Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-02-09
The Barbour Eulogics.


The following is the full text of the
eulogy upon the late Senator John S
Barbour delivered in the U. S. Senate
last Friday by Senator Manderson, o1
Nebraska:
Mr.. President, the interesting detail
OF the symmetrical life and well-round,
ed career of John S. Barbour have been
given to the Senate by the distinguished
gentleman who was his associate and
colleague in the performance of public
duty in this chamber. The recital is
like unto stately march to sweetest
music.
From the forming of the column in
the Old Dominion, nearly three.qu
ters of q century ago, down through the
long line to the time when the parade
was dismissed. under the shadow of the
dome of the nations Capitol, the move
ment was regular and majestic.
There is in its contemplation pro-
found satisfaction to all who witnessed
it and to those entirely familiar with its
solace and consolation that overcome
grief and bereavement.
TO the boy child, born in Virginia in
1920, there was the boon of distinguish
ed ancestry and the comforting sense
of honorable family antecedents to eX-
cite honest pride and compel that sense
of nobicSse obiigc that is the main
spur TO heroic endeayor and noble
deeds.
His great grandfather, & member of
the house of burgcsses i'll the old CO.
lonal days, his grandfather equally
prominent in the great State whose
boudaries in the early days Of the re-
public were from tidewater to the set
ting sun, his father representative
from his district in the Congress, with q
great uncle Speaker Of the national
House Of Representatives and Justice
of the Supreme Court of the United
States, and another great uncle gov
crnor of his State, Secretary Of War,
Minister to England and United States
Senator, there came to young Barbour,
with the natural pride in his ancestry,
deep obligation to keep the treasured
name unsullied. He might indeed say,
honor is the very
Jewel Of our hors,, bequcathed down from my
ancestors.
To this advantageous birthright was
added course in that great university
that is the pride and boast of Virginia.
If Thomas Jefferson had no other claim
to the gratitude and reverence Of his
countrymen, the fact that his enlight-
ed views, progressive spirit, and far
seeing vision prompted him to take
steps for the founding and rearing Of
that great school, which has trained
for the public service so many master
minds, would be sufficient.
Acquiring the profession Of the law
and embarking in its practice in his ma
tive county Of Culpeper, there came
that success that showed his fitness for
it; for in law as in war, success is the
criterion of generalship." He had that
judicial turn Of mind that would proba-
bly, have brought his steps to the bench,
had they not been led by ambition for
the speedier fame that came from po-
litical life and the more assured fortune
flowing from connection with one of
the great enterprises that were extend
ing roads of iron throughout all our
borders.
The fortune came from thirty years
of labor in that most eXacting of pur-
suits, the management and control of q
great railroad.
Just rs surely rs the ponderous en-
CINE, pulsating with apparent life and
the impersonation of energy, wears it
self out at last and is thrown to the
waste heap, so the vigorous, energetic
man, who seems untiring in his efforts
to advance the corporate interests in
trusted to him, finds the time come
when physical failuro and mental
wrecks result.
Fortunately for our friend there came
surcease of the destroying labor Incl
dent to corporate control in the de-
mand of the political life that brought
him fame and wcll-earned renown.
In politics he reached the culmina-
ton by orderly approaches. His was
no sudden leap full-armed into the ma
tlonal arena. -Four sessions of service
in the legislature of his State, and
three consecutive terms in the House
of Representatives. brought him to this
chamber by well-worn paths and per-
mitted no obstacle in the way of per
formance fhis duty in committee and
or the floor. He was not q SNOWY
member of the Senate.
Modest and retiring by nature. he
cared nothing for forensic display OF
oratorical pyrotechnics. None the less
he did his full duty as legislator, and
the public business entrusted to him re.
ceived ample consideration and pains.
taking attention.
His march of life ended in May last
Death came in form the most accepta.
BILE. No lingering illness with its hours
of suffering and painful anticipation o.
the end. He was with us performing
his task during the day; the evening
was spent in his library in converse
with family and friends. The morn.
ing's sun rose and with it his spirit left
the clay. How vain the speculation as
to whittier it went.
1t was brave spirit and a noble
actuating John S. Barbour to deeds
that force our respect and to achieve.
ments that command our admiration
We believe it to be an indestructible
essence, and whether it shall assume
another incarnation, we know not but
are content that in this BODY. here
with us, and in this form so familiar tc