Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1889-02-07
THE LATE COLONEL BURNES.

by Hon. NJ. G. Moran, in Presen ting Res
olutions on the Death of the Lam entet
Representative.
| JEFFERSON CITY, NO., Feb. 1.-The mos
interesting event of the present session
Of the Legislature, aside from the in
auguration ceremonies, was the presenta'
ton to-day of the resolutions on the deatf
of Hon. James N. Burnes and the remarks
thereon by Hon. NJ. G. Moran. While,
perhaps, Senator Moran is not one of the
most popular men in the Senate, yet his
| learning, scholarship and eloquence make
him marked and prominent figure. He
is always listened to with interest and the
Senate Chamber is always filled when it
| is known that he is to speak on any sub
ject.
The report of the committee to prepare
| suitable resolutions expressive of the
| sentiments of the Senate in regard to the
demise of the distinguished Missouri Con-
| gresham had been made the special
order for eleven O'Clock, and long before
that hour the seats in the lobby were
| filled by ladies, the wives of Senators and
| Representatives, and residents of the
| capital, in anticipation of the delivery of
| the eulogy of Mr.. Moran. Among the
distinguished and notable visitors at the
! capital present in the chamber were ex-
Lieutenent Governor R. A. Campbell and
Judge j. T. c. Fagg, of st. Louis, and
| Colonel A. W. Dawes and John L. Bit
| finger, of st. Joseph.
AT eleven O'Clock the House adjourned
| to give members an opportunity to be
| present, and a throng of Representatives
| poured into the Senate chamber, packing
aisles and doorway.
| 1t was an audience worthy of the occa-
sion, and the presence of SO distinguished
and cultured an auditory was a tribute to
| the dead statesman and the living orator.
Governor Francis occupied chair by
| the side of Senator Mansfield, and the
| other State officers were present.
After the reading of the resolutions,
which were couched in beautiful and
touching language, Mr.. Moran spoke as
! follows:
SENATOR MORANS ADDRESS.
Mr.. PRESIDENT-In moving the adoption of
these resolutions we may we'll pause and ask
ourselves what is the life and destiny of man?
can only answer with Omar, the poet astron-
omer of Persia
Into this universe, and why not knowing,
Nor whence, like water willy, nilly flowing;
And out oft. as wind along the waste.
know not whether willy, nlIy flowing"
Hon James n Burnes, member of Congress
from the Fourth Congressional district of this
State, suddenly departed this life at the city OF
Washington the oath day of January, 1899,
and one week ago tomorrow was laid to rest in
the city of ST. Joseph amid the universal sorrow
of the people among whom he had lived so long,
| and by whom he was highly respected and
tenderly beloved.
HIS mournful and lamentable death has filled
the public mind with unexpected sorrow, for,
until the very hour of his death. he stood among
his colleagues the picture of perfect health and
robust manhood-a frame of adamant and soul
of fire.
I'VE have lost him; he is gone
We know him now: all narrow ieaousieS
Are silent: and we see him as he moved:
How modest kindly, all-accomplished, wise,
With what fine repression of himself
And in what limits: and how tenderly.
Not Swaying to this faction to that
Yes he was faithful, valiant knight, right
royal, true and brave in word and deed.
Sir. it is natural to die as to be born. In
the darkness and desolation of an overwhelm-
ing grief unfortunate man arragns Heaven for
being cruel to him. Is it not wiser to be con-
tent. and trust to The wisdom of Him who in
habiteth eternity? 1t is sorrowfu indeed, to
stand by the untimely graves of the good and
wise who die, died friend, with the
promise of long and brilliant career of use
fulness before them. This life's work was only
begun and gave earnest of q mighty harvest:
but it is not for US to complain of the length of
his life, for it is limited by the mysterious de-
crees of Providence.
rs it not Gods deed. whatever thing is cone
In Heaven and earth! Did not He alone
create
To die again? All ends that was begun;
Their times in this eternal book of fate
Are written sure and have their certain date.
Who then can strive with strong necessity,
That holds the world in HIS still changing
state:
Or show the death ordan'd by destiny?
When hour of death is ccme, let none ask
whence nor why
In the solemn presence of death it is the duty
of man to learn so to live that he be ever
ready to receive the summons of mortality, for
it is written with iron pen in the book Of fate
that
ITO boast of heraldry, the pomp of power.
And all that beauty. all that wealth e'er gave,
Await alike TIL inevitable hour
The paths of glory lead but to the grave"
Man would be miserable indeed if the joys of
life were not tempered and chastened by
rows. The memory of those we loved. those
who were our comrades and companions in
life, those who were wed to us by natures
holy ties, is the only memory from which
no lapse OF ties or change of condition
can divorce the human soul. Sorrow and
JOY are Embedded in human nature the most
healing medicines and subtlest poisons are
breathed from the petals of the rose Man is
the epitome, the miniature of the material
world, in which night succeeds to day and dark
ness to sunshine Our to-days full OF joy
and gladness; to-morrows may be hearsed
in gloom and liveried in death: but out Of the
sorrow and gloom let Us reverently hope future
brightness is born.
Man is often called upon to kneel at the |
shrine of his desolatlon but he should not |
repine: only let him remember that this world |
is not his destined home, but an inn at which |
he tarries for the night.
Colonel James N. Burnes was most fortunate |
and happy in all the relations of this life. His |
memory will ever be cherished and revered by |
all who knew him we'll. He was to the very |
hour of his death favored child of fortune. |
Whatever he attempted he accomplished with |
brilliant success. His memory will be
present in the alteration of his kindred, and |
will be deeply treasured by the people of the
State he served SO faithfully and well.
We fondly remembered his great and many
v1rfupS-hiS ardent fripn6ShinS |
dowments his engaging affabillty his daunt-
less enterprise, his superb American manhood
Comrades will sadly miss him in the inner cir
Giles of social life. In his habits he was hospita-
bic. generous simple and transformations. The
humbiest citizen felt no difficulty in approach
ing him for pleasant smile babe him hearty
welcome. He possessed a fine sense of humor
and greatly enjoyed good story. Friends
loved to be him, and would listen for
hours. charmed by his engaging conversation
an simple, unostentatious hospitality.
In politics and business be usually kept his
own counsel. seldom disclosing his intentions
to any one. In political campaigns of unusual
bitterness he bore unmeritrd criticism with I'M
eqlanimity and complete self-re-
preston. Such was the generosity of his nat
ure that he seemed incapable Of turning short
even upon his enemies.
Colonel Burnes was n man of stout build ana
symmetrical FORM From early youth he ha-
b.tu&ted himself to daily exercise. HIS robust
constitution and cheerful disposition never
fat gued grew Respondent, no matter
how arduous or long the labors in
which he was engaged. He possessed I'M
wearie3 patience, and his endurance was al
most without limit. No CONGRESSMAN worked
more dfsinterestedly for the good of his State,
aad country than Colonel Burnes. Whatever
was intrus:ed to him he investigated with char
Ecteristic industry and patience.
Colonel BurneS possessed rare combination
equally home he |