Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-02-10
The Barbour Eulogies.


in the U. S. Senate, Senator Hiscock, f
New York, republican, spoke as fol-
lows:
We have in public life men numerous
enough to be fairly called type, who
possess none of the graces of oratory:
and in the discussion of great questions
seem to be unable to take part; Iheir
expressions of opinion are confined 10
their votes. They seem also to be
wanting entirely in the arts of the poil,,
tician. They are never discovered
making combinations or attempting to
assume leadership. They are quiet
and unobtrusive, and in their private
conversation are reticent in the express
sion of opinions.
Their Judgment, however, is unlver-
sally respected, and we scarcely know
to what element or characteristic III
these gentlemen we attribute their
strength. Yet they have it. They en-,
ioy the confidence of their friends, and
represent communities and States III
executive or legislative branches of the
government, and seemingly take those
positions without an active effort on
their part to secure them. And while,
rs I have said, in legislative bodies
their expressions are confined to their
votes, their political careers are always
satisfactory to their associates and con-
stitueuts: their constituents rarely al
low them to retire to private life ana
their political careers, as a rule, are
long and honorable.
In my opinion, Senator Barbour was
one of the best illustrations | have ever
known of the type of men whom nave
undertaken to describe.
I served with him in the House OF
Representatives, and here in the Sen
ate l was associated with him upon
committees. Quiet and undemonstra-
tive rs he was in committee, rarely
giving more than terse reason Tor MS
action, have never met q gentleman
whose opinions commanded higher re-
spect than did his.
My colleague Mr.. Hill has said that
the State of New York mourns this
Virginian, Mr.. Barbour. That is true,
for Mr.. Barbour, in his plain way, was
conservative in respect to the political,
economic and financial questions which
have agitated the country. He had
come to be regarded by the people OF
the State which / have the honor in
part to represent, as q conservative
man in no sense theorist; man VINO
believed in property and the rights of
property, in person and the rights of
person, who was never in favor OF
trampling them down.
We may say of this class of men that
in times of political or of party excite
ment, when wild theories are obtaining
foothold, they are the sheet an,
Choir of safety; they are a powerful
restraining force, who are not car
ried away either by excitement or
a desire to achieve or hold leadership, but are
content in their own way to discharge their
duties honestly and faithfully, and willing to
wait until the storm blows over for their re-
ward.
Associated, as I have been with Mr.. Bar
bour in the other and in this branch OF Con-
gress and in committees during his whole ca
reer here l had learned to know him quite
well. Belonging to opposite parties. l
representing a money centre that proyokes
great antagonism from other parts of the I'm
ion, and he representing State somewhat OPP
posed to it, we were not infrequently in con-
sutati0n in respect to measures, and came
to have the highest respect for his character,
for his sagacity, for his absolute purity of pur-
pose and his integrity of action.
Few men were less accustomed than Mr..
Barbour to watch the vane to discover which
way the wind was blowing. He had an inner
consciousness which guided him and which he
seem to feel was representative in its charac-
ter of the people whom he represented. and
that it was scarcely necessary for him to
watch to see whether he was i'll line with
their sentiments or not
Socially he was pleasant, agreeable, kindly,
and cndcared himself to those with whom he
came in contact.
He was a man who, when he died, the senti-
ment was not one Of Indifference on the part
of those who knew him but of absolute and
unqualified regret. The young men who
read history and mark the career of public
men as the guide and inspiration of their own
course. may well study his character and life
record as al illustration of what surely comes
to those who do not trust to genius, to their
power Of persuasion, to 4 subtle ability to di
rect forces which may be marshalled to pro-
mote political advancement that We common
" designate rs wire pulling. As an illustration
that the highest honors fall to the plain, un
man whose guide is his conf
mon sense and his conscience.