The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-07-15
NO COMMONPLACE EuLoGY.
"A Wife's Public Tribute to Her Dead
Husband Over His Grave.

The following funeral Grafton was re-
ceht!y pronounced by Mrs. Turner over
the Douy OF her husband. Hon. Isaac NJ.
Turner, OF Grand Rapids. Mich. who
died OF consumption after a Lnxersng H.
ness. There were no other funeral ex-
ercasas:
i feel that I must say a word here
above the bier OF my dead hero, for ALI
that Is best In life owe 10 him. While
living he was for all, but being dead he
Is mine alone. Then would speak. for
many of you here were friends of his,
and through him only, friends OF mime
You who knew him In his professional
or pubic life. knew him TO love and eS-
TEEN. / know from your presence here;
but / think that i. must have been that
he was at his best In his private life. In
his home, with his friends, In his library,
was certainly where he found LIES fullest
meaning and highest enjoyment. And II
In public life he ever found IL necessary
10 be stern or appear harsh. yet 1t was
his nature TO be kind and gentle; for he
was ever a lover of little children, lover
and protector Of all domestic pets. lover
OF flowers and forests, and of that gentle
mystic mood OF nature OF which his fav-
orite poets sang so eloquently. Perhaps
he did not possess the technicalities of
exact scholarship, yet ne was a profound
student In many departments of research:
ne was familiar with the wide sweep and
tendencies OF nature. as we'll as wath Dts
more particular phases. He was a lover
OF the literature OF all ages and nations.
1t was "A maxim with HIM that in
knowledge OF universal literature WAS to
be found the widest culture.
.'fIis Anglo-Saxon blood made him a
fearless lover of the truth, and a fearless
advocate of the rights OF the individual.
With him ths human soul IN Its fun IN
tegrity should acknowledge no authority
either 40 church or state. except indeed
10 fsnfaf y svrs n
upon for iths good OF all. Yet, claiming
this pre-eminent position for himself, you
would not find a man more modest ana
more considerable for others.
His life was cast upon generous
mould. his love and sympathy were as
wide as humanity. his interest as wide
as nature. The less fortunate in life
found In him a true friend and helper. and
he was the peer OF many upon their own
limited platform.
..He was made of the stun from which
heroes are made. IL was ever his St 10
struggle. Il was his 10 endure, and IL was
his 10 attain. To struggle 10 endure 10
attain: that makes the cycle OF human
life. and his was not incomplete, thodgn
his forty-three years seemed all 100 snort.
"During the fifteen years OF our welded
,,sa thars has never been "A winter nor
s,,r,roar gone by. but at the turning oil
tba seasons / have heard the rustiing al
the robes of the angel OF death. The shad-
ow of her wing has been over us at al
times. There has never been fohd am
hilton for this worlds fair prospects but
has been gently shrouded on her breast
NV sorrow is great. but II is without Dit
teruesx. except in so far as contrltion ana
rsr,or.e will come with the recollection
-. y ,,ivh, have been more tender and
,n,,,g "a one whose life was so unequally
matched with fate.
.sr cannot stand here above the wreck OF
-. ,,urh oroufse and say that / believe
e., a. Ga the will OF Providence. for do
10, God does not viii such heartrending
,h,nrs I can take no comfort IN the plat-
tuss that the mysteries OF providence are
mast human understanding. humanity IL
re has been intrusted with the hlgh
.sua,,,e-o ~ working Out It's own salvation,
"a =, Ga humanity's part TO see that such
s.,,..,,solshIe things do not happen Illus
r,arf.v by investigation. research ana st-
1la. ,,,,,st fulnr the destiny stamped upon
t.s brow. To base my faith upon the pos
.,,,.sa that somewhere AT some uthe ~
,sa universe this must be compensated Il
an unsuhstantial position, Tor theFe y no
- "~,ocarsatton. There can be none, except
a. e. Gar as human EFFORT can prevent the
t -. az such uutimely occurrences
70, seen no, for him, for all has ended
-. waeo for me and for mine, II
Ia IN, r,,u, hut weep not Cor him, Tor MS
~; you ~, an, upon triumphant lines No
nv i.tai Gard ever died ut his post OF
lihpot. -, ,,oeIv than ala our hero. and
GUY -. "a, hgs life may stiil be a hope
: 81, = g inspiration TO me. and not a mere .,.
,,,s-oorv. however sweet ana sacFs>i 20.
vii always be. Weep not ler n', - -
W.. ..os.t 5trre. Let no minor strains OF
no ~. ..,.s,,,nanv the flight OF his spirit.
we 81, no, ~av dust 20 dust and ashes
we - hut life 20 life and spirit 10 spirit
10 49, -, sor him. for say his life has
W. o,,t unen triumphant lines. and let
sorI triumphant chords weave "a, s,s
Ss,-r,, that would echo the flight OF ms
xotfl"