Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-02-08

common sensc. lie was eminently
practical in his aims and methods, but
in pursuit and practice h. never iran
t scendcd the Instructive modcsty Of the
we'll bred gentleman, nor relaxed the
firm purpose OF the determined and well
collected man.
He was broad, liberal and charitable
in bis opinions-a cautious and saga.
cious counselor, foresighted, industri.
Gus in duty, seldom impulsive, but al
ways persistent, capable of sustained
and wei! directed effort, singularly de-
void OF the narrowness of the bigot, the
vehemencc of the zcalot, and the vim.
dictiveness of the mean. His political
opponents he never judged with harsh
ness. lie knew the measure of respect
lne others aud to their opinions lie
knew the allowances which must be
made by all who seek just judgment for
the diversities and the contraricties oi
environments, education, interest, and
sentiment. | have seldom if ever
known nan who cherished so little
the bitterness, rivalry, and jealousy
which are naturally excited by sharp
conflicts. He was stronger in his likes
than in his disiikcs, as are most rich
and generous natures. lie loved to
serve others and to see others prosper.
As public man he served many from
whom no selfish calculation could an
ticipate return offavor. Respectful and
accessible to all alike, he gave friendly
ear and hand TO the humble without
condescension, and he had no DISPOSE
tion to fawn upon the great. He was
honest, Independent, and outspoken in
his opinions, oYiticising freely, but with
out acerbity. He had little disposition
to be dogmatic, and no ore listened
more agrecGbly to suggestion or sought
more studiously TO profit by it. His
career was characterized by Il profound
and unvarying wisdom rather than by
isolated acts OF swift and brilliant in
spiratiol.
No party leader could have been frcer
from Just imputation of attempting
bossism. He had not the spirit that
would brook assumption, intolerance
and dictaticn on the part of others, and
''o ne'er eyincad a disposition TO set up
prctensions 20 undue power il himself,
and my respect and admiration for MIN.
as man and as an official continually
increased as l witnessed the patriotic
considerations that controlled his pub
lie career. ! rejoice that our relations
were firmly established in friendship,
and that am enabled from knowledge
to bear this testimony TO his worth. He
was an honor to the Commonwealth
which sent him here, and I mourn him
as a servant who was loyal TO every in
tcrest confded to his hands, and as a
friend whose ready instincts responded
to whatever was noble, generous and
kind.
Senator Barbour was lifelong dem
ocrat and a iirm believer in those fun
damental crceds of democracy which
are so deeply implanted in the bosom of
our race-the love Of individual right,
local right, home right and public right.
While his mind was schooled in the
law and he had liberal culture and e1-
tensive information, his experience and
wrestles with the hard forces of eco
nomic and political strife had expanded
it beyond the technicaiities of pedantic
learning. He dealt with great issues
with a breadth and scope of judgment
which transcended the lines Of special
pleading.
The rough verify of nature to its
principles and the steadfast trend of
Providence to its achievements, furnish
ed him models, standards higher and
truer than those which may be found in
subtle dialectics; while the ennobling
and softening teachings of the Christian
creed found fruitage in his many acts of
loving kindness and in the cheer and
grace Of his hospitable fireside.
Senator Barbour was not public
spea ler and seldom appeared upon the
hustings. When he did he usually con-
tented himself with the enunciation of
his position on public questions, leav
ing to others the task of advocacy but
he welded pen that was ready and
vigorous in its powers of expression.
and when he spoke in the Senate, as he
did on several occasions, his colleagues
were impressed with the clearness, di-
rectncss, and force with which he stated
and enforced his views. Senator Bar
bour was very diligent in service to his
constituents and in attention to the va
rious measures in which they were in
terested. His patience was untiring,
and his labors were vast in lines of in
vestigation and eXertion which were
not conspicuous to public view nor CAL
culated to elicit public notice.
The usefulness Of Senator Barbour's
life was its great and crowning charac-
teristic. He was useful to the commu-
nifty in which he lived and q moving
spirit in its public works. He was use
ful to his family connections, doing the
worthy part of the true kinsman, to
cherish and advance their welfare. He
was useful to his neighbors and asso-
ciates, and was trusted and consulted
and beloved by them. He was useful
to his State, of whose good name he
was jealous to whose fortunes he was
devoted; whose history and traditions
he fondly loved, and whose people he
honored and faithfully served. He
was useful to his country, and in its
high places he set noteworthy exam
pie of patriotism, decorlm and moder
alton.
Our friends task is done. AT the
ripe age of - his life, well filled in its
sum of joys and sorrows, and well fill
ed, too, in well accomplished works,
has expired like flame which while
chnddinn q hrinht and pracinus linht is