Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-02-07

the family, and before physician
could reach him the soul of my friend
was with his Maker-so suddenly he
passed away that only those around
him knew he was sick.
The lightning bore the sad news to
the country, and there was no part of
his State that did not mourn the death
of this great and good man.
He was the friend of the needy. He
was the counselor of all in distress. His
purse was always opened to help the
virtuous poor, and the cry Of mourn
ing at his death came up from the cot
tagc of the poor rs well as the dwell
Ing of the rich.
When his funeral obsequies were OBJ
served in this Chamber all parts of his
State sent representatives to testify to
the high character of the honored dead.
The chief magistrate and the execu-
tive officers were here. Towns. cities,
and counties sent their representatives
to show how well they loved him and
how much they mourned his death.
His distinguishing characteristic was
wisdom. He was eminently a wise
man. He was man of affairs. He
understood human nature, and the mo-
tives which moved men to action. He
measured up to Seneca's definition,
"Wisdom does not show itselfso much
in precept as in life, in firmnes of mind,
and mastery appetite. 1t teaches us
to do as well as talk, and to make ones
actions and words all of q color"
In the language of Longfellow, Ripe
in wisdom was he. but patientand SIM
pie and childlike."
knew him long and well. For more
than forty years | knew John S. Bar
bour. For the last twenty-five years OF
his life I knew him intimately. We
were close friends. mourn his death.
Our paths through life ran side by side.
He succeeded me in the House of Rep
resentatives. | succeeded him here. l,
much more than any Senator feel his
loss.
His life was singularly pure and up
right. He filled many high and re-
sponsible offices and always filled them
well. No one ever suspected him OF
any breach of trust. He voluntarily
laid them down. He was never dis
charged.
His intercourse with his fellow-men
was ever marked by courtesy and kind
ness. He had no enemies. Those who
knew John S. Barbour as public man
respected and honored him for his pub
lie virtues, his patriotic devotion to
rirht and the hiph sense of honor that
crowned his every public act.
His character shonc brightest in the
home circle where he was the honored
and considerable head. He was the at
fectiouate husband, the tender friend,
and the hosptable and genial host. No
one ever dispensed a more thorough
hospitality.
Daingerlield, of Alexandria, Va, who
was one of the lovliest characters | ever
knew and in every sense of the word
his helpmate. She preceded him few
years to the grave. He was to her the
tender and alfectionate husband. She
was to him the devoted wife.
From this Chamber he was borne by
loving hands to his grave at the home
stead of his wife in Maryland and
buried by her side. He lies on the
banks Of this beautiful river, which
alone separates him in death from his
loved Virginia.
1t is no invidious distinction to say
that no Senator has been buried from
this Chamber more respected than SEN
ator Barbour-none ever served his
constituents more faithfully. No
shadow dims the luster of his long Ca
reer, no suspicion mars the complete
ness of his integrity. Lilies vain pa
rade is over He walked with throngs
OF good friends; now at last he is call
ed to pass alone the dread portals OF
DEATH "Well done, thou good and
faithful servant; enter upon thy re-
ward"
Senator Barbour had not united him
self with any church, but he was re-
ligous man. His soul was filled with
charity, the chief of the Christian vir-
tues. If good deeds furnish passport
TO eternal rest, John S. Barbour is now
enjoying his reward. While we mourn
his death let us resolve to initiate his
,,irtues and emulate his rood deeds.