It will say of him that he was the
arlest as he was the latest advocate OF tha
reedorn Of all citizens
Ex-Lieutenant-Go Governor Robert Camp
,ell said:
Although not an active member of the bar,
feel that | ought to add something com
nending the virtues of Governor Brown.
'hirty years ago last month he was sent 70
he LEGISLATURE at Jefferson City. AS clerk OF
hat body had an opportunity to watch NJ
movements as well as those of others. That
vas | think, the M ost distinguished Legis-
ature that has ever sat In our state, ana hif.
!. own although then only about twentt
even or twenty eight years OF age, was tne
quai of them ALL, either in eioqlence or ~
General acquaintance with his duties lle
re1nently had a contest With men VINO
fterward became distinguished The
randest sight ever saw was when IN io"'
y stood up in the House of Representative.
oIitary AMI alone, representing but ira
ion Of the people and proclaimed MS oppo
itIon to sIavery IL was the finest enorf,
hiuk that have ever had the fortune 10
car MANY had held these sentiments, but
onn vet had dared to proclaim them In pup
y And afterwards, when the blood OF fih
-aiIon be4an to boil, he stepped to the fore
ront and took his position among the troop