Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-03

tinguished poet. patriotic soldier, toilsome
scholar, gorgeous orator and pattern friend;
not only man Of high intellect. Of tried Loyalty
and unfiawed honor. but he was also something
which, with the grace of effeminacies and the
invading corruptions of the time, is fast pass
ing away with the Representative men" Of the
| land. He was a character, true American
| character. We are bound to him by no poiiti-
cal sympathes. but We would have blurred our
own judgment had we not admired his varied
| talents and uncommon attainments; but
pecially would we have been false to lifelong
faith in the beautiful could we have failed
to appreciate the moral spiendors of that
! character. With all the lavish gifts of nature
revealed in the commanding presence, the af-
fluent mind and the well-trained intellect, Pike
would have enacted a part. equally as useful
as brilliant in the councils Of the nation, had
the combination of circumstances or the dis
elimination of his fellow-citizens there in
trusted him with the tribuneship Of their in.
terests and their rights. Still. we appreheud
that, although familiar with all the secrets Of
the prosperity Of states and with the means Of
Its enlargement, there was within his large soul
an inner and higher life. carefully sheltered
from the public gaze, life Of pure intellect,
with its deep and solitary joys; but especially
was there an invincible scorn Of the petty acts
by which petty men violate nature and steal
into prominence; especially was there an in
herent loathing Of the idea of bringing down
the sovereignty Of the mind on line with
the sovereignties Of the kennel, and
most especially an aversion to improve
the lessons of the Shiny worm, that benefits
by its own worthlessness, and crawls to the
high places; while his own lofty instincts told
him that it is the exclusive privilege Of the
eagle. with an upward and victorious soar, to
conquer the summit Of the rock This much
we have drawn from his own manly expression
Of thought and we know nothing litter than his
own language to speak his own sense of in
dividual pride. sanctioned by personal worth. Il
10 posthumous vindication Of independence
Of character, justified by the consciousness of
heightened principles
What service to his country can one co
IN the Wild warfare OF the present age?
Who nights the gladiator without skill
FIGHTS without arms. Why! he must lie and cheat
BY "a se pretences. double and turn at will;
Profess whatever doctrine suits the time;
Jugsle and trick words in everything;
., Re base counterfeit. and fawn and crouch
Upon the level of the baser Sort"
HIS LAST LONG ILLNESS.
The long and painful illness which closed his
life was borne with patient, accomplishing
forsitude. He recently celebrated his eighty
first birthday, the same as that of the grand
old commoner Of England, Mr.. Gladstone He
has borne his honors so meekly and ''the
golden opinions of all sorts Of people," he has
worn untarnished by pride or ostentation.
Simple as a child in his affections, devoted in
his friendships, he leaves behind him only
affectionate remembrances and fraternai
recollections Of a life filed with acts of kind
ness and devotedness. the instincts Of noble,
generous, loving heart, where no unworthy
thought could hive. JOHN F. CoyLE.