Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-04-01

ensuing generation abhorred. MOI no.
politician or statesman, more than any
other man must he ever bend vault
| ing ambition" to meet the last exaction
of the moral law
| Mr.. Rankin was in public service for
nearly twenty years; and his personal
and political integrity was never ques-
toned While | would not be under
stood as placing him among the great,
among the few who can be called states
men, | would give him high rank among
that more numerous and scarcely less
useful class of public men, who work
untiringly, increasingly, and honestly for
the advancement of party organization
and party principles
Together with these traits of mind
alone sufficient to give him such prom
inence as a politician, were joined those
generous, genial qualities which bound
men to him wherever he was known
The most careful analysis could not de-
termine whether his success in life was
due more to his sagacious mind or to his
open, sympathetic, cheerful, and inspir-
ing nature. He was one who under
stood all men, one whom all men under
stood, at the first glance of the eye, at
the first touch of the hand
He was popular man. a popular man
at a time in the history of the human
race when popularity is certificate of
high character. Coriolanus went ban
ished from the gates of Rome because
for him the price of popularity was to
fawn and hatter; was to teach his mind
a most inherent baseness." But with
the rise of the common people from the
debauching slavery of ignorance and
superstition up-up to sovereignty and
self government, has been lifted that
word, which is ever at their level until
to-day popularity makes fellowship with
dignity and self-respect He who wins
it must be manly, reliable, responsive;
must be able, practical, useful to be in
companlonship with all men, Thus was
Mr.. Rankin popular Thus was he
brother to every man. 50 it was thau
he was known aud loved personally
throughout Wisconsin So, too, during
his short stay here he made friends Of
all who knew him. Had he lived and
continued in public service his acquaint-
ance and personal popularity would
have radiated from this center of politi-
cal life as it did from his home. But
the best years of his vigorous manhood
were spent when he came here He en-
tered this House handicapped by fatal
disease.
Sir, | make brief reference to Mr..
Rankins sickness and death only as it
sustains and illustrates my view of him
as a man. His long and painful fight
with disease tried him under new con
ditions when hope could not cheer nor
ambition sustain. 1t was a supreme
test, and the manner in which he met it
Illuminated his past life and put upon
it the seal of sincerity, courage, gencr-
osity, and strength.
At the very threshold of his new
career death met him. From the first
its shadow went with him in and out of
these Halls; stood over him at his desk.
followed him down the corridors. pur-
sued him to his home. Month after
month, waking or sleeping in social
cheer or in the still hours of the night.
it was his constant companion. Before
all others he was the first to know what
threatened him. His ear first caught
the mandate that chills the heart and
slows the pulse: "Be ye ready the sum
mons cometh quickly"
Not for an instant did he indulge in
any delusion touching the final issue.
Here as before his correct Judgment
directed him Alright His quick per
ceptions saw straight to the open grave
Here as before his heroic courage and
generous nature responded faithfully.
Making no complaint, giving no sign to
friends, he directed all the purposes Of
his being with increased solicitude
toward his familys future. He resolved
that the end should not come until every
protection that love could suggest and
energy secure was thrown around them
Quietly but with dispatch titles were
| re-examined, transfers made. books bal
anced, checks drawn, everything put in
order With what tenderness he lin
gered over each act that gave assurance
Of comfort and competence to wife and
childrenl For he felt that in every ser
vice then rendered there passed some
thing Of his personality to live with
them through life Ali was at last in
readiness, and he turned again to face
death
Yet it did not fall 70 him to 90 quick
ly and easily to his rest. Season fol
lowed season and the extremes of agony
were borne with marvellous patie1ce and
endurance Finally,with waning streLo nth,
the struggle narrowed to the limits q
his room. Still considerate of those
near him, he would scarcely admit even
then he was not well He could not
bear to see loved ones bowed, PROSTATE
before the dark mystery that was surely
entering their home. With family and
friends, he forgot self the torture Of
disease, all else; turned the serious
words Of physicians into Jest; and forced
his natural bouyant spirits and vigorous
humor into active play. None who saw
will ever forget the touching pathos Of
those scenes
This body will long remember the
daily reports of that unequal but pro
longed contest Each night his haggard
face prophesied speedy death; each morn
saw the prophecy unfulflled Sustained
by an indomitable will the vital forces
yielded slowly, but yielded at last 1t
was the Sabbath Outside, its potent
spell had touched the Christianizcd
world and peace and quiet marked the
hour; within the sick-room, the awful
suspense Of that mute unrest which sie
nails the termination of life. Family
and friends were close about him, and
went with him down to where our finite
section of time meets the infinite.
So he died, strong. affectionate gen
erous man, though not without some
faults and Weaknesses; a man Of con
yictions and courage; consistent, able.
honest politician.
School Report.
The following is q report of the
White School District M = of RIoonl-