The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-01-26
THE FUNERAL OF HON. r. B. HAYES

The FUNERAL Of HUN H. d. ia L III
The funeral of the late Hon. Ruth
erford b. Hayes will be attended to-
day by a large concourse of dis
tinguisbed men at the place of his late
residence, Fremont, o. He was, per-
haps, the only man Who was ever
handicapped by high official position
and IT, at from no fault of his own.
The fact that lie occupied the position
of president OF the United States not
only did not do him any good but did
actually detract, in one way, from
his actual merits and reputation. 1t
was not his fault that he was fraud
ulent president of the United States,
for he distinctly disclaimed any de-
sire to take the place if it was proven
that Mr.. Tilden was elected. Neither
was it his fault that d partisan COM
mission decided in his favor, and it is
not in the power of man to refuse such
great honor when the natural egotism
of any man would lead him to con-
clude that decision in his favor was
a righteous Judgment of a competent
authority.
Although Mr.. Hayes was good
president, or rather a de facto
president who discharged honestly
and faithfully the duties of an usurped
office, although he manifested liber'
atty and magnanimity in treating
the South more fairly THAI any of his
Republican predecessors, still the
fact that he was a fraudulent presi-
dent reflected its baleful shadow up.
on the man himself, and even from
his own northern partisans he SUI
fered slight to which no president
has ever been subjected. We do not
mean he was treated with APP
parent indignity, but he never was
cordially received and honored in
the distinguished manner extended to
an ex-president and with which all
others have been regarded and
treated.
He was highly educated gentle.
man, and his life, social and religious.
was pure and without reproach. 1t is
true he was modest and retiring, and
neither aggressive nor ostentatious
but withal IL must be admitted that
his official position cast cloud ovel
him, and caused him TO be regarded
in light that neither his private life
nor his official acts warranted. The
fact is, he was put in position by
fraud, and was expected to toward
the fraudulent designs of his partisans
Failing in this and refusing to be the
tool of nefarious designs, he escaped
the reputation of rascal, for he was
gentleman and there was no rascal
ity in his nature, but his own parti
sans turned upon him to strip him o
the influence and position the place
he had occupied entitled him to, ant
he was relegated to private life unsur
rounded by any Of the sweets o
gratified ambition. His nature wa
too noble for revenge and he was to-
pure in thought and purpose to fee
the Sights that he knew were attribu
table to the fsilure of politicians t.
use him.
After all, whether he was presiden
or not, he was q noble specimen o
the gentle, truthful and philanthropy
American, and, better than king o.
president, he died as he had lived, il
full faith of q glorious immortalit!
beyond the grave, and the South mos
willingly lays the wreath of i'm
nortels on his grave, honoring tn
man who dared to do right in the fac
of the most powerful influences tina
could tempt and mislead by tn
Establishments of partisan warfaI
and political revenge.
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