The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1886-02-04
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, D C., /
FEB, 1, 1886.

The United States Senate devoted
a day, this week, to obituary elo-
quence in memory of the late Vice
Observation-Disclosures. The occasion
drew a large crowd to the Capitol.
For the first time this session since
the opening day, every seat in ev-
cry gallery OF the Chamber was oc-
cupied with the exception Of the
small gallery reserved for the Dip
lomatic Corps, and at every door
and place of approach was gathered
a group of spectators.
On the floor of the Senate every
Senator who was in the city was in
his seat, an attentive and respectful
listener. Settles and chairs were
provided for Members of the House
and other privileged and distin-
guished people who were entitled
to the floor. Over both Houses of
Congress- the National colors foated
at halfmast over the Senate for Mr..
Hendricks, and over the House for
Representative Rankin, of Wiscon-
sin who had died the day before.
Both of the Ind. Senators, Harri-
son and Voorhees, paid lowing trib-
utes to the dead statesman, that of
Senator Voorhees, being especially
striking and from the trite forms
of expression common on such oc-
casions. Other Republican sena-
tors besides Harrison, among them
Evarts, Sherman. and Spooner tes-
titled to the uniform courtesy and
integrity of Mr.. Hendricks, and
above all to his devotion to the
principles of his party.
Mr.. Spooner being the new Sen
ator from Wis, this funeral grafton
was his maiden effort in the Senate.
He said Mr.. Hendricks was heart
and soul a Democrat, who believed
thoroughly in his party and it's
principles. "He was no 'trimmer'in
politics." continued he, land in
deed, I think if he might give direc-
ton to u words to-day he would
bid us say of him that he was a "par-
tisan" Democrat. He rightly
thought that politics should be a
matter of conviction, and that ev-
cry man of firm political faith owed
it to himself and to his country to
be a partisan to the extent of Ia
boring earnestly in all honest ways
to promote the principles in which
he believes.
Senator Voorhees, mentioned
that eloquence in the forum and in
the sacred desk has paid its richest
tributes to the exalted abilities and
stainless character of the deceased.
The tolling bell, the mournful dirge,
the solemn minute gun, the mighty
multitude of mourners, had all at
tended the funeral of Thomas A.
Hendricks, and had borne witness
to the deep love and grief with
which he was lowered to his last
resting place. All the honors due
to the dead had been paid by the
Magistrate of the Govern
nlent, by the authority of States
and by the unrestrained affection
of the people. ain the Senate how
said he, eve may not be sill
ent, even though the cup'of honor
to his memory be. overfowing.
Here, on this brilliantly lighted
he fulfilled his last official
engagement, and closed his com
career" Vest, Ran
som, Hampton and Salisbury were
the other Democratic Senators who
paid tributes to Mr.. Hendricks. On
of next week the House of
will devote itself to
similar eulogieS in his memory.
The House ad journcd immediate
y upon the formal announcement
IF Representative Rankins' death.
This was, of course, the proper |
hing to do in the absence of any
'ule requiring different action. 1t
Gould not have made an invidious
distinction. But the country is in
that Congress should waste
ime under every possible pretext,
nd it is high time for the adoption
# some plan whereby respect may.l