New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-06-18

The death Of William Walter Phelps will be
widely recognized at home and abroad as ue-
plorable loss TO the country which he pr"Iou"u'!
loved and had long served with uh"aNori"s
fidelity scadfast Republican In sentiment
aud conviction and resolutc and sKlltui lcauer
in the counsels and contests OF MS parry,
he quickly won and 10 the last re'a'""
the confidence and admiration OF his "">I
strenuous political antagonists. lie lou"u
keen enjoyment in the honorable S'I"o
which he believed led through victory OF ueI'a'
toward final goal Of good, but no man III Pun"
lie life more diligently cultivated ana h'oI'
fondly treasured the flowers OF frehdSuip
which grow over party walls lie WIS as in-
capable Of chcrishing a resentment as OF SUI
rendering principle He cvinced at all u'l'S
the courage Of his deliberate judgment, Dui ne
WAS never betrayed into haSiy assumptions ana
there was not trace of arrogance or "pS'n"''
IN his confident support of cause III VINO" III
had enlisted. Conscious as he certainly inuH'
have been that he possessed an unuSuai equip
ment for political controversy he never Pr'SSeu
an advantage ungencrouSly or stopped 10 gam
point by indircction None will mourn him more
sincerely than those who In eager ana deler-
mined strife on many fields have found him
worthy Of their highest powers
Mr. Phelps was born 10 fortune and 10 IN
fuence but he early recognized the roSPo"S'-
hi,itv which such cndowmcnts impose ana
throughout his life he measured his obligations
by his opportunities Unlike many sons OF rich
| mon. he discerned in the advantages OF pos''l""
which he enjoyed an imperative reason Tor TURN
! ing them to the best account. The dehgh's Oh
companionship and Of popularity did not allure
him into Incidence or frivolliy. ii" WIS
| scholor In college as he was a man Of thought
| and action IN the great world which he soon en-
tered The genera; preparation for career
| ubicb was destined 10 be conspicuous and the
more specific training for professional WORK
wore 70 him n serious business which he w"uiu
have been ashamed 10 ncgec'. lhus soI'l'""S
l., onnIving 70 the development Of his natural
movers all the educational facilities AT ms con-
| mand he qualified himself - assume with ease
and satisfaction the diverse ana important
,r,s,s which speedily devolved upon him. lh'S
early fidelity TO obligations when ofNh resi-
| TIGHTLY even on those 10 whom Indifference u
wellnlph certain 10 be far more costly remained
the inviolabe rule Of hi life. II Is worth re-
calling now not only as a characteristic Dut as
an cxampl,
That Mr. Phelps was amply fitted for the
| nroctice OF the law his swift success htt'S's
Rut while interest IN his profession was S'lI'
fresh and keen. and when his right 70 cXpcc' is
highest prizes had been demonstrated. ne 'NA''
ing cares incident 10 the management 81 'H'
oreat estate beducathcl 10y his father AMI 'h'
CONSEQUENT incurrencc OF manifold r'spohNipI'
tics for others demanded more and more ~ MS
time and strength and before long compelled mn
IN Withdraw. not without deep regret. from a''
i've practice at the bar Doubtless also N ap'i
this time he bcga1 10 feel strongly the hitra'
lions Of public lfe and TO rcaliz" The poSs'h'I'
tics az service and Of distinction which polite
offered 10 n mar of his qualities ana position
AcceDting a nomination 10 Congress NV" "
,hree veors later from his ncighbOrs In Norihrrl
Ncw.Jcrscy he made a brilliant canvass WA
triumphantly elected and 50 entered upon III
: laborjous. useful and distinguished career Whlc
has inst closed in honor and tranquility. III
record OF his public services is 10 he FOUND "N'
d where in his paper In this plac" we can Il
ma more than emphasize for gratitude and emit
latiou his ardent patriotism, his for'iiude III III
c face Of opposition and misjudgment, ana III
unsclfshncSS with which hc sirovc I" realize III
r high ideal Of fidelity 10 the common welfare
. He believed that the people had risht 10 con
= mand the time and talents OF any cltlzch I'D
he spared 10 effort 10 satisfy their claim IL
turning from post of high hohor ap'"'u'
accepted without hesitation Judicial once
;, home which merely offered an opportunity Il
y usefulness without distinction. thus cXhlbitln
re once more. and unhappily for the last time, II
- rare obedience TO n sense OF duty.
~ We should do injustice TO our own fcrhhl
" not less than TO the feelings OF host OF o,h'1
'r who mourn for Mr.. Phelps if we failed 10 tcsti'
he 10 the depth and tenderness OF his nature. 4
possesscd rich store CT affection ana syihph'i
on which all who knew him drew AZ VIII, WI
- full assurance that their drafts would never
II dlshonored. Not on friends alone but whereV
a he detected the need Of assistance or OF cohSoi
n ton he bestowed the best gifts in his keepih
ir He won in life the only reward he wanted d
. the tribute Of tears which would nave sric''
- him must follow hini to his grave