National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-01-27

However men may live In the market place,
In the crowded court, in the Senate chamber,
at the head OF armies, and rs the objects Of
popular applause, a man always dies alone.
Whether u meets one in the palace Of the
king or in the cabin OF the poor, the SUI
preme event, when the mortal puts on i'm
mortality, swallows up all incidents and
circumstances.
Mr.. Ransom believed IL almost impossible
at this time 10 measure the worth 10 our
country Of great character like that of the
late Vice President. We were yet too near
his life TO write his history. lie had lived
forty-three years conspicuously before the
public gaze, and had always proved himself
the earnest, faithful champion Of the peo-
ple's rights. lie had proved himself a lover
Of his whole country and its liberties.
Mr.. Spooner, while not believing that he
could add to the effect Of what had been
said, desired as native Of Indiana TO speak
a word Of tribute to the memory Of the de-
ceased. lie was man OF strong convic-
lions, and had little respect for those who
were not. lie had shown that above all
things he was no "trlmmern in politics.
Mr.. Hendricks, said Mr.. Spooner, twas
heart and soul Democrat. He thoroughly
believed IN his party and In Its principles.
Indeed, l think, If he might give direction
to our words to-day, he would bid us say Of
him that he was partisan Democrat. He
rightly thought that politics should be a
matter OF conviction, and that every man
Of firm political faith owed II to himself and
to the country TO BIO q partisan, in this at
least, that lie should labor earnestly In oil fit
ways best suited to his mental make up and
to his surroundings, to promote the success
Of the principle in which he believes. To
him no political partisanship, honorable In
its methods, was offensive. In party he
saw only the instrumentality through which,
and through which alone, might be wrought
out the triumph of his principles. In active,
faithful, honorable party service he saw
therefore, devotion to principle, not mere
lu8t for office. He believed that the party
clothed by popular will with the respon-
sibility Of administration should every
where intrust the execution OF It's policies
to those who were In political sympathy
with II, and who had at heart its continued
and completed success. He believed that
those Of the ruling party who had done the
most and sacrificed the most in honorable,
active effort should, II 1T for public duty,
be, by that party, everywhere first called to
the public service.
"fIe had tender feeling In his heart for
the man who, for twenty years, In sunshine
and In storm, had led his party again and
again to certain defeat; who had kept alive
its organization In every state and county
and town, and who, by unwavering allegl-
ance and effort, had made possible It's ulti-
any degree Of patience, the suggestion, in
the hour Of his party's triumph, that such
men should be reproachfully termed poll
ticians,' and denied recognition least some
political aesthetic should say, 1T is a re-
ward for party service.' The imputation
that he was spokesman rather angered than
grieved Mr.. Hendricks, for he knew It
came from those who had either been Of
hostile camp, or, II Of his own, had been
wont to linger In the shade and slumber
while he and the boys as he sometimes
loved to call the party workers, had borne
the heat and dust and burden Of the battle.
Spokesman or not, he went down to his
grave loved, trusted, and mourned by his
party; and dare to believe that the element
reproach will not cause his memory to
suffer with the great mass Of his opponents.
"Tbere is melancholy comfort in the
manner Of his death,n said Mr.. Spooner, in
conclusion. "IHe died as one might wish to
die who was as well prepared to die. Gods
finger touched him and he slept"
Mr.. Vest took melancholy pleasure In
speaking Of Mr.. Hendricks's character
here, where he first knew him and learned
to love him as a friend. In Mr. Hendricks
| he had seen the incarnation Of the vital
| spirit Of our government-the sovereignty
| OF the people. He was nearer the hearts Of
the masses than any man Of his time. He
was a partisan in the highest and best sense
Of the term, because he believed that devo-
tion to party was necessary to the best in
terests OF his country. lie had no respect
for the political estheticism which could
not distinguish friend from foe. Asking
and giving no quarter he did not sprinkle
rosewater on the enemies Of his party, or
give sweetmeats to the wolves ready to
spring at his throat. He had died sud
denly, as falls the armed chieftain on some
/ o. inl al and I oil att an
| pang, one throb, than weeks Of slow decay.
| Pure in life, prepared for death, his career
rounded and complete, crowned with the
love and respect Of his countrymen, and
breathing with his latest words the name
Of one dearer to him than all else, our
leader passed into that shadowy realm
where his expectant spirit awaiteth her
| coming.
Mr.. Harrison, in seconding the resolutions
offered by Mr.. Voorhees,, said he did not
think that Mr.. Hendricks's popularity had
eliminated at the time OF HIS death. He
seemed to have been never more loved or
esteemed by his political friends than just
before his death. He was man, the speaker
said, Of great political courage, and, while
not aggressive as a leader, always met as.
sault with force and skill. He had never
made his leadership offensive by too open
an assertion or display OF it. His oratory
was persuasive, his style clear and lucid
and, II he did not win his adversary over
always left him kindly disposed. The
speaker paid a, high compliment to Mr.
Hendrtcks's legal ability. He always ar
gued, he said, as lawyer should. In his
private life he was man above reproach
strong in human sympathy and loving the
charms of home. "He had been blessed In
his married life,n said Mr.. Harrison, in con
clusiop; "the wife whom he wooed and wed
in his young manhood walked with him In
love and affection to the end. THE brida
vow hath been kept till death do us part y
The resolutions In memoriam were agreed
to, and, as further evidence Of respect fol
the memory of its late presiding officer, the
Senate, on motion Of Mr.. Harrison, at 3:1(
p. M, adjourned.