National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-01-18

II IL had been the purpose Of the Divine
Ruler to give to the people Of this capital
and the nation at large the most impressive
lesson on the frailty of life's tenure and the
absolute sovereignty of DEATH that intent
could have found no more fitting form Of
expression than In the sudden removal Of
Miss Katharine Bayard, the oldest daughter
Of the Secretary Of State, from the cheerful,
graceful activities Of a brilliant career TO the
icy embrace Of the grim messenger.
If death, searching for shining mark,
had been commissioned to lay his palsylng
hand on the form whose removal would
touch the widest circle of hearts with the
profoundest sorrow, and II he had strlven
TO execute the commission In the manner
best calculated to add awful pathos to in
eyitablc grief, he would have laid his hand
where he did, when he did, and as he did
for there Is nothing lacking, nothing could
add TO the fearful shock, the awful
solemnity, the unutterablc pain of this ter
riblc ailliction, which, like bolt from n
cloudless sky at MONDAY, has fallen on the
heart, home, family, and life Of MIR. Bayard.
Amid the strife and turmoil Of parties,
IN the agitation consequent upon the dis
cussion of political and personal questions,
the American people are accustomed to harsh
words and ftful flashes Of unamiable feel
ing. Mr.. BayaTd has not escaped the gem
erol lot Of those who occupy conspicuous
positions. But in this hour of grief,
the better side of the American char
acter alone is apparent, and the hearts Of
all the people turn toward the bereaved
father as to a neighbor and friend; fraternal
sympathy banishes every sentiment of a less
kindly nature.
But few months ago the shadow Of q
great aiiliction rested for many weeks over
the home Of the Bayards, and there were
days when the fond, true wife and tender,
loving mother seemed about to pass over
"the dark and silent ivern Then the Sec.
retary Of State came to his official duties
under the pressure of imperative necessity,
going back every evening to his residence in
Wilmington TO watch by the bedside OF Mrs.
Bayard. Hoping on almost against hope
the husband and children were permitted
at last to welcome the wife and mother back
from the borders of the spirit land.
The delicacy of the mothers health gave
the eldest daughter peculiar prominence in
social duties, and she was most happily fitted
by natural endowments, as well by educa.
ton, to take the place of "a bright particu.
lar star" in the upper strata Of Washington
society. Apparently unconscious Of hel
rare gifts, and invariably gentle in her man.
ner, she was the most unpretentlous Of
young ladies. She held her high place a:
by natural right, exciting no envy and pro
voking no bitterness. Admired by a cir
Gle Of acquantnces embracing persons IL
all parts of the United States and every
country in Europe, beloved by her friends
with ardent, sincere affection, the light oi
home, the idol Of her family, she seemed SC
full of life and hope, so necessary part oi
the domestic and social world, that ont
can with difficulty realize that her earthly
days have ended.
The NATIONAL REPUBLICAN would not
in any unseemly manner, obtrude upor
Mr.. Bayard and his family in such an houi
as this-their grief is sacred But the hearts
Of their sorrowing fellow-citizens are filled
with a deep and tender sympathy. w,
voice the universal feeling in profrerinl
that sympathy and in paying this humbl,
| tribute TO the beloved dead.