Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-02-06
The Barbour Eulnoies.


Barbour in the U. S. Senate last Fri
day
Mr. Hill Mr.. President, New York
unites with her sister State of Virginia
in paying her tribute of respect to the
distinguished son of the Old Domin-
ion whose death we are to-day lament
ing.
The loss is not to Virginia alonc-it
is to the Empire State, and to the
Union as well.
We have listened with unbounded in
terest to the able and eloquent eulogy
of the deceased by his surviving col
league, who knew him so intimately
and well, and nothing which can utter
upon this occasion can add anything to
what has been so appropriately, beauti-
fully, and teelingly expressed: llr-
ginia is the home of orators, and when
her representatives have spoken Others
naturally feel as though respecttui
silence, or at least the utterance OF a
few brief plain words is the best contrl-
button that can supplement their mag
niGcent efforts which we always so
greatly admire.
Senator Barbour was himselfa man OF
few words, deliberate in action, strong
in execution, plain in speech, sincere III
his friendships and faithful to his cheer
ishcd principles. | need not tell his
survivors around this circle that he
was strong and wise in council, be-
cause none appreciated it more than
we. His record in this body was not
distinguished by brilliant orations and
impassioned debate, but he was safe,
cool, earnest, and thoughtful counselor
in all that pertained to the welfare Of
his country.
My acquaintance with him began
some years since, and it was renewed
when became member of this SEN
ate year ago. | learned to look up
10 him as one of the fathers of this
body, who was ever ready to advise, to
direct, and TO assist lis new and untried
members. A pleasant smile and cor
dial greeting awaited every one who
approached him. am sure that he
had not an enemy here, and he did not
deserve to have any anywhere in the
wide world My association with him
| here, brief though 1t was, soon ripened
into strong and enduring friendship.
1t grew quickly. it strengthened by
daily intercourse, and nothing but
death itself could sever it.
do not forget the fact that i'll the IN
| terparty contest of last year he was my
political friend; firm, unyielding, and
true. 1t was Il critical period when
! friendships were tested and strained.
| Some were broken, some were cement
ed. He was man of courage and re-
sources. a statesman of foresight and
prudence, skillrul politician in the
! best sense of the terIn-honest, high
minded, generous, and undertaking.
He hated hypocrisy, fraud. and sham
of every kind and nature. He respect
ed honest opposition in political af-
fairs, but he detestcd personalities and
defamation.
Let me refer to tis incident in this
connection. In the spring Of last year
two young men, indiscrcet and over
Jealous. anxious for notorety, visited
the capital of Virginia to speak at po-
itcal mass meeting designed to aid the
fortunes ola particular candidate for the
Presidential nomination. While speak
inc for their callsc. rs they had right
TO do, they unwiscly Travelled out OF
their way to attack Mr.. Barbour, the
the senior Senator from that State, i'm
pugning his motives and misrepresent-
ing his position and purposes. He was
naturally indignant upon such an as
sault by strangers in his own State
and among his own friends and he
quickly resented it.
Well do l recollect his flashing eyes,
his tremulous voice, his vigorous ges-
lures and determined look rs he spoke
of the insult which he regarded had
been offered him. and when he an
nounced to me that he should attend in
person the State convention ut Rich
mond which was to be held the follow
ing week. When bidding me good bye
on that occasion, alas forever, he grasp
ed me by the hand and said: II shall
next week appeal to the people of Vir.
ginia from the attacks ofthese men, and |
rest assured neither you nor any of my |
friends will be disappointed in the re-
suit
| left for New York that evening, and |
the next morning Senator Barbour was
dead. His death came as suddenly IS
n terrific peal of thunder in an uncloud-
ed sky, as meteor flashing through the
heavens, like q strong oak of the forest
that had fallen before the storm.
He was at this time the chairman OF
the democratic State committee, the
representative of Virginia upon the
national committee, and its revered
Senator-a man of commanding in
huence not only in that State, but
throughout the South.
1t is needless for me to add that his
loss seemed personal one to myself;
a strong friend and supporter had left
me in an hour of necd-a most critical
hour. His death, deeply mourned
throughout the grand old State of Vir-
ginia, which he loved so well, and re-
GREETED everywhere, may possibly have
changed son eNhat the whole political
history of the country.
To-day all factions, all parties, all
citizens of whatever creed or nationali-
tv pay tribute to his manly virtues,
his sterling attributes, and his exalted
patriotism.
We have not forgotten that peculiar
" solemn and impressive funeral ofhis,
the first of its kind, / believe, ever
held in this Senate Chamber, where
+ho beautiful ritec and ceremonies of