Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-01-12

81 The death or Onlteu otdJeS oeudeOI
FJogN E. KENNA Is not alone West Vir-
ginia's loss. 1t is equally the nations
and the Democratic party's loss.
Cut down at the very pinnacle Of the
sprime of his splendid and vigorous
manhood, his death is peculiarly sad and
distressing, and the loss Of his potent
voice in the councils Of the nation the
more deeply and grlevously felt. For
no public man of his time held out more
splendid promise Of great and brilliant
achievements than the young West Vir-
glnia Senator.
s or homely, wholesome training IN
childhood and youth, his early strug
giles, begun on the Western prairies
and continued in his native county of
eKanawha, w. Va, were the firm foun-
iation for the subsequent rapid
rise due to his inherited in
dustry, energy, talent and intel
}lectual ability. He was one of the
few who are apparently born to achieve
GREATNESS, whom no kind Of circum,
stances can keep down, and who rise
the more rapidly and develop the
egreater power and strength because OF
obstacles ia their way.
4 His genius as q leader OF men asserted
itself very earlysin his comparatively
brief and brilliant career. When,
tall, massive, broad-browed, genial and
Commanding, be first took his seat in
the National House Of Representatives
as Congressman from the Third West
Virginia D strict, in 1877, he was point
Fed out as young Congressman KENNA,
of West Virginia, the youngest member
tof the House" As rapid as his pro-
gress had been at the bar in his nativeI
Estate his rise to eminence In the broader
sield Of craftsmanship upon which he
had entered at the national capital was
sstiH more marked. His abilities as al
Legislator, debater, organizer and leader
Twere recognized at once and he SOON
eft most Of his seniors behind him. In
tlss3 his State rewarded his distinguish
. ed services during three successive termsI
: in the lower branch or Congress byl
electing him to the United Senate whereI
his experince, ability and magnetic
personality at once advanced him to theI
front. Though the Yougest member hei
stood second TO none as a leader on theI
Democratic side in the highest legis-I
alive body in the land and dUringI
President CLEvELAND's term he was,
recognized as the chief representative
of the administration on the floor of thel
Senate, his speech in defense Of Mr.
5CLEyELAND's famous tariff message BEL
ing one Of the most celebrated docu-I
iments ever eminating from that body.
Before the National Democratic Con-
vention OF 1855 Senator KENNA was
prominently mentioned for the Vice
Presidential nomination, for which bel
would have been a leading candidatei
had he come from a more prominent
State. Such was the confidence of his
party in his sagacity and ability as al
political leader that he was elected
Chairman Of the National Democratic
Congressional Executive Committee inI
lsS6.
As statesman Mr.. KENNA was be
3hind none in the enlightenment, liber-
5ality, progressiveness and breadth of
Ibis views. His clear and keen judg-l
5ment his enormous capacity for hard
iwork, which he never shirked-a fact
(which was largely responsible for mis-
physical tailure-made him invaluable
Jas q councillor and legislator.
4 As a debater he had no superior. He
scombined to a remarkable degree al
wonderful gift of oratory and wit with
iconsummate tact, fine Discrimination
land deep perception. His eloQuencel
3was Of the brilliant, poetic, Irish order,
polished as the lake, yet rugged, grand
sand impressive as the mountain tor
rent.
s As a man he was thoroughly Demo
cratic in his manners, with hearty.
lhaud-grasp and generous welcome forI
lal. A genial, frank companion, brave
and true-hearted, he leaves counteSsI
3multituds Of friends almost in every,
iwalk Of life, who will deeply and sadly,
3mOUrn his loss.
As a husband and father he was true.
Sand tender, loving and kind, and great
land sore, indeed, is the loss that falls,
upon his household, the members Of!
which have the deepest and sincerest'
sympathy Of all who knew its noble and.
smanly head.
( llzEElss Esilisd0slszsl asse