The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1888-02-04
PUBLIC MEETING.
From the Warrrn,huTg journal Democrat,

From the Warrrh,hurg journal Democrat.
An impromptu meeting of the citi
hehs OF NarrcnshnrS, was held ut the
courthouse, last Saturday afternoon,
Tor the purpose OF passing appropriate
resolutions on the death of the late
= vernon. lion. ). L. Sparks was called
TO The chair, and X. N. Spencer made
secretary.
On motion, Mcssrs. w. X. Morrow,
John NJ. Rice. Lewis Burris, w. A.
Porter and ) Ii. McManigal were ap-
pointed committee on resolutions.
Turner &. Iornbuckle was called
upon and made u few appropriate re-
marks.
Hon. s. p. Sparks, being loudly call
ed for, took the floor aud said:
Fellow Citizens of johnson County:
On an accession like this gathered, as
we are, from the various walks of our
busy lives; regardless of political belief
III The past or present; drawn together
by common griei-thc unexpected
loss, by death, oi our beloved Chief
Executive, find no words adequate to
express the state OF our feelings. Death,
always appalling, even TO the most
wayward, in coming so unexpectedly,
and selecting so bright aud shining a
mark tor its victim, impresses us with
more than the usual solemnity and Iii.
mlnishes the value oi human life in
our estimation; and but for the hope
OF better one, no ray of light would
iiiumne the impenctrable gloom of the
shadows, which have so recently
gathered over the people OF this great
! commonwealth.
Seldom has our state been called to
mourn the loss OF her chief executive
by death, and never has such loss been
more deeply felt, than in the loss of
one, chosen by The ballots of 4 tree
people, 10 guide the ship of state; to
the manner born; stricken down in all
the PRIDE, beauty and strength of man-
hood; against whom as soldier or
civilian not one word, even from his
enemies, political or personal, has been
said derogntory to his Lofty character
Elevated TO his late high office, the
highest III the gift If the people of his
native state, because OF his known
honesty. integrity and fearless champ
lonship OF right, each day as the peo-
pie came to know his heart, they learn.
cd to love and admire him and rejoiced
that they had trusted him. And in the
fierce light OF adverse criticism his
virtues have shone all the more re-
splendent.
To know him was TO admire and
love him. Whatever cause his judg-
ment endorsed, his fearless heart es.
poused with all the urdor of his SAN
gnine temperament. In war he was
the bravest of the brave; ia peace, the |
gentlest of the gentle aud he proved !
himself as great a civilian as he had |
been soldier. In the war between |
the states, he fought and lost, and he |
saw the banner which had called forth |
all the latent energies of his iron ma
ture to bear a|oit, traiied in the dust.
But lie nobly accepted the inevitable
without repining. Yet for the part he |
bore in that struggle, ! honor and re-
spect the manly traits and high courage,
born of desperation, il called forth.
However much we may have differed |
with, aud conended against him in
that memorable struggle, we approach
that part of the history of his life with
uncovered heads and uusandaled feet.
His surviving comrades are free TO re-
late, with that warmth which ever
anlmnics the soul Of The true soldier
with such destiny, and which called
forth the mranest and highest qualities
OF our nature, of his noble bearing,
soldierly courage whether in The
DlVoua;, on the weary march, or lead
my the charge through leaden hail to
victory or defeat, and often to death.
a soldiers life, with its trials and op-
portunlties for the display of natural
instincts, is the EXperimentum Crucis.
mere are those here who shared the |
hardshIps and trials of war with him,
ana they will not withhold from him
that just NEED of praise which is his,
won by his sword
The same fearless, honest, uncom-
Integrity, prudence and de-
Votlon to principle, which characterized
him as soldier, guided him az execu-
i've aud the record of his adminstra-
tlon Will be the brightest page in the
history OF our state Elected as IA dem
cratic partisan, and after Il spirited
contest, yet III the administration of
his Office he knew no party lines; he
dealt out Justice with an even hand to
all alike, and so bore himself in office
that his administration has not only
been FREQ from criticism hut wrung
from those who opposed him umstinted ,
praise and cOmmcmdatiOn. From NV /
of the character and ability /
Of him upon whom the functions OF the I
chlet executive will deVolvc, under our ,
this same management of |
public affairs will continue; and moA :
bespeak for his cxcellency, Gov. More =
house, the same confidence and support I
which was accorded by tho people of .
Jur state 10 his illusiriOus and homored | I
predecessor. The resolutions which ,
have been reported by your committee, +
endorse with all my heart-reporled o
Dy your fellow citizens, representing the
wu great political parties of the day: I
md | ieeI tIat they will be sent forth f.,
without dissenting voice, as feeble I
expression of our grief at our great n
Oss. On such occasions we are ali re- Il
democratic Prejudice -
tnd passion have no dwelling place in i
'Gr hearts. The flames Of lofty patriot n
SIN are rekindlcd ia The ves.al cham
Icrs OF the commonwealth heart We II
'lc with each other in the respect 4
= hich is becoming the states honored 4
lead. john ). Marmaduke has sheathed n
tiE vainrOus sword; laid aside the I,
ccptcr a. our Chief MagisIrate, and hi
ms been laid tn rest on his native soil. u
~ the side 81 his sirrS, umrng his I,
,'"drrd, friends aud nrighhurs: in the h
'iate Ui his chlldhood's associations, h