Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-02-28

/ ever the B6Uldl Gun poHiOIt ~AN ~~-~
ing friend, with warm aud generous
nature, and with reputation resting
upon character that was absolutely
pure and without stain.
The last two years of the life OF Mr..
Eenna were years of physical weakness,
suffering and anxiety. But even his
disabilities and advice of friends could
not restrain him from participating In
the debate resulting from the attempt,
In 1890, TO pass what is known as the
Federal election sill. Well do / remem-
Der his appearance, even at that early
! period of his illness, when he arose to
address the Senate. His face was pale,
and showed the evidence Of intense
physical exhaustion, and his quiyering
lin bs told too plainly the story OF the
ravages which disease had made upon
his strength, but his voice was firm and
clear, as he entered his earnest, vlGor-
Gus, and indignant protest against the
passage OF that measure.
Mr.. President, the life Of John r..
Kenna, from the time when his warm,
| boySh heart formed its first friend
ships, until the day when in the very
prime and pride OF perfect manhood he
was called from our midst, speaks with
it's own touching eloquence OF those
noble and loyable qualities which en-
deared him to his friends, and made
him the Idol of his people. His heart
beat in sympathy with all his kind,
knowing no distinctions of class, creed,
or condition in its warm affection.
I Above liie'S petty selfshness, II throb
! bed responsive TO the hopes and fears
and smiles and tears OF all he knew
Obedent TO the highest aud the hottest
impulses Of human nature, he felt the
! kinship of his whole race, and lived a
! sharer in It's sorrows as we'll as In It's
joys.
In all the changing scenes OF his
| eventful life, In storm and sunshine, his
| manly spirit faced with fearless front
whatever CHANGED. He knew no fear in
| life, and when he faced the last and
grandest test to which the soul OF man
| is ever put, and heard Deaths football
nearing fast in plainly marked APP
proach, he met him with the unblanch-
! ed cheek OF perfect fearlessness. The
summons came at last to tread the I'M
known pathways OF the further
| shores" obedient to its mandates, no
knightlier, Drawer spirit ever passed in
to the realms Of death.
Mr. Frye after reviewing the career
of Mr.. Kenna and praising his qualities
said that within his memory death had
never gathered such a rich harvest OF
great men in the same length Of time as
! in the last month of the old year and
| the first month Of the new.
Five Major Generals. all OF whom had
won their rank on the field of battle
| fighting for their country, a former
/ President of theUnited States, justice
of the United States Supreme Court, the
"Plumed Knight" that most brilliant
man of his generations; minister of
| Christ known and loved the world over
so broad minded and liberal that
the lips of q Jewish Rabbi
we're unsealed in a great public meet
| ing in the city of New York in his
praise; three United States Senator's
one the country gentleman OF the old
school, modest, dignifled, faithful (Mr.
Barbour, of Virginia), another the
brilliant soldier, accomplished scholar
and experienced statesman, (Mr Glib
son, of La, and the other ''our friend
| Mr.. Kenna."
Mr.. President, he said in conclusion,
where are these great men? Lost? For
ever lost? A thousand times no. Where
are they? Destroyed? That black
monster death could not destroy these
great souls more than he could stretch
| his icy hand upward and pluck the stars
| from the skies. They have simply
crossed the covered bridge and on the
other shore they still find employment
for their great powers from God. ZAP
plauSe in the galleries.)
When Senator Blackburn arose and
began to speak it was evident that only
by an effort could be control the emo
ton he felt at being called on to pay
this last public tribute to the memory
of one of his dearest friends.
Senator Blackburn said most men
| live too long, but this man had died
much too soon. Senator Kenna's father
| had died when he was small boy, and
| be never had q chance to take advan-
| tage OF the meagre educational facili-
| ties which the wilds OF the State of
| Missouri offered. 1t was needless TO
speak OF the eminence Of our dead
| friend who for years has been tower
of strength in this body.
| The Senator read letter OF consoa-
| ton from friend of Senator kenna and
| his, in the State of Missouri, which
Senator Blackburn said described the
character of his most beloved friend,
lie said that when a man like this leaves
our sphere, it is like a guiding star dis
| appearidg from the skies.
Senator German said although Sena-
| tor Kenna was one OF the youngest
members on the floor, he stood first in
rank and had the confidence of his asso-
ciateS. Though his language was not
| as eloquent as some of our greatest ora
! tors, he demanded the attention of all
| those who were within range Of his
voice. His character was as beautiful
as the morn. Although a lover of
horses, fishing and all kind of sports,
| he loved his country and friends best
of all.
Senator Germans speech was elo-
quent and pathetic. The brief re-
! marks by Senators Gray, Vest, Daniel
and Hawley were equally full of warm
/ admiration for the ability and character
OF their late colleague, and they were
| delivered in a manner that showed
clearly how deep was their personal
| sen Sc Of loss.
The ccacluding speech by Senator
1 Camden was notable for its kind and
generous appreciation Of the fine quail
ties of head and heart Of his predeces.
! sor.
Senator Camden said:
Mr.. PreSident-It was my privilege
to know Senator Kenua intimately from
/ his early manhood to the time OF his
6aatb o,d ctopdipT hora tOdav &c bis